Empress Chicken is a delicious Chinese-American dish featuring crispy fried chicken coated in a rich, sweet, and spicy sauce. It has a perfect balance of flavors, making it a favorite for takeout lovers. This dish is similar to General Tso’s Chicken but often has a thicker, tangier sauce with a slightly more complex flavor profile. Serve it with steamed rice and vegetables for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy, golden-brown chicken with a bold, flavorful sauce
- A great alternative to takeout, made fresh at home
- Easily customizable for spice level and sweetness
- Pairs well with rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables
- Perfect for meal prep and reheating
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- Cornstarch
- Egg
- All-purpose flour
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Hoisin sauce
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Sesame oil
- Red pepper flakes or dried chili peppers
- Chicken broth
- Green onions
- Cooking oil for frying
Directions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix cornstarch and flour. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg.
- Coat the chicken: Dip the chicken pieces in the egg, then dredge them in the flour mixture until fully coated.
- Fry the chicken: Heat oil in a pan to 350°F and fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Make the sauce: In a separate pan, heat sesame oil and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Combine everything: Toss the fried chicken into the sauce, stirring to coat evenly. Cook for a couple of minutes until the sauce clings to the chicken.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve hot with rice or noodles.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Spicier Version: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for more heat.
- Healthier Option: Bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep frying.
- Vegetarian Twist: Use tofu or cauliflower instead of chicken.
- Sweeter Sauce: Increase brown sugar or add a touch of honey.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and a gluten-free flour blend.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring in between.
FAQs
How is Empress Chicken different from General Tso’s Chicken?
Empress Chicken has a thicker, more tangy sauce, whereas General Tso’s is slightly spicier with a thinner glaze.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work well and add extra juiciness to the dish.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce and fry the chicken separately, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
What oil is best for frying?
Neutral oils like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil work best.
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What can I serve with Empress Chicken?
Steamed rice, fried rice, stir-fried vegetables, or noodles are great side options.
Is this dish very spicy?
It has a mild kick, but you can adjust the spice level to your liking.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Simmer the sauce longer or add a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with water).
Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Yes, bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas make great additions.
Does this recipe work with an air fryer?
Yes, air-fry the coated chicken at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Conclusion
Empress Chicken is a flavorful and satisfying dish that brings the taste of takeout to your home kitchen. With its crispy texture and bold sauce, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you like it spicy, sweet, or with added veggies, this recipe is easily adaptable to suit your preferences. Try it today for an easy yet impressive meal.
PrintEmpress Chicken Recipe
Empress Chicken is a crispy, sweet, and slightly spicy dish coated in a rich, flavorful sauce. Similar to General Tso’s or Orange Chicken, this takeout favorite is perfect with rice or stir-fried veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-Fry, Deep-Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup water
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice level)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
For Garnish:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with water.
- Dip chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then coat them in the flour mixture.
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy (about 4-5 minutes per batch). Drain on a paper towel.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens (about 2 minutes).
- Toss the fried chicken in the sauce until fully coated.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or vegetables.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken by frying once at 325°F and again at 375°F.
- Adjust spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
- Serve with broccoli or bell peppers for added texture.