The Perfect General Tso’s Chicken Recipe for Spicy Sweet Bliss

Chinese takeout meets home cooking with this delectable general tsos chicken that brings restaurant flavors right to your kitchen.

Crispy golden chunks of tender meat gleam with a glossy, vibrant sauce that promises bold flavor in every bite.

Hints of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes dance across your palate, creating an irresistible combination.

Home chefs can easily master this classic dish with just a few simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

The secret lies in perfectly crisp chicken pieces coated in a luscious, glossy glaze that clings to each morsel.

Authentic flavors await you, ready to transport your taste buds to the heart of Chinese-American cuisine.

Let’s unlock the magic of this beloved dish that will surely become a weeknight dinner favorite.

Everything You Need For General Tsos Chicken Recipe

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that absorbs sauce beautifully, best with boneless and skinless cuts for even cooking.

• Cornstarch, Flour: Creates a light, crispy exterior that helps sauce cling to chicken.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning for enhancing chicken's natural flavor.

• Eggs, Water: Helps coating adhere to chicken and creates a smooth base for dry ingredients.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides neutral flavor and high smoke point for deep frying.

• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and richness to the sauce's overall flavor profile.

• Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Provides complex umami and sweet-salty notes.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to balance the sauce.

• Brown Sugar, Honey: Creates a sweet-sticky consistency and caramelized flavor.

• Garlic, Ginger: Adds sharp, warm undertones to the sauce.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a glossy, smooth sauce texture.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle spiciness and warmth.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Provides fresh garnish and nutty crunch.
• Dried Red Chilies: Optional extra heat and visual appeal.

How To Cook General Tsos Chicken Recipe Simply

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

• Cornstarch
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk eggs with water in a separate bowl. Dunk chicken pieces into egg mixture, then thoroughly coat with flour blend.

Step 2: Sizzle The Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet until shimmering. Carefully place coated chicken pieces into hot oil. Fry until exterior turns golden and crispy, rotating occasionally. Remove chicken and let excess oil drain on paper towels.

Step 3: Craft Tangy Sauce

• Chicken stock
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Dark brown sugar
• Honey
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic
• Freshly grated ginger
• Red chili flakes

Bring mixture to a gentle bubble, stirring consistently.

Step 4: Thicken Sauce

Whisk cornstarch with cold water to create a smooth slurry. Pour into simmering sauce, stirring until sauce transforms into a glossy, thick consistency.

Step 5: Combine And Finish

Tumble crispy chicken pieces into warm sauce, ensuring each piece gets fully coated. Transfer to serving platter.

Step 6: Garnish And Serve

• Chopped green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Dried red chilies

Accompany with steamed white rice or stir-fried vegetables.

Top Tips For General Tsos Chicken Recipe

• Fry Chicken to Crispy Perfection: Ensure oil is at the right temperature (around 350°F) for a crispy, golden exterior without absorbing excess oil. Use a thermometer to check and maintain consistent heat.
• Create Balanced Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken pieces.
• Manage Spice Levels Wisely: Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal heat tolerance. Start with a small amount and gradually increase for a personalized spice experience.
• Optimize Coating Technique: Pat chicken dry before coating to help the flour mixture adhere better, creating a crunchier and more even layer of breading.
• Serve Fresh and Hot: Plate immediately after tossing in sauce to maintain the chicken's crispy texture and prevent sogginess from sitting too long.

How To Keep General Tsos Chicken Recipe Fresh

• Refrigerate leftover General Tsos chicken in an airtight container for maximum freshness.
• Keep the dish sealed tightly to prevent moisture and maintain crispy texture.
• Store within two hours of cooking and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Separate the chicken from sauce when storing to prevent soggy coating – place chicken and sauce in different containers.
• Reheat carefully in a skillet or oven to restore crispiness, avoiding microwave which can make chicken rubbery.
• Avoid freezing if possible, as the breading will lose its crisp texture and become mushy when thawed.
• When ready to enjoy leftovers, warm chicken gently over medium heat with a splash of sauce to revive flavors and prevent drying out.
• Always check for signs of spoilage before reheating and discard if any unusual odors or discoloration appear.

Tasty Pairings For General Tsos Chicken Recipe

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: A slightly sweet Riesling cuts through the spicy, rich flavors of General Tso's chicken, balancing the heat and complementing the sweet-tangy sauce with its refreshing acidity.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice Pilaf: Fluffy jasmine rice absorbs the delicious sauce perfectly, providing a neutral base that enhances the chicken's bold flavors and adds a delightful textural contrast.
• Complement with Cucumber Salad: A cool, crisp cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing offers a light, refreshing side that helps balance the chicken's intense spiciness and provides a palate-cleansing effect.
• Match with Lager Beer: A cold, crisp lager beer works wonderfully with the dish, its light maltiness and carbonation cutting through the rich, spicy sauce and cleansing the palate between bites.

Ways To Switch Up General Tsos Chicken Recipe

• Spicy Garlic Kick: Increase red pepper flakes and add minced fresh jalapeños for an extra heat punch that makes taste buds dance.
• Lemon Zesty Version: Replace rice vinegar with fresh lemon juice and add lemon zest to create a bright, tangy flavor profile that cuts through the richness.
• Honey Sriracha Fusion: Swap red pepper flakes with sriracha sauce and increase honey for a sweet-spicy combination that brings bold, complex flavors to the classic dish.
• Ginger Sesame Remix: Double the ginger amount and toast additional sesame seeds for garnish, enhancing the nutty and aromatic characteristics of the original recipe.

Questions Answered About General Tsos Chicken Recipe

• What makes General Tso's chicken different from other fried chicken dishes?

General Tso’s chicken is unique because of its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce that perfectly coats crispy fried chicken pieces. Unlike other fried chicken recipes, this dish combines Chinese-American flavors with a distinctive sauce that sets it apart.

• Is General Tso's chicken authentically Chinese?

The dish is actually an American creation inspired by Chinese cuisine, developed by Chinese immigrants in New York during the 1970s. It’s more of a Chinese-American restaurant specialty than a traditional Chinese recipe.

• How can I make the chicken extra crispy?

The key to crispy chicken is using a cornstarch and flour mixture for coating, and ensuring the oil is hot enough before frying. Double-coating the chicken and frying at the right temperature (around 350-375°F) helps create that perfect crispy exterior.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Absolutely! Simply reduce or omit the red pepper flakes in the sauce. You can adjust the heat level to suit your personal taste preferences while still maintaining the delicious flavor profile of the dish.

Why General Tsos Chicken Recipe Is Always A Hit

• Quick Restaurant-Style Meal: Recreate your favorite takeout dish with this homemade General Tsos chicken that tastes even better than restaurant versions.
• Crispy Texture Magic: Achieve perfectly golden, crunchy chicken pieces through simple dredging and frying techniques that guarantee a satisfying crunch in every bite.
• Flavor-Packed Sauce Delight: Master an authentic sauce combining sweet, tangy, and spicy elements that elevates the entire dish with complex taste profiles from just a few ingredients.
• Easy Weekend Cooking Adventure: Impress family and friends with a restaurant-quality meal that's surprisingly simple to prepare, making it perfect for casual gatherings or weekend cooking experiments.

General Tsos Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory General Tso’s Chicken brings bold Chinese-American flavors dancing across taste buds with crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and spicy sauce. Hearty comfort meets restaurant-quality cooking you can easily recreate in your own kitchen.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating Ingredients:

• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¼ cup water

Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:

• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 6–8 dried red chilies
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a delectable seasoned coating by blending cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in a mixing vessel. Prepare a separate whisking station with eggs and water.
2. Immerse chicken fragments into the egg solution, ensuring complete coverage, then transfer to the flour mixture, creating a crisp protective layer.
3. Ignite a skillet with vegetable oil, establishing a medium-high thermal environment. Carefully submerge chicken pieces, rotating periodically to achieve a uniform golden-brown exterior. Transfer expertly fried morsels onto absorbent paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
4. Construct a flavor-packed sauce by merging chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a simmering saucepan.
5. Introduce a cornstarch slurry to the simmering liquid, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a glossy, thickened consistency.
6. Gently enrobe the crispy chicken fragments with the aromatic sauce, ensuring each piece receives a luxurious coating.
7. Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and flavor profile by scattering chopped green onions, sprinkling sesame seeds, and optionally garnishing with dried red chilies. Serve alongside steamed rice or vibrant vegetables for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Use fresh chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness, as they hold more moisture compared to chicken breasts.
• Ensure oil temperature stays consistent around 350°F for perfectly crispy chicken without absorbing excess oil.
• Pat chicken pieces dry before coating to help breading adhere better and create an extra crispy exterior.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with rice flour or cornstarch for the coating.
• Balance heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes according to personal spice tolerance, adding gradually for controlled kick.
• Let chicken rest after frying to maintain crispiness and prevent soggy texture when tossing in sauce.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and prevent sauce from overcooking while preparing chicken.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 487
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg