Name: General Tso’s Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, beaten; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tbsp hoisin sauce; 2 tbsp sugar; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 6-8 dried red chilies; 1 tsp sesame oil; 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish); Vegetable oil, for frying

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review

General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved Chinese-American dish known for its crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a sticky, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. It’s the perfect blend of savory and bold flavors that hits all the right notes, making it a popular choice at takeout spots—and even better when made at home. General Tso’s Chicken

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it brings that restaurant-quality flavor to my own kitchen. The chicken stays perfectly crispy under a thick, glossy sauce that balances sweetness, tang, and heat. It’s easy to prep ahead, and I can tweak the spice level depending on who I’m feeding. Plus, it pairs beautifully with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a full meal.

ingredients

(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Cornstarch
All-purpose flour
Eggs
Soy sauce
Rice vinegar
Hoisin sauce
Sugar
Garlic
Ginger
Dried red chilies
Sesame oil
Green onions (for garnish)
Vegetable oil (for frying)

directions

I start by cutting the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, then coat them in a mixture of cornstarch, flour, and beaten eggs.
I deep-fry the coated chicken pieces until golden and crispy, then drain them on paper towels.
While the chicken rests, I make the sauce by combining soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil in a pan. I add the dried chilies and simmer the mixture until slightly thickened.
I toss the crispy chicken into the sauce and stir until each piece is fully coated and sticky.
I serve it hot, garnished with sliced green onions over steamed rice.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves about 4 people. The total time is approximately 40 minutes: 15 minutes for prep and 25 minutes for cooking.

Variations

Sometimes I swap chicken thighs for chicken breast if I want a leaner version. I’ve also added steamed broccoli or bell peppers for a vegetable boost. If I want it spicier, I throw in some crushed red pepper flakes or use fresh chili slices. To make it gluten-free, I use tamari instead of soy sauce and make sure the hoisin sauce is certified gluten-free.

storage/reheating

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I prefer using the oven or air fryer so the chicken gets crispy again. Microwaving works too, though it softens the coating a bit. I avoid freezing it, as the sauce can turn watery and the chicken loses its crunch.

FAQs

What makes General Tso’s Chicken different from other Chinese chicken dishes?

General Tso’s Chicken is known for its deep-fried texture and sweet-spicy sauce, whereas other dishes might be stir-fried or have lighter, more savory sauces.

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

Yes, I’ve baked the chicken at 425°F for 20–25 minutes for a healthier option. While it’s not as crispy as frying, it still tastes delicious once coated in sauce.

How do I keep the chicken crispy after adding the sauce?

I make sure the sauce is thickened before adding the chicken and only toss everything together right before serving. That helps maintain a good texture.

Can I make this ahead of time?

I usually prep the sauce and chicken coating ahead of time, but I fry the chicken and toss it in the sauce just before serving for the best results.

What can I serve with General Tso’s Chicken?

I like serving it with white or brown rice, fried rice, or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, snow peas, or bok choy.

Conclusion

General Tso’s Chicken is a flavorful, satisfying dish that brings takeout comfort food straight to my kitchen. With crispy chicken and that signature sticky-sweet sauce, it’s a go-to meal when I want something both fun and familiar. Whether I keep it classic or mix in some vegetables, it never disappoints.

General Tso’s Chicken

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

Author: Sue
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Main Dish
Method: Deep-Fry
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Diet: Halal

Print Recipe

Description

General Tso’s Chicken is a crispy, deep-fried chicken dish tossed in a sticky, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce—a Chinese-American favorite that's easy to recreate at home.

Instructions

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
Coat the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch, flour, and beaten eggs.
Deep-fry the coated chicken pieces in hot vegetable oil until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
In a pan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Add dried chilies and simmer until slightly thickened.
Add the crispy chicken to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions over steamed rice.