Ground General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Ground General Tso’s Chicken is a quicker, easier take on the classic takeout favorite. Using ground chicken creates a flavorful, crispy base paired with a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce that clings to every bite. It’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 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. Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and diced water chestnuts. Let the chicken cook undisturbed until a good crust forms on one side, then break the chicken apart with a spatula and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until fully cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add the minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir and cook for about 10 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
4. Step 4: Pour the General Tso’s sauce into the pan with the chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, for a few seconds until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken well.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite vegetables.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, cook the ground chicken on high heat without stirring for a few minutes to develop a crunchy crust before breaking it up.
• Swap ground chicken for ground turkey or pork depending on your preference.
• Add more crushed red pepper flakes if you like your dish spicier.
• Try tossing in chopped green onions or steamed broccoli for added texture and color.

Storage

Store leftover General Tso’s Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce to keep the recipe gluten-free.

Is it necessary to use water chestnuts?

Water chestnuts add a nice crunch, but you can omit them or substitute with chopped celery or bell peppers for texture.

Ground General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 88 reviews

This Ground General Tso’s Chicken recipe offers a flavorful and quick twist on the classic dish by using ground chicken combined with crunchy water chestnuts. The savory sauce, made from soy, hoisin, and rice vinegar, creates a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Ideal for a fast stovetop meal, this dish is delicious served over rice or noodles.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Chinese-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 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 Ground Chicken and Water Chestnuts: Heat 1 tablespoon of 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 before breaking it apart. Then, use a spatula to break apart the meat and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until fully cooked through.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Once the chicken is cooked, add the minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir and cook for about 10 seconds until fragrant to build flavor.
3. Prepare General Tso’s Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, sugar, and cornstarch to create a smooth sauce mixture.
4. Combine and Thicken Sauce: Pour the prepared General Tso’s sauce into the pan with the chicken mixture. Bring it to a boil, stirring continuously. Cook for just a few seconds until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and water chestnuts evenly. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Notes

• You can serve this Ground General Tso’s Chicken over steamed white rice, brown rice, or noodles for a complete meal.
• Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to your spice preference; omit for a milder dish.
• If you prefer a gluten-free dish, substitute soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
• Make sure to cook the chicken thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• For added vegetables, try tossing in broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas during the sauce step.

Keywords: Ground General Tso’s Chicken, Quick Chinese Chicken Recipe, Easy Stir Fry, Spicy Chicken, Ground Chicken Stir Fry