Try This Flavorful General Tsos Chicken Recipe Today

Tucked away in a cozy kitchen, my general tsos chicken sparks culinary memories of late-night takeout adventures.

Memories flood back from childhood dinners with crispy, glazed perfection.

Comfort meets excitement in this classic dish that dances between sweet and spicy flavors.

Chinese-American cuisine brings magic to our dinner tables with bold, unexpected combinations.

Each bite promises a delightful contrast of crunchy exterior and tender meat beneath.

Vibrant red sauce coats every morsel, creating an irresistible plate that calls you to the table.

Unlock this restaurant-style recipe and become the star chef in your own kitchen.

General Tso’s Chicken Flavor Components

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that provides a juicy and flavorful base for the dish, with better fat content than chicken breast for crispy texture.

• Cornstarch, All-Purpose Flour: Create a light, crispy exterior that helps the chicken achieve a golden-brown and crunchy coating, with cornstarch providing extra crispiness.
• Eggs: Act as a binding agent to help the coating stick to the chicken and create a smooth, even layer.

• Oil: Essential for deep frying the chicken, allowing it to cook evenly and develop a crisp, golden exterior.

General Tso’s Chicken Cooking Order

Step 1: Prep Chicken Coating

Mix cornstarch and flour in a shallow dish.

Dip chicken pieces into beaten eggs, then thoroughly coat with the cornstarch-flour mixture, ensuring each piece is completely covered.

Step 2: Crisp Chicken Pieces

Pour oil into a deep skillet or wok.

Heat over medium-high temperature until oil shimmers.

Carefully drop chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking in batches.

Fry until chicken turns golden and crispy, approximately 4-5 minutes.

Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Hoisin sauce
• Sugar
• Sesame oil
• Chicken broth
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Warm a skillet over medium heat.

Add a small amount of oil.

Sauté minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until aromatic.

Pour in sauce ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer.

Whisk in cornstarch slurry and continue cooking until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Step 4: Marry Chicken and Sauce

Add crispy chicken pieces into the sauce.

Gently toss until each piece is evenly coated.

Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top.

Serve immediately over steamed white rice for a delicious meal.

General Tso’s Chicken Tips for Crispy Coating and Sticky Sauce

• Double-coat chicken for extra crispiness by first dusting with cornstarch-flour mix, then dipping in egg, and coating again for a super crunchy exterior.
• Use a candy thermometer to maintain 350-375°F for perfectly golden and crisp chicken without absorbing excess oil.
• Adjust sauce sweetness and heat by adding more sugar or red pepper flakes to match personal taste preferences.
• Swap regular soy sauce with low-sodium version and reduce added salt to create a healthier alternative without compromising flavor.
• Prepare chicken and sauce separately, storing them in the refrigerator, then quickly reheat and combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture.

Reheat General Tso’s Chicken Without Losing Crisp

• Store leftover General Tso's chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the crispy texture intact.
• Spread chicken pieces on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to maintain crispiness and prevent drying out.
• For quick reheating, place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warm.
• Warm sauce separately and drizzle over chicken just before serving to prevent sogginess and preserve the original delicious flavor.

Good Matches for General Tso’s Chicken

• Pair with Vibrant White Wine: Select a crisp Riesling or Gewürztraminer with slight sweetness to complement the spicy-sweet General Tso's sauce and cut through the fried chicken's richness.
• Balance with Refreshing Beer: Choose a light Asian lager like Tsingtao or Sapporo, which offers a clean, crisp finish that neutralizes the dish's bold flavors and provides a palate-cleansing effect.
• Enhance with Vegetable Side: Add stir-fried bok choy or steamed broccoli to introduce a fresh, green element that provides nutritional balance and textural contrast to the crispy chicken.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: Prepare a quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil to create a cool, tangy accompaniment that helps moderate the dish's spiciness and adds a light, refreshing component.

General Tso’s Chicken with Sauce and Veggie Tweaks

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace crispy chicken with cauliflower florets, using the same coating and frying technique for a vegetarian and low-carb alternative.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, use tamari instead of soy sauce, and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Air Fryer Method: Skip deep-frying and use an air fryer at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, lightly spraying chicken pieces with oil to achieve a crispy exterior.
• Spicy Sriracha Kick: Add 1-2 tablespoons of sriracha sauce to the existing sauce recipe for an extra spicy and tangy flavor profile that enhances the traditional General Tsos recipe.

FAQs

• Can I make General Tso's Chicken less spicy?

Yes, simply reduce or omit the red pepper flakes. You can also remove the seeds from the peppers to decrease heat intensity.

• Is it necessary to use both cornstarch and flour for coating?

The combination creates a crispier, crunchier texture. Cornstarch helps achieve that light, crisp exterior while flour provides structure and helps the coating stick to the chicken.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal because they stay more tender and juicy compared to chicken breasts. If using chicken breasts, cut them into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.

• Can I use a different type of vinegar instead of rice vinegar?

While rice vinegar provides a distinctive flavor, you can substitute with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. The taste will be slightly different but still delicious.

General Tso’s Chicken That’s Better At Home

• Quick Family Feast: Perfect for busy weeknight dinners with minimal prep and maximum flavor impact.
• Crispy Texture Triumph: Achieve restaurant-quality crunch with a simple cornstarch and flour coating technique that guarantees golden, perfectly crisp chicken pieces.
• Restaurant-Inspired Homemade Delight: Create a classic takeout favorite from scratch, saving money and controlling ingredient quality while enjoying authentic Chinese-American flavors.
• Speed Demon Cooking: Complete the entire dish in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal solution for fast, delicious meals that satisfy immediate hunger cravings.

General Tsos Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Culinary magic happens when General Tso’s chicken meets modern kitchen creativity, blending sweet, spicy flavors from Chinese-American cuisine. Crispy chicken pieces glazed in a tangy sauce promise a delightful dining experience you’ll savor with every delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (60 g) cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten

Frying Ingredient:

• Oil for frying

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by generously coating each piece with a blend of cornstarch and flour, ensuring complete and even coverage. Dip the coated pieces into whisked eggs, then re-coat with the dry mixture for an extra crispy exterior.
2. Heat oil in a deep skillet or wok to medium-high temperature. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, cooking in small batches to maintain oil temperature. Fry until the exterior transforms to a rich golden-brown color and achieves a satisfying crunch, approximately 4-5 minutes per batch.
3. Create the sauce foundation by combining soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and chicken broth in a mixing bowl. In a separate skillet, quickly sauté minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a touch of oil until their aromatic oils release, which takes roughly 30 seconds.
4. Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet with the aromatics, bringing the liquid to a gentle simmer. Introduce a cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring continuously until the consistency thickens and becomes glossy.
5. Transfer the crispy fried chicken pieces directly into the bubbling sauce, gently tossing to ensure each piece is lavishly coated with the flavorful glaze. Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the top for a vibrant finish.
6. Serve immediately over steamed rice, allowing the hot chicken to release its enticing aromas and maintain its irresistible crispness.

Notes

• Ensure chicken pieces are bite-sized and uniformly cut for even cooking and crispy texture.
• Double-coat the chicken with cornstarch and flour for extra crispiness that holds up well in the sauce.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for perfectly golden and crisp chicken without burning.
• For a healthier version, bake the coated chicken instead of deep-frying, using a wire rack on a baking sheet to keep the coating crisp.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg