General Tso’s Chicken

You’ll save money and time when you make this delectable General Tso’s Chicken. Serve it over jasmine rice for an iconic takeout favorite at home.

Ingredients to Make General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

This recipe for General Tso’s is flavorful and lightly breaded making it a healthier version you can make in your own kitchen. The sweet, spicy and savory flavor of the sauce is made using hoisin sauce, honey, ginger plus red pepper flakes for spice. It’s certain to have everyone coming back for seconds. For a busy weekday night, this easy chicken recipe makes a delicious 30 minute meal. Ingredients to make stir-fry General Tso’s Chicken: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Chicken: Two pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size cubes
• Cornstarch: Forms a light crispy coating to the chicken.
• Seasonings. Salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Oil: Vegetable oil or olive oil for frying.
• Sesame Oil: Add authenticity to the Asian flavor.
• Fresh Ginger: Minced ginger adds spice and flavor.
• Garlic: Three large garlic cloves.
• Chicken Stock: Low sodium chicken stock, chicken broth or water to make the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Low sodium soy sauce or teriyaki sauce.
• Sugar: Light brown sugar adds a caramel color and hint of sweetness.
• Vinegar: Rice wine vinegar adds acidic notes to balance the sweet sauce.
• Hoisin Sauce: Hoison sauce adds color and authenticity in flavor.
• Ketchup: Use your favorite brand.
• Honey: A small amount of honey lends sweetness and flavor.
• Green Onions: Green onions for a mild onion flavor.
• Rice: Cooked jasmine rice or basmati rice for serving.
• Garnish: Sesame seeds for garnishing (optional).

How to Make the BEST General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

• Chicken – In a medium bowl add the chicken. Season with salt and black pepper then toss with 1/3 cup cornstarch until fully coated. Set aside.
• Heat Oil – In a large nonstick skillet or wok heat 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
• Cook Chicken – To the hot oil add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the juices run clear. Once cooked remove the chicken to a platter using a slotted spoon and keep warm. Set aside. (Cook the chicken pieces in batches, if needed)
• Seasonings – To the pan add vegetable oil, teaspoon sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir constantly over medium-high heat cooking for 30-60 seconds.
• Sauce Ingredients – Add the chicken stock (or water), soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, honey, hoisin sauce and ketchup. Stir to combine.
• Thicken the Sauce – Whisk cornstarch in just enough cold water to dissolve. Add it to the skillet. Mix for 2-3 minutes until fully combined and the sauce has thickened. (You can adjust the amount of honey or soy sauce at this stage.)
• Combine – Add the chicken pieces back to the skillet tossing to coat with the sauce simmering just until heated through.
• Serve – Enjoy General Tso’s Chicken immediately over rice garnished with green onions. You can also add a sprinkle of sesame seeds, if desired. (tso melissa)

Tips for Making General Tso’s Chicken

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Large skillet, sharp knife and cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, small bowl, whisk.
• Adjust the Sweetness to Taste: This homemade sweet and spicy General Tso’s Chicken is the perfect combination of spicy flavors. The tender chicken is coated in the sweet sauce and the amount of sweetness can be adapted to your taste. To do so, begin with half of the light brown sugar then add more until you hit your sweet spot.
• Drizzle the Rice with the Sauce: The sauce is generous by design so you’ll have plenty to drizzle over the rice for serving.
• Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds are most often associated with sesame chicken but I love adding them to General Tso’s, too. This is completely optional and your choice!
• Serving Suggestions: Serve this for weeknight dinners with the family, when entertaining friends or pack it up in takeout cartons and head to the park or the beach.

Recipe Variations

• Chicken Stock: If you don’t have chicken stock or chicken broth on hand you can use water for the sweet and tangy sauce.
• Veggie Variations: You can add steamed broccoli florets, sugar snap peas, or sautéed bell peppers to this dish.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: You can keep General Tso’s Chicken leftovers in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat leftovers gently in single servings in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Freezer: You can freeze General Tso’s Chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Easy Chicken Recipes to Make

• You can serve these Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Kabobs as an entree or an appetizer.
• Chicken Cakes with Remoulade Sauce is an easy entree you’ll make over and over again.
• Baked Sriracha Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks feature a sweet and spicy glaze.
• Easy Grilled Chicken Sandwich recipe.
• Restaurant quality Chicken Florentine.
• Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are tender and flavorful.
• Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken can be made in minutes on the stovetop.
• Thai Peanut Chicken from CopyKat Recipes.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Stovetop Wok
• Whisks
• Knife Set
• Cutting Boards