General Tso Chicken Recipe

General Tso’s Chicken is saucy, juicy and crispy. The signature sauce is thick and loaded with flavor. If you are a die-hard orange chicken fan, you must try this dish! Make it all in one dish in the comfort of your home for a sweet and spicy treat!

Hi there! My name is Natalya and I run the blog Momsdish. If you already follow me, you know I can’t get enough of easy meals that require simple ingredients. My family loves ordering in Chinese takeout, but lately, I’ve been having a blast recreating my favorite dishes at home.

Not only is homemade “takeout” healthier, but you’ll save money. That’s a win-win in my book. Let’s get started!

General Tso’s Chicken is a Chinese-American dish of fried chicken pieces that are breaded and tossed in a tangy sauce. This dish is very similar in style to sesame or orange chicken. But, like in much of Chinese food, it’s the sauce that makes each dish unique.

Typically, General Tso’s Chicken is served with a bed of steamed rice and a side of steamed broccoli. If you want to make a full spread of takeout favorites, try your hand at making some chow mein too. Don’t forget the chopsticks!

general tso chicken recipe

General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

general tso chicken recipe

General Tso’s Chicken is a Chinese takeout go-to. Make it all in one dish in the comfort of your home for a sweet and spicy treat!

Prep: 15min

Total: 30min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 386 kcal, Carbohydrate 18 g, Protein 20 g, Fat 26 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Trans Fat 0.1 g, Cholesterol 111 mg, Sodium 502 mg, Fiber 0.4 g, Sugar 7 g, unSaturated Fat 18 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 2 lb chicken thighs (trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 1/2 cup corn starch
  • 1/4 cup extra light olive oil (for frying, plus more as needed)
  • 2 tbsp minced ginger (from a 2-inch piece of ginger)
  • 3 cloves garlic (or 1 Tbsp grated or finely minced)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or added to taste)
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 5 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp rice vinegar (or more to taste)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 4 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch

Instruction:

  1. Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. Toss chicken in batches with cornstarch, tapping off the excess. Set dredged chicken on a platter and set aside.
  2. In a separate dish, combine all the ingredients for your sauce and whisk to combine.
  3. Preheat a non-stick skillet with oil. Cook chicken in 2 to 3 batches, sauteeing until golden on both sides and cooked through then remove the chicken from the pan and transfer to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining chicken, adding more oil as needed. Leave at least 1 Tbsp oil in the pan.
  4. Add the garlic, ginger and pepper flakes. Sautee for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
  5. Add the sauce to the skillet and bring it to a simmer while stirring. Let it simmer for 1 minute to cook off the vinegar a little. Taste the sauce and add more soy sauce or rice vinegar to taste if desired. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Serve garnished with sesame seeds if desired.

How to Make Takeout Icon General Tso’s Chicken

FAQ

What is General Tso’s sauce made of?

The sauce for General Tso’s chicken is so simple to make with pantry staple ingredients: rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, sugar, and some corn starch to thicken the sauce. Simply add the ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.

What is General Tso Chicken batter made of?

This General Tso’s chicken uses cornstarch batter for a crisp, golden brown coating. Frying the chicken twice makes it extra crispy. A spicy, sweet soy sauce mixture with ginger and garlic adds incredible flavor.

What is typically in General Tso?

What is the difference between orange chicken and General Tso? Orange chicken is crispy fried with a fruity, sweet, and tangy sauce that’s caramelized into a glaze. General Tso is stir-fried in a sweet, sour, and spicy umami sauce.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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