Crispy Sweet & Spicy General Tsos Chicken Recipe

Craving a mouthwatering general tsos chicken that brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen?

Crispy, golden-brown pieces of chicken dance in a sweet and tangy sauce that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Originating from Taiwanese-American cuisine, this dish packs a punch of flavor with its perfect balance of heat and sweetness.

Tender chicken chunks coated in a glossy, vibrant sauce promise an exciting culinary adventure.

Each bite combines the crunch of perfectly fried chicken with a sauce that tingles and delights.

Home cooks can easily master this takeout favorite with a few simple ingredients and some cooking magic.

Come along and unlock the secrets to creating a plate of general tsos chicken that will have everyone asking for seconds!

What Sets General Tsos Chicken Apart

• Create Crowd-Pleasing Bites: These sliders deliver maximum flavor in mini-sized packages perfect for sharing with friends and family.
• Master Quick Family Meal: Prepare a satisfying dinner in under half an hour with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps that anyone can follow.
• Customize with Ease: Swap cheeses, add extra seasonings, or include different toppings to match your personal taste preferences and make the recipe uniquely yours.
• Versatile Party Starter: Ideal for game day gatherings, potlucks, or casual get-togethers where guests can grab and enjoy handheld comfort food without complicated utensils.

Ingredients Needed For General Tsos Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat that provides the main protein base for this classic Chinese-American dish.

• Cornstarch, Eggs: Create a crispy, golden exterior that adds texture and helps the sauce cling to the chicken.

• Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Hoisin Sauce: Blend together to create a balanced sweet, tangy, and umami flavor profile.

• Sugar, Chicken Broth, Cornstarch: Provide sweetness, depth of flavor, and help thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency.

• Garlic, Ginger, Red Chili Flakes: Add warmth, spice, and depth to the overall flavor of the dish.

• Sesame Oil, Cooking Oil: Provide necessary fat for frying and adding rich, nutty undertones.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Add fresh color, mild onion flavor, and a pleasant crunch to the finished dish.

General Tsos Chicken Instructions

Step 1: Coat the Chicken

Dredge chicken pieces in cornstarch, dip in beaten eggs, then coat again in cornstarch for maximum crunch.

Step 2: Fry Until Crispy

Heat vegetable or peanut oil in a deep skillet. Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

Whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, chicken broth, and cornstarch slurry until smooth.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics

Heat sesame oil in a pan. Quickly sauté garlic, ginger, and red chili flakes until fragrant.

Step 5: Simmer Sauce

Add sauce mixture and simmer until thick and glossy.

Step 6: Toss Chicken in Sauce

Coat fried chicken thoroughly with the sauce.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Plate the chicken, sprinkle with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with steamed rice or noodles.

Key Things To Know About General Tsos Chicken

• Ensure chicken pieces are evenly coated in cornstarch for maximum crispiness, shaking off excess to prevent clumping.
• Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for perfectly crisp, golden-brown chicken without burning.
• Adjust sauce spiciness by increasing or decreasing red chili flakes to suit personal heat preferences.
• For a gluten-free version, replace regular soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free hoisin sauce.
• Allow chicken to rest on paper towels briefly after frying to absorb excess oil and maintain crispy exterior.

Swaps And Styles For General Tsos Chicken

• Spicy Sriracha Spin: Replace red chili flakes with sriracha sauce for a fiery kick and deeper heat profile.
• Honey Garlic Fusion: Swap sugar with honey, add extra minced garlic for a sweet and aromatic variation that caramelizes beautifully.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Option: Substitute chicken with cauliflower florets, use almond flour instead of cornstarch for a lighter, gluten-free alternative.
• Citrus Zest Remix: Add orange zest and fresh orange juice to the sauce for a bright, tangy flavor that complements the savory chicken.

Great Pairings For General Tsos Chicken

• Create a vibrant dinner spread with colorful vegetable sides like roasted broccoli and crisp bell peppers. Arrange the General Tsos chicken in a large central serving platter surrounded by steamed jasmine rice. Add small bowls of extra sauce for dipping and garnish generously with fresh green onions.
• Transform the chicken into bite-sized appetizer pieces perfect for game watching. Serve on a wooden board with toothpicks and multiple dipping sauces like sriracha mayo and sweet chili. Pair with cold beer or refreshing iced tea for a crowd-pleasing experience.

Saving General Tsos Chicken For Later

• Store leftover General Tso's chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping the crispy texture intact.
• Separate chicken and sauce before freezing to prevent sogginess. Place in freezer-safe containers for maximum 2 months, ensuring quality remains.
• Warm in oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness, avoiding microwave which can make chicken soggy and lose its original texture.
• Keep extra sauce in a sealed jar in refrigerator for up to one week, perfect for quick meal prep or adding extra flavor to future dishes.

FAQs

• Is General Tso's Chicken spicy?

The sauce has a mild heat from red chili flakes, but you can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less chili flakes to suit your taste preferences.

• Can I make General Tso's Chicken healthier?

Try baking the chicken instead of deep-frying, use less sugar in the sauce, and include more vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers to boost nutrition.

• What makes the chicken crispy?

Double-coating the chicken in cornstarch and ensuring the oil is hot enough during frying creates a crisp, golden exterior that gives the dish its signature crunch.

• Is this an authentic Chinese dish?

General Tso’s Chicken is actually an American-Chinese creation, popularized in New York City in the 1970s, and not a traditional dish from China.

General Tsos Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

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

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Description

General Tso’s chicken delivers a tantalizing blend of crispy, sweet, and spicy flavors from Chinese-American cuisine. Homemade preparation ensures fresher ingredients and authentic taste you can savor with pride.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) cornstarch
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (for slurry)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1–2 tsp red chili flakes
• Oil for frying
• Sliced green onions (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in cornstarch, dip into beaten eggs, then recoat with cornstarch to achieve a crisp, textured exterior.
2. Warm oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Carefully fry chicken in small batches until achieving a rich golden-brown color, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
3. Drain fried chicken pieces on paper towel-lined plates to remove excess oil and maintain crispiness.
4. Create sauce by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, chicken broth, and cornstarch until smooth and well-integrated.
5. In a separate pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Quickly sauté minced garlic, grated ginger, and red chili flakes for 30-45 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
6. Pour prepared sauce mixture into the pan with aromatics, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
7. Gently fold fried chicken pieces into the sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly and thoroughly coated.
8. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
9. Accompany with steamed jasmine rice or lo mein noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

• Create an ultra-crispy coating by double-dredging chicken in cornstarch, ensuring a crunchy exterior that stays crisp even after sauce coating.
• Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown chicken that’s not greasy or soggy.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
• For a healthier version, bake chicken pieces instead of deep-frying, using a wire rack to keep the coating crisp and reduce oil absorption.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg