General Tso’s Chicken from Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees (Gluten-Free)

Welcome to the Mid-Autumn Festival Blog Feast celebrating the award-winning cookbook, Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho. I am honored to be part of the team cooking recipes from this book and it is my privilege to share Kian’s General Tso’s Chicken recipe with you.

Mid-Autumn is the second most important celebration after Chinese New Year in the Chinese holiday calendar. It is a chance for families to enjoy the harvest moon by sharing a feast together. Today’s recipe is Tso Good! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist) This version is luxurious, decadent and indulgent – just what you want in any great meal. It is so good, quick, and easy – this is going to become one of our family’s favorite meals!

I was incredibly lucky to be invited to a private event in Los Angeles where Kian Lam Kho prepared a dish for us, teaching us the techniques of Chinese wok cooking that he honed over many years.

Working with precision and great skill, he explained each step of the preparation, how to cut the ingredients so they cook perfectly, the trick of par-cooking the proteins and adding them back at the end to finish cooking, and the history behind unique names for dishes on Chinese menus … in the title of the book, Phoenix Claws refers to chicken feet and Jade Trees are broccoli. 

A couple of days later I was thrilled to be seated right behind Kian when he won the prestigious Julia Child First Book Award at the annual International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) conference. It is always such fun to see people you know win!

There is so much history and knowledge in this book – it will change the way you think about Chinese food. From the explanations about ingredients to historical references, you are transported to another fascinating land and cuisine. Mesmerizing is not too strong a description!

General Tso’s Chicken has a varied and curious history, with many people taking credit along the way. Kian explains: “This version of General Tso’s Chicken resembles the original created by Peng Chang-Kuei in Taiwan. Strictly speaking it is not a traditional Hunan dish, but the technique and flavors are inspired by the chef’s Hunan background. It is not as sweet as the standard American version, and is laced with lots of garlic.”

One of the tricks that Kian teaches us is to par-cook the chicken first, frying it in vegetable oil then setting aside to drain. This helps the tapioca coating stay crispy longer and the chicken doesn’t get overcooked while you’re waiting for everything else to cook through. If you are new to Chinese cooking, be sure to check out his article on how to stock your kitchen with the basics to be able to make a wide variety of dishes.

Kian’s gorgeous cookbook allows you to recreate all of his beautiful recipes in your own home because Kian provides all the information, hints, and clues you need to get perfection every time!

The Anolon Nouvelle Copper 12-inch Stir Fry pan I used to make the chicken, has a multi-layer metal base with a copper core that creates even and quick heating for all your cooking needs. It is deep enough for easy frying without splattering, the non-stick surface keeps everything from sticking during cooking, and can be used in a myriad of ways. It is a true workhorse in my kitchen!

This General Tso’s Chicken is a dish your whole family will love – I hope you make it soon!

 

How to make General Tso’s Chicken:

1. Marinate the chicken and combine the sauce ingredients
2. Fry the dredged chicken pieces in hot oil until golden and drain on paper towels
3. Make the sauce in the same pan, sautéing the garlic, ginger, and chiles; add the sauce ingredients and cook until thickened
4. Return chicken pieces to the sauce and toss to coat evenly
5. Scoop portions onto serving plates and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions

 

I don’t have black vinegar in my pantry, what can I use instead?

If you can’t find black vinegar locally, you can approximate the flavor by using the same amount of balsamic vinegar + 1/4 tsp smoked paprika.

 

PRO Tip:

Shaoxing rice wine is a common ingredient in many Chinese dishes and its unmistakable fragrance and flavor enhances anything you add it to. The closest substitution is a high-quality dry sherry, sake, or mirin. But if you can, buy a bottle either online or at a Chinese market (Tai Jade Michiu by TTL is gluten-free and made in a rice-only facility). If you love making Asian dishes at home, you should keep a bottle in your pantry!

 

Key Ingredients for this Recipe

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Shaoxing cooking wine, dry sherry, sake, or mirin (see Pro Tip above)
• Egg
• Chicken stock
• Black vinegar (see Pro Tip above)
• Soy sauce (gluten-free if needed
• Hoisin sauce (gluten-free if needed)
• Tapioca starch/flour
• Sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Fresh garlic, ginger, and dried red chiles
• Sesame oil
• Sesame seeds and sliced green onions

 

Kitchen Tools I Use to Make This Recipe (affiliate links)

• Mixing bowl
• Chef’s knife
• Baking sheet
• Wok or stir-fry pan
• Silicone whisk
• Tongs

 

Gluten-Free Tips:

You can buy it (Joyce Chen’s brand is a good choice) or make gluten-free hoisin sauce – and there are a wide range of recipes available online. Kikkoman and San-J both make gluten-free soy sauce which you can use to make your hoisin!

 

 

If you love this recipe, be sure to follow me on social media so you never miss a post:

| Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter |

 

Create a New Tradition Today!

 

Keep in touch with Kian on Social Media: Pinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter 

 

This post was first shared in September 2016 and was updated in 2020.

Welcome! The suggestions here are not intended as dietary advice or as a substitute for consulting a dietician, physician, or other medical professional. Please see the Disclaimers/Privacy Policy page for additional details. Unauthorized use, distribution, and/or duplication of proprietary material from The Heritage Cook without prior approval is prohibited. If you have any questions or would like permission, please contact me. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This page may contain affiliate links.