How to Make General Tso Chicken – Best Home Recipe
General Tso Chicken is a favorite in Chinese-American cuisine, known for its crispy chicken pieces coated in a rich, savory sauce. This homemade version of the popular takeout dish is perfect for using up leftovers, as ingredients like chicken breast, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar can already be in your fridge. Whether you’re craving a quick dinner or a delicious way to repurpose leftovers, this General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a must-try.
How to Make General Tso Chicken
This Chinese takeout classic is easy to make at home with simple pantry staples. You’ll get crispy, golden-brown chicken tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce with just the right amount of spice.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this General Tso’s chicken recipe at home. Don’t let the long ingredient list scare you!
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup corn starch + 1 tablespoon
- Oil for frying (vegetable oil, peanut oil, or avocado oil)
For the Sauce:
- 3-4 dried red chili peppers
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Garnish:
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Directions
Making General Tso Chicken at home is simple with these step-by-step instructions. You’ll need a large skillet or wok to ensure the cooking process goes smoothly.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, mix chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat oil (I like sesame oil) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken in batches, ensuring each piece is crispy and golden brown. Set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pan, heat a little oil and sauté garlic, ginger, and dried red chilies until fragrant. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and chicken broth, allowing it to simmer for a few minutes.
- Thicken the Sauce: Mix cornstarch with a little water in a small bowl, then stir into the sauce. Cook until the sauce thickens into a sticky sauce.
- Combine the Chicken and Sauce: Return the crispy chicken pieces to the pan, tossing to coat in the savory sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot with white rice, lo mein noodles, or chow mein.
This homemade General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a great way to enjoy Chinese restaurant flavors at home. Next time you have leftover chicken or pantry staples like hoisin sauce and rice vinegar, try making this delicious dish instead of ordering Chinese takeout.
General Tso Chicken FAQs
Have questions about making General Tso Chicken? Here are some of the most common ones. If you don’t see your question here, leave it in the comments below.
Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes, boneless chicken thighs work well in this recipe. They offer a juicier texture and richer flavor compared to chicken breast. Just be sure to cut them into even pieces for consistent cooking. I’ve actually also made this with leftover rotisserie chicken.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
To store leftovers, place the chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. To reheat General Tso chicken, warm it in a large skillet over medium heat with a little sesame oil to maintain crispiness. I find it just gets too soggy if I try to reheat it in the microwave.
Can I make General Tso’s chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, you can air fry the chicken instead of deep frying. Coat the chicken as directed, then place it in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crispy.
Is Orange Chicken the Same as General Tso’s Chicken?
No, orange chicken and General Tso’s chicken are similar but not the same. While both are crispy, deep-fried chicken dishes coated in a sticky sauce, orange chicken has a sweet, citrusy flavor from orange juice and zest. On the other hand, General Tso’s chicken has a more savory sauce with a balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, often including hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and chili flakes.
How to Make General Tso Chicken – Best Home Recipe
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- frying pan
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
- 3-4 dried red chillies
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup corn-starch +1 tablespoon
- ½ cup water +2 tablespoon
- Oil for frying +1 tablespoon
- 2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
GARNISH:
- Chopped spring onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper powder, and corn starch until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium flame. Fry the coated chicken pieces until they turn crisp, golden, and evenly cooked. Transfer the fried chicken onto a plate and set aside.
- In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add minced garlic, ginger, and dried red chillies. Sauté for a few seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Stir in soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and ½ cup water. Allow the mixture to bubble for a few seconds.
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce. Mix well and sauté on high flame for 1 minute.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry. Stir the corn starch mixture into the sauce and let it simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Sprinkle chilli flakes over the chicken and toss to coat properly.
- Garnish the dish with chopped spring onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with your choice of rice.
Notes
How to Store General Tso Chicken
This recipe stores well in the fridge or the freezer. It’s a great make-ahead meal.Store your General Tso Chicken in the Fridge
Let the chicken cool down to room temperature after cooking. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which could lead to sogginess. Spoon the cooled General Tso Chicken into an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag. Ensure there are no air pockets to maintain freshness. Place the sealed container of General Tso Chicken in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. General Tso Chicken can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.To Freeze General Tso Chicken Recipe for Later
Follow the same steps to cool down the General Tso Chicken after cooking. Then transfer the cooled chicken into a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, and remove all excess air to help prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date of freezing to keep track of its freshness. Store your General Tso Chicken in the freezer for two to three months. However, it tastes best if you eat it within the first month.Nutrition
