If you crave the lip-smacking, sweet-and-spicy magic of your favorite takeout, General Tso’s Chicken is about to become your go-to homemade sensation. Imagine irresistibly crispy chicken bites, wrapped in a glossy, tangy sauce that’s just the right combo of bold and comforting flavors. This dish is easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to wow your friends—trust me, once you make General Tso’s Chicken at home, those delivery apps will start collecting dust!

General Tso’s Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The simple ingredients in General Tso’s Chicken each play a starring role—from building up that impossibly crunchy coating to layering sweet, savory, and spicy notes in the sauce. Don’t skip a thing, because every element brings out that classic restaurant taste!

Chicken Thighs: Juicy, tender, and robust enough to hold up to deep frying and a bold sauce.
Cornstarch (for coating): The key to that signature crispy crust—don’t substitute with flour here!
Soy Sauce: Adds depth, umami, and a savory backbone to the sauce.
Rice Vinegar: Offers a little tang that cuts through the richness, brightening every bite.
Hoisin Sauce: The secret to sweet, slightly smoky complexity—don’t skip it.
Sugar: Balances the salty and tangy notes for that craveable glaze.
Cornstarch (for sauce): Thickens the sauce into a luscious, silky coating.
Chicken Broth or Water: Lends moisture and rounds out the sauce’s flavor.
Garlic: The aromatic foundation—fresh garlic makes all the difference here.
Ginger: Lively and spicy, it adds punch and warmth to the sauce.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For that gentle heat—add more or less to taste.
Vegetable Oil: Handles high-heat frying like a champ, delivering golden, crisp chicken.
Green Onions: Sprinkled on top for color and a refreshing crunch.
Sesame Seeds (optional): For a little visual flair and mild nuttiness in every bite.

How to Make General Tso’s Chicken

Step 1: Coat the Chicken

Crispy chicken is the heart of General Tso’s Chicken! Start by tossing your bite-sized chicken thigh pieces with the cornstarch until each piece is lightly dusted. You want an even coating, as it’s the secret to that signature crunch everyone loves.

Step 2: Fry to Perfection

Heat your vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high. Working in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan, fry the chicken until each nugget is golden and crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes. Set the cooked pieces aside on a paper towel-lined plate as you fry the rest.

Step 3: Mix an Unbeatable Sauce

In a small bowl, blend together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, one tablespoon of cornstarch, and chicken broth (or water). This sweet-salty-tangy blend is the flavor powerhouse behind General Tso’s Chicken.

Step 4: Sauté the Aromatics

With most of the oil removed from the pan, add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Sauté for about 30 seconds—just until fragrant and sizzling. Your kitchen will smell incredible at this point!

Step 5: Combine and Simmer

Pour in your mixed sauce and let everything bubble together. Drop the crispy chicken back into the pan, tossing well so every piece is totally coated. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, thickening the sauce into that familiar, glossy glaze.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Turn off the heat, sprinkle over the sliced green onions and sesame seeds (if using), and give everything a final toss. This is General Tso’s Chicken in all its sticky, shiny glory—ready for your plate!

How to Serve General Tso’s Chicken

Garnishes

Fresh green onions and a scatter of sesame seeds add bright color, crunch, and just a hint of nuttiness to your finished dish. They also make every serving feel restaurant-worthy—don’t be shy with those toppings!

Side Dishes

General Tso’s Chicken was made to shine alongside fluffy white rice, steamed jasmine rice, or even brown rice for a hearty, well-balanced meal. For extra color and crunch, add steamed broccoli, snap peas, or quick-stirred bok choy. You can’t go wrong with classic takeout favorites!

Creative Ways to Present

Feeling playful? Serve General Tso’s Chicken over crispy lettuce leaves for DIY wraps, spoon it into steamed bao buns, or pile it onto fried rice. For parties, thread crispy chicken and veggies onto skewers for a fun twist on finger food. Every bite is a burst of flavor, no matter how you plate it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra General Tso’s Chicken (rare, but possible!), let it cool before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days—the chicken stays flavorful, though it will lose some crispness.

Freezing

This dish can be frozen in individual portions or all together. Place cooled chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to one month for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

For best results, reheat General Tso’s Chicken in a hot oven or air fryer to revive that signature crispiness. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too (just cover loosely to prevent drying), though the coating will soften a bit.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breast works just fine, though thighs offer more moisture and flavor. If using breast, be sure not to overcook so the meat stays tender.

Is this recipe spicy?

General Tso’s Chicken is mildly spicy due to the optional red pepper flakes. If you love heat, feel free to add extra, or omit for a totally kid-friendly version.

How can I make this gluten-free?

Swap in certified gluten-free soy sauce (or tamari) and double-check your hoisin sauce. Everything else in the recipe should be naturally gluten-free—just be mindful of those two!

Can I bake or air fry the chicken?

Yes! For a lighter version, bake the coated chicken pieces at 425°F until crisp, or air fry at 400°F. You’ll trade a bit of crunch, but the sauce still makes every bite incredible.

What can I do if my sauce is too thick or too thin?

If the sauce thickens more than you’d like, simply stir in a splash of water or chicken broth until it loosens. If it’s too runny, simmer a minute extra or add a bit more cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water) to help it thicken.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something so satisfying about making General Tso’s Chicken in your own kitchen—a little sizzle, a luscious sauce, and a whole lot of flavor. Treat yourself (and your loved ones!) to this takeout favorite at home and get ready for happy, sticky-fingered smiles all around. Give it a try—you’ll see why it’s become such a beloved classic!

General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A delicious homemade version of the popular Chinese takeout dish, General Tso’s Chicken. Crispy chicken coated in a flavorful sauce with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
½ cup cornstarch

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for sauce)
¼ cup chicken broth or water

Additional Ingredients:

1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 green onions (sliced)
Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Coat the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with ½ cup cornstarch until evenly coated.
Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok, add the chicken in batches, and cook until golden and crispy.
Make the Sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and chicken broth.
Cook with Sauce: Sauté garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes, then add the sauce mixture. Simmer, add chicken, and cook until coated.
Finish and Garnish: Cook for a few more minutes, toss with green onions, and garnish with sesame seeds.

Notes

For a lighter version, consider baking or air-frying the chicken instead of pan-frying.
Serve General Tso’s Chicken with steamed rice and broccoli for a balanced meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Chinese-American