If I had to pick one dish that truly surprised me the first time I made it at home, it’s General Tso’s Chicken. I had always ordered it at restaurants, but I never thought I could recreate that bold, tangy, and slightly sweet taste in my own kitchen.

Believe me, this dish is so good that you will have to ditch takeout for good. Plus, making it yourself ensures you can adjust flavors to suit your taste. Trust me, the crispy chicken bathed in that glossy sauce is pure magic. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s now one of my go-to recipes for impressing family and friends!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create explosive flavors. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
½ cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour
1 large egg
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
½ cup chicken broth or water
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 cloves garlic
1 inch ginger
4–6 dried red chilies
2 green onions
Optional sesame seeds for garnish

Variations

You can customize General Tso’s Chicken to suit your dietary needs or preferences. Here are some alternatives and additions:

For a lighter option: Swap fried chicken for air-fried or baked chicken.
Vegetarian option: Replace chicken with tofu for a plant-based twist.
Extra veggies: Add broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for a crunchy and colorful addition. For a more diverse one-pot chicken recipe, you can also explore the Herb Roasted Chicken Breast with Vegetables Recipe.
Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free soy sauce and cornstarch in place of flour.

Cooking Time

Here’s how much time you’ll need to prepare this flavorful dish:

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Equipment You Need

Here are the tools that will make preparing General Tso’s Chicken hassle-free:

Wok or Deep Frying Pan: Perfect for frying the chicken and preparing the sauce.
Mixing Bowls: For marinating the chicken and whisking the sauce.
Whisk: To mix the sauce without lumps.
Tongs: To flip and transfer chicken pieces while frying.
Slotted Spoon: To remove chicken from oil safely.
Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: For cutting chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Measuring Spoons and Cups: To get precise quantities of ingredients.

How to Make General Tso’s Chicken?

Here’s how to cook General Tso’s Chicken in just a few simple steps. Once you get started, you’ll realize it’s easier than it sounds!

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Take your chicken pieces and season them with salt and pepper. Dip the chicken into the beaten egg, then coat each piece evenly with cornstarch or flour. Set the chicken aside while heating oil in a wok or pan for frying.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken

Heat enough oil in your wok to shallow fry the chicken pieces. Fry the chicken in small batches until golden brown and crispy. Remove the fried pieces using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, chicken broth, and sesame oil. Heat a tablespoon of oil in the same wok and sauté garlic, ginger, and dried chilies until fragrant. Pour in the sauce mixture and bring it to a simmer. Add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to thicken the sauce.

Step 4: Toss Everything Together

Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss to coat them evenly. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, ensuring the chicken is well coated and heated through.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the finished dish to a serving plate. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a professional touch. That’s it! Now you have your homemade General Tso’s Chicken ready to devour.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

There are plenty of reasons to make this your go-to recipe! Here’s why you’ll enjoy it:

Quick and easy: Done in just 35 minutes.
Customizable: Adjust the spice, sweetness, and ingredients to suit your taste.
Better than takeout: Fresher, crispier, and packed with flavor.
Kid-friendly: Sweet and savory flavors appeal to everyone.
Adaptable for various diets: Easily made vegetarian, gluten-free, or lower-calorie.

How to Serve General Tso’s Chicken?

Presentation makes any dish more irresistible. Here’s how to serve it beautifully:

On a bed of steamed rice to soak up the tasty sauce.
Pair it with stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal. A side of Garlic Tomato Chicken with Mozzarella Recipe will add a rich and hearty complement.
Sprinkle some extra sesame seeds and sliced green onions for an attractive garnish.
Serve alongside noodles or fried rice for a satisfying combo.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick breakdown of nutrients per serving:

Calories: 320
Protein: 22g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fat: 18g

Make Ahead and Storage

This recipe is great for meal prepping or saving leftovers for later.

To make ahead, you can marinate the chicken and prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance. Store the sauce in an airtight jar in the fridge. When ready to cook, fry the chicken and assemble everything fresh for the best results.

For leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, use a skillet to revive the sauce and maintain some crispiness in the chicken. Freezing is also an option! Store the fried chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

Tips for Making the Recipe

After making this recipe countless times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make it even better:

Double-fry for extra crispiness. Fry the chicken lightly first, then give it another quick fry to make it extra crunchy.
Adjust the spice level. If you love heat, add more dried chilies or even a touch of chili oil to the sauce.
Serve immediately. This dish is best enjoyed fresh, so don’t leave it sitting too long after cooking.
Experiment with garnishes. Try chopped cilantro or roasted peanuts for a unique touch.
Prep ahead. Marinate the chicken and whisk your sauce in advance to save time on busy days.

For those who love grilled meals, you can enjoy similar flavors with the smoky and bold Tandoori Chicken Kebabs for a different experience.

Watch the full recipe video on YouTube for a step-by-step visual guide!