General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Savor the Crispy Delights of General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Embark on a flavor voyage with this General Tso’s Chicken Recipe, merging bite-size crispy chicken with a glossy, sweet-tangy, and gently spicy sauce. You get the iconic takeout taste, yet everything happens in your own kitchen with simple steps and pantry staples.

Whether it’s a laid-back family dinner or a lively weekend gathering, this General Tso’s Chicken Recipe brings restaurant-style crunch and saucy satisfaction to your table. The aroma pulls everyone in. The first bite seals the deal.

Ideal for an enjoyable evening or a joyous event, this General Tso’s Chicken Recipe captures the spirit of beloved takeout—balanced, bold, and deeply comforting. Ready to elevate your mealtime with a splash of fun and flavor? Let’s dive into this straightforward and utterly rewarding General Tso’s Chicken Recipe.

Flavorful and Crispy: Your New Go-To General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

This General Tso’s Chicken Recipe doesn’t just nail the signature crunch; it layers in fragrance from fresh ginger and garlic and finishes with a glossy sauce that clings to every piece. Because the method stays simple, home cooks of any level can win dinner tonight. Then, leftovers reheat beautifully in a hot skillet, so lunch tomorrow tastes just as good. If you love bold chicken dinners, you might also enjoy this weeknight favorite: Popeyes Spicy Chicken Recipe.

Here’s how to achieve that restaurant-style texture and flavor, with pro tips that keep your chicken crisp and your sauce silky. For another saucy skillet idea later this week, consider Marry Me Chicken.

Pro Tips for the Best General Tso’s Chicken

1. Dry, then dredge: Pat the chicken dry before tossing in cornstarch. Therefore, the coating adheres better and fries crisper.
2. High, steady heat: Preheat oil until it shimmers and holds temp. Hot oil fries fast and prevents greasy pieces.
3. Small batches: Cook in two or three rounds. Consequently, pieces don’t steam, and the coating stays shatter-crisp.
4. Aromatics last: Stir-fry ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes briefly. Because they burn quickly, short cooking keeps them fragrant.
5. Sauce to nappe: Whisk the slurry smooth and simmer until glossy. Then add the chicken and toss quickly to coat. For another saucy skillet classic with broccoli, try this cozy spin: Easy Crock-Pot Beef & Broccoli.

General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

• Preparation time: 15–20 minutes
• Cooking time: 15–20 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Equipment: Large wok or deep skillet, wire rack, tongs, whisk, mixing bowls

With this General Tso’s Chicken Recipe, your kitchen becomes a takeout favorite, made fresher and often faster than delivery. If you need an easy side dish another night, bookmark this simple bake: Oven-Baked Chicken and Rice.

Ingredients

US Customary (Serves 8)

• 2 lb chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• ½ cup cornstarch (plus a little extra if needed)
• ¼ cup extra light olive oil, for frying, plus more as needed
• 2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (from a 2-inch knob)
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced (about 1 tbsp)
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional for garnish

General Tso’s Sauce

• ½ cup cold water
• 5 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoon rice vinegar, or more to taste
• 1 ½ tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 4 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoon cornstarch

Metric (Approximate)

• 900 g chicken thighs, 2.5 cm pieces
• 65 g cornstarch (plus extra if needed)
• 60 ml light olive oil, plus more as needed
• 30 g minced ginger
• 3 cloves garlic (≈ 9 g), finely minced
• 1–2 g red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 3 g sesame seeds, optional

General Tso’s Sauce (Metric)

• 120 ml cold water
• 75 ml low-sodium soy sauce
• 45 ml rice vinegar
• 22–24 ml hoisin sauce
• 50 g granulated sugar
• 12 g cornstarch

Make it a meal: Serve with steamed jasmine rice and quick-blistered broccoli. Later in the week, pivot to slow-cooker ease with this crowd favorite: Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken.

Directions

1. Cut and coat: Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. Toss chicken in batches with cornstarch, tapping off the excess. Set the dredged chicken on a wire rack or platter. Keep pieces in a single layer.
2. Whisk the sauce: In a bowl, whisk water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Because the cornstarch settles, give it a quick stir again before pouring into the pan later.
3. Sauté the chicken: Preheat a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add oil. Cook chicken in 2–3 batches, sautéing until golden on both sides and cooked through. Transfer to a bowl and repeat, adding a splash more oil as needed. Leave at least 1 tablespoon oil in the pan.
4. Bloom aromatics: Add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the hot pan. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Don’t let them darken.
5. Simmer and thicken: Whisk the sauce again, then pour it into the skillet. Bring it to a lively simmer while stirring. Let it bubble for 1 minute to slightly soften the vinegar and activate the cornstarch. Taste and adjust with more soy sauce or vinegar if you prefer.
6. Coat and finish: Return chicken to the pan and toss to coat in the glossy sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like. Serve immediately over hot rice.

Ready to Relish Your General Tso’s Chicken?

This General Tso’s Chicken Recipe delivers everything you crave—crunch, heat, sweetness, and a bright vinegar snap—without a complicated process. Because the technique is repeatable, you’ll keep this one on rotation. Then, when you want another relaxed, comforting dinner idea, explore this creamy classic: Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy.

Serving ideas and variations:

• Add steamed broccoli florets in the last minute for a complete skillet.
• Swap thighs for breast meat and reduce cook time slightly.
• Double the sauce if you enjoy extra gloss over rice.
• For a spicier kick, bloom a teaspoon of chili-garlic paste with the aromatics.

Because you now have a repeatable General Tso’s Chicken Recipe, you can enjoy takeout flavor any night—fast, fresh, and absolutely satisfying.

Print