Mia Patel
General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese-American dish that features crispy, twice-fried breaded chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and sticky glaze made with garlic, sugar, soy sauce, and chiles. The dish is typically served with steamed broccoli and rice. While some recipes suggest using white rice, others recommend wholegrain brown rice or fried rice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of rice | Steamed rice, preferably white rice |
| Rice brand | BEN'S ORIGINAL™ Wholegrain Brown Rice or BEN'S ORIGINAL™ CONVERTED™ Brand Rice |
| Rice ingredients | Rice wine vinegar, water, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, cornstarch |
| Rice preparation | Cook rice according to package directions without butter or salt |
| Rice serving suggestion | Serve General Tso's Chicken on a bed of rice with steamed broccoli and garnish with green onions |
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What You'll Learn
General Tso's Chicken and steamed white rice
General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese-American dish that features deep-fried chicken tossed in a sticky, sweet, and spicy glaze made with garlic, sugar, soy sauce, and chilis. The dish is typically served with a side of steamed broccoli and a bed of rice. While there are no strict rules about the type of rice to use, steamed white rice is a popular choice. Here are some reasons why steamed white rice is a great option to serve with General Tso's Chicken:
Firstly, white rice is a versatile and neutral-tasting canvas that complements the bold flavours of the dish. The simplicity of steamed white rice allows the rich and complex sauce of General Tso's Chicken to shine. The mild flavour of white rice also helps to balance the spiciness of the dish, providing a soothing contrast.
Secondly, steamed white rice has a soft and fluffy texture that pairs well with the crispy, fried exterior of the chicken. The tenderness of the rice creates a pleasant textural contrast, making each bite more interesting and enjoyable.
Additionally, white rice is widely available and affordable, making it a convenient choice for those seeking a cost-effective option. It is also quick and easy to prepare, which aligns with the overall convenience of a takeout-style dish like General Tso's Chicken.
When serving General Tso's Chicken with steamed white rice, it is recommended to prepare the rice just before the chicken is ready. This ensures that the rice is hot and freshly cooked when served. It is also important to note that General Tso's Chicken is best enjoyed immediately after cooking, as the sauce tends to absorb into the crispy chicken, making it soggy if left too long.
While steamed white rice is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other types of rice according to your preference. Some alternatives include wholegrain brown rice, fried rice, or spiced sesame rice—each offering a unique flavour and texture profile to accompany the flavours of General Tso's Chicken. Ultimately, the type of rice you choose should enhance your dining experience and suit your personal taste.
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Fried rice as a side dish
Fried rice is a classic Chinese dish that is often served as a side with General Tso's Chicken. It is a great way to use up leftover rice and frozen vegetables. The best thing about fried rice is its versatility, as it can be customised with various ingredients to suit individual tastes and preferences.
To make fried rice, you can use leftover cooked rice or freshly cooked rice that has been spread out on a plate or sheet pan and refrigerated. For the vegetables, you can use frozen peas and carrots, or opt for fresh veggies like onions, garlic, scallions, and more. If using fresh vegetables, make sure to cook them until tender before adding the rice. You can also add some protein to your fried rice by incorporating eggs, tofu, or meat alternatives like tempeh.
To enhance the flavour of your fried rice, you can include seasonings such as soy sauce, kosher salt, ground white pepper, and toasted sesame oil. For an extra kick, add some chilli oil, oyster sauce, or hoisin sauce. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own sauce by whisking together rice vinegar, water, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and cornstarch.
Fried rice can be served alongside other side dishes to create a full and satisfying meal. Some classic pairings include Hot & Sour Soup, Garlic Green Beans, and Bok Choy. For a crunchy and healthy option, try the Edamame Cucumber Salad or the Japanese Spinach Salad (Goma-ae). If you're looking for something crispy, the Air Fryer Pork Belly or the Salt and Pepper Tofu are excellent choices.
Remember, when serving General Tso's Chicken with fried rice, it is recommended to enjoy the dish immediately as the sauce tends to absorb into the crispy outer layer, leaving the chicken soggy if it sits too long.
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Spiced sesame rice
General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese takeout classic, typically served with a bed of steamed rice and a side of steamed broccoli. The rice is often white, brown, or fried.
Now, here is a spiced sesame rice recipe that can be a great side dish with General Tso's Chicken.
This simple sesame rice recipe is a great way to add a nutty aroma and flavor to your meal. The magic ingredient is toasted sesame oil, which gives the rice a delicious, nutty fragrance and taste.
Ingredients
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Green onion, for garnish (optional)
Method
- Mince the garlic and add it to a medium sauce pot with the butter.
- Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes over medium heat, until it begins to soften and becomes fragrant.
- Add the rice to the pot and continue to stir and cook for 2-3 minutes to toast the rice.
- After toasting the rice, add water and bring it to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is tender. This should take about 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
- After resting, remove the lid and drizzle the toasted sesame oil over the cooked rice.
- Add the sesame seeds and gently fold the rice until the oil and seeds are evenly distributed.
- Garnish with green onion (optional) and serve warm.
This spiced sesame rice is a perfect, simple side dish to accompany the bold flavors of General Tso's Chicken.
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Wholegrain brown rice
General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese takeout classic that is typically served with steamed rice and a side of steamed broccoli. The rice used is often white rice, as seen in some recipes. However, wholegrain brown rice is also a great option to serve with this dish. BEN'S ORIGINAL™ offers a quick and easy solution with their Wholegrain Brown Rice, allowing you to create a delicious takeout-style meal at home in under 20 minutes.
To prepare the rice, simply follow the package directions and cook the rice without adding butter or salt. The amount of rice used can be customized, but a common measurement is 1 1/4 cups (300 mL) of wholegrain brown rice. This variety of rice provides a nutritious base for the flavoursome chicken and sauce.
The sauce for General Tso's Chicken is a key component, and it is made with rice wine vinegar, water, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and cornstarch. You can whisk these ingredients together and bring them to a boil to create a thick and flavourful sauce. The sauce should be simmered to reduce the vinegar taste, and you can adjust the seasoning by adding more soy sauce or rice vinegar to suit your preference.
After cooking the chicken, you can stir in the sauce and serve the dish over the prepared wholegrain brown rice. To enhance the flavours and presentation, consider garnishing with green onions, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes. This combination of wholegrain brown rice and General Tso's Chicken offers a convenient and tasty meal option, capturing the essence of a takeout experience in the comfort of your home.
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Rice vinegar in the sauce
General Tso's chicken is a Chinese takeout classic, often served with rice and broccoli. The sauce is a key component of this dish, and while recipes vary, it typically includes soy sauce, honey or sugar, chilli sauce, chicken broth, cornstarch, and rice vinegar.
Rice vinegar is an important ingredient in the sauce for General Tso's chicken. It adds a tangy, sharp flavour to the sauce, which is otherwise quite sweet due to the sugar or honey. The vinegar also helps to balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce. The acidity of the vinegar also acts as a tenderiser for the chicken, ensuring the meat is juicy and flavourful.
The amount of rice vinegar used can be adjusted to suit personal preference. Some recipes suggest bringing the sauce to a simmer and cooking it for a little longer to reduce the sharpness of the vinegar. Others recommend adding the vinegar to taste, allowing the cook to decide how much sharpness they want in the final sauce.
Rice vinegar is an essential ingredient in the sauce for General Tso's chicken, contributing to the overall flavour profile and helping to tenderise the meat. It is versatile enough to be adjusted or substituted to suit individual tastes.
General Tso's chicken is often served with fried rice, and Ben's Original offers a convenient option with their Wholegrain Brown Rice or CONVERTED™ Brand Rice. The fried rice can be made with leftover rice and frozen vegetables, and it is a great way to add more substance to the meal.
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Frequently asked questions
General Tso's Chicken is typically served with steamed white rice.
Yes, you could try serving it with fried rice, wholegrain brown rice, or spiced sesame rice.
General Tso's Chicken is often served with steamed broccoli and garnished with sliced green onions. For a larger banquet, you could also serve it with a fresh salad, leafy greens, or steamed greens with an Asian sesame dressing.
