Ah, General Tso’s Chicken—a Chinese-American classic! 🍗 It’s known for its crispy chicken bites coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. Perfect over rice or noodles. Here’s a full recipe you can try at home:
General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Ingredients (serves 4)
For the chicken:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional for heat)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp cornstarch (to thicken)
Aromatics and garnish:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
- 2–3 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Optional: dried red chilies for extra spice
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken:
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Toss pieces in cornstarch until fully coated.
- Fry the chicken:
- Heat 1–2 inches of vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy (about 4–5 minutes per batch). Drain on paper towels.
- Make the sauce:
- Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin, sesame oil, water, crushed red pepper, and 1 tsp cornstarch in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook aromatics:
- Heat 1 tsp oil in a clean skillet or wok over medium heat.
- Sauté garlic, ginger, and optional dried chilies for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine chicken and sauce:
- Pour sauce into the skillet and cook 2–3 minutes until it thickens.
- Add fried chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve:
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve hot over steamed rice or fried rice.
💡 Tips for the Best General Tso’s Chicken:
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful bites.
- Double fry the chicken for extra crispiness: fry once, rest, then fry again for 1–2 minutes before coating in sauce.
- Adjust sweetness, tanginess, and heat according to your taste.
If you want, I can also give a quick skillet version that skips deep-frying but still gives crispy, saucy chicken in under 30 minutes.
Do you want me to share that faster version?
