If you love a tasty and easy dinner, you should try making General Tso’s chicken in a slow cooker. This recipe gives you all the delicious flavors of the classic dish without the fuss. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy tender chicken with a sweet and savory sauce right in your own home.
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Slow cooking lets the chicken soak up all the flavors, making it a perfect choice for busy days. You’ll come home to a warm, hearty meal that’s ready to serve. This dish pairs well with rice or veggies, making it great for the whole family.
Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy recipe. Cooking General Tso’s chicken in a slow cooker is a fun way to bring a popular restaurant dish into your kitchen!
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Recipe Overview
This recipe gives you a tasty and easy way to make General Tso’s Chicken in a slow cooker. You will learn about its history, key ingredients, and the delicious flavors that make this dish popular.
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History of General Tso’s Chicken
General Tso’s Chicken is a famous Chinese dish in America, though it’s not as popular in China. It is named after a Chinese general, Tso Tsung-t’ang, who lived in the 19th century.
Many believe the dish was created in the United States in the 1970s by chefs trying to cater to American tastes.
Originally, General Tso’s Chicken was not made with the sweet and spicy sauce we know today.
The recipe has evolved over time, using fried chicken pieces tossed with a thick, flavorful sauce. Today, it remains a favorite in Chinese restaurants across the country.
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Key Ingredients
When making General Tso’s Chicken, you’ll need several key ingredients:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best for a juicy texture.
- Sauce: Soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar are essential for flavor.
- Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce.
- Cornstarch: This helps thicken the sauce and gives the chicken a nice coating.
- Garlic and Ginger: Fresh garlic and ginger add depth to the flavor.
You can customize the ingredients to fit your taste. Adding vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers can make it more nutritious. You’ll enjoy a hearty dish that’s simple to make.
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Flavor Profile
The flavor of General Tso’s Chicken is a mix of sweet, spicy, and savory. The sauce is thick and glossy, coating each piece of chicken perfectly.
The combination of soy sauce and hoisin gives it a salty and sweet flavor. Brown sugar adds sweetness, while ginger and garlic provide heat and depth. You can also adjust the spice level with red pepper flakes for a little kick.
The end result is a rich, tasty dish that’s great with rice or noodles. You will find that each bite is full of bold flavors that make this dish a favorite for many.
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General Tso’s Slow Cooker Chicken
Preparation Steps
Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need:
- 2 pounds of chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1/2 cup of soy sauce
- 1/3 cup of brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, minced
- Chili flakes, to taste
- 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes. In another bowl, combine cornstarch with a little water to make a slurry. This will help thicken the sauce later.
Slow Cooking Process
Place the chicken in your slow cooker. Pour the soy sauce mixture over the chicken. Stir well to coat all the pieces evenly. Drizzle sesame oil on top for added flavor.
Set your slow cooker on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours. Check the chicken for tenderness. It should easily shred with a fork when cooked. If the sauce looks thin, add the cornstarch slurry, stir, and cook for another 30 minutes until it thickens.
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Serving Suggestions
Once your chicken is ready, it’s time to serve! Use a slotted spoon to scoop out the chicken, leaving excess sauce behind. Serve it hot over steamed rice or fried rice for a complete meal.
You can also garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds to make it look even more delicious. Serve alongside steamed broccoli or another vegetable for a balanced plate. Enjoy your homemade General Tso’s Chicken!
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