General Tsao's Chicken

This recipe was voted one of the top 10 dishes in Columbus by Columbus Monthly Magazine, as prepared by Chef Paul Kaewprasart of the Siam Oriental Restaurant. I modified it slightly, and it goes great over white rice as a main dish for any number of people.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 842 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• ¼ cup water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 ½ teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• ½ cup hot chicken broth
• 2 cups chopped green onions
• 16 chile peppers, sun-dried

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

To Make Sauce: In a large bowl combine 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water. Mix together. Add garlic, ginger, sugar, 1/4 cup soy sauce and white wine vinegar. Then add chicken broth and monosodium glutamate and stir all together until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate until needed.

Step 2

To Prepare Chicken: In a separate bowl, combine chicken, 1/2 cup soy sauce and white pepper. Stir in egg. Add 1 cup cornstarch and stir until chicken is evenly coated. Add oil to help separate chicken pieces. Divide chicken into small quantities and deep fry at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Step 3

To Make Mixture: Place a small amount of oil in wok and heat until wok is hot. Add scallions and dried chile peppers and stir-fry briefly. Remove sauce from refrigerator and stir. Add sauce to wok. Then add fried chicken and cook until sauce thickens (add cornstarch or water as needed until sauce is as thick as you like it).