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Ground General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

4.7 from 129 reviews

This Ground General Tso’s Chicken recipe offers a flavorful, easy-to-make alternative to the classic dish, featuring ground chicken cooked with water chestnuts for crunch and tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy General Tso’s sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines savory ginger, garlic, and a hint of crushed red pepper to pack a punch of authentic Chinese-American flavors in a simple skillet preparation.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Mixture

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 8 ounces canned water chestnuts, diced
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

General Tso’s Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Cook Chicken and Water Chestnuts: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and diced water chestnuts. Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed until a good crust forms on the bottom, then break it apart with a spatula and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until fully cooked through.
  2. Add Aromatics and Spice: Add the minced ginger, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan. Cook everything together for about 10 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Prepare General Tso’s Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, sugar, and cornstarch until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  4. Combine and Thicken Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the pan with the chicken mixture. Bring it to a boil while stirring continuously. The sauce will thicken within a few seconds, coating the chicken evenly. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a splash of chili oil.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or pork instead of chicken for different flavors.
  • Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Make sure to whisk the sauce ingredients well to avoid lumps from cornstarch.
  • Do not overcook garlic to prevent bitterness; add it right at the end with ginger and spices.

Keywords: General Tso's chicken, ground chicken recipe, Chinese American chicken dish, easy stir-fry, quick dinner