General Tso’s Chicken
General Tso’s Chicken
What makes this recipe special
General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved dish that combines crispy chicken with a savory, slightly sweet sauce. It’s a staple in Chinese-American cuisine and is sure to delight your taste buds. Whether you’re serving it for dinner or a get-together, this recipe is sure to impress!
How to make General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Directions:
- In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger, sautéing for about 30 seconds.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the soy sauce, chicken broth, sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Pour this mixture into the skillet and bring to a boil.
- Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve hot with rice.
How to serve General Tso’s Chicken
General Tso’s Chicken is best served hot over a bed of fluffy white rice or alongside steamed broccoli. You can also pair it with fried rice for a delightful meal.
How to store General Tso’s Chicken
To store leftovers, let the chicken cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It can last for up to 3 days in the fridge. For longer storage, consider freezing it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Tips to make General Tso’s Chicken
- For extra crunch, double fry the chicken by frying it once for a few minutes, letting it rest, and then frying again until crispy.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the sugar—less for a tangier flavor, or more for a sweeter dish.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for more color and nutrition.
Variation
You can easily twist this recipe by using tofu or shrimp instead of chicken for a vegetarian or seafood version. The cooking process remains largely the same!
FAQs
1. Can I make General Tso’s Chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it a few hours ahead. Just reheat it in a skillet over low heat.
2. Is General Tso’s Chicken spicy?
Typically, it’s not very spicy, but you can add crushed red pepper flakes if you like some heat!
3. Can I use frozen chicken?
You can use frozen chicken, but it’s best to thaw it first for even cooking.
Enjoy your cooking adventures with this delicious and easy recipe!

General Tso's Chicken
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, minced
Sauce ingredients
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated.
Cooking
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger, sautéing for about 30 seconds.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the soy sauce, chicken broth, sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Pour this mixture into the skillet and bring to a boil.
- Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serving
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with rice.
