If you’re craving a dish that delivers that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory in every bite, then this General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated with a glossy, flavorful sauce, this takeout classic is easier to make at home than you might think. Whether you want a quick weeknight dinner or something impressive to share with friends, this recipe brings an irresistible combination of textures and bold flavors straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting this General Tso’s Chicken Recipe just right starts with simple, fresh ingredients that each play a starring role. From the tender chicken to the punchy ginger and the sweet brown sugar, each component creates harmony in every mouthful.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The perfect lean protein that crisps up beautifully when fried.
- Large eggs: Help the flour stick to the chicken, ensuring a crispy coating every time.
- All-purpose flour: Creates the base for that crunchy texture you’ll love.
- Vegetable oil: Ideal for frying to get the chicken golden and delicious without overpowering flavors.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Brings umami depth without being too salty.
- Brown sugar: Adds a natural sweetness that balances the heat perfectly.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Infuses the sauce with aromatic warmth and a bit of zing.
- Fresh ginger (minced): Gives a fresh, spicy kick that brightens the dish.
- Chili paste: Customize the heat level to your preference with this spicy addition.
How to Make General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. This makes them perfect for frying and easy to eat. Smaller pieces also allow the sauce to cling to every morsel, giving maximum flavor in each bite.
Step 2: Set up Your Breading Stations
In one bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. In another bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning. This simple setup ensures each piece of chicken gets a nice, even coating that crisps up gorgeously.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then roll it in the seasoned flour until fully coated. This double barrier is key to achieving that crunchy texture that makes this General Tso’s Chicken Recipe so satisfying.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok until it shimmers — this means it’s hot enough to get a perfect golden crust. Fry the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, about five minutes each or until beautifully golden brown. Let them drain on paper towels to remove any excess oil.
Step 5: Prepare the Sauce
In a separate pan, mix together the soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and chili paste. Heat gently and stir until the sauce thickens slightly into a luscious glaze that’s bursting with flavor.
Step 6: Toss and Serve
Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring every bite is coated with that sticky, flavorful sauce that defines this dish.
How to Serve General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds adds a lovely fresh crunch and visual appeal. Not only do garnishes elevate the dish’s look, but they also introduce a pleasant contrast to the rich sauce.
Side Dishes
Pair your General Tso’s Chicken with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy fried rice to soak up any extra sauce. A side of sautéed bok choy or simple stir-fried vegetables balances richness with crisp, fresh flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the chicken in lettuce cups with shredded carrots and cucumbers for a handheld treat. Alternatively, use the sauced chicken as a filling for bao buns or wraps, turning this traditional recipe into a creative fusion feast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover General Tso’s Chicken stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the sauce and fried chicken together to maintain flavor integrity.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover chicken, though for the best texture, it’s ideal to keep fried pieces separate from the sauce before freezing. Defrost overnight in the fridge to prepare for a quick meal later on.
Reheating
The best way to reheat is gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain the chicken’s crispiness while warming the sauce evenly. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that satisfying crunch intact.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and can add a richer flavor, but they may take a bit longer to cook through. Just adjust the frying time accordingly, and you’ll get delicious results.
How spicy is this General Tso’s Chicken Recipe?
The heat level depends on the amount and type of chili paste you use. You can start with a small amount and add more as desired, making it mild or fiery to suit your taste buds.
Is it possible to bake instead of fry the chicken?
While frying gives that classic crispy texture, you can bake the chicken pieces on a greased baking sheet at 425°F until golden and cooked through. It’s a lighter alternative but with a different texture.
What can I substitute for brown sugar?
Light or dark brown sugar works best, but you can replace it with honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetness. Keep in mind these options may change the sauce’s consistency slightly.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Yes! Making the sauce ahead of time is convenient and lets the flavors meld even more. Just reheat gently before tossing with freshly fried chicken.
Final Thoughts
This General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is a wonderful way to bring that comforting, takeout favorite into your own kitchen with ease and love. It’s perfect for sharing with family or impressing guests, offering a delightful mix of crispy texture and bold, savory sauce. Trust me, once you try making it at home, it will quickly become a go-to dish you want to prepare again and again.
Print
General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Description
This General Tso’s Chicken recipe features crispy fried chicken pieces tossed in a flavorful, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili paste. Perfectly golden and full of bold flavors, this classic Chinese-American dish is quick and easy to prepare in about 30 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- Chili paste, to taste (adjust based on preferred spice level)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and easy eating.
- Set up coating stations: In one bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with salt and pepper to season it.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten egg, then dredge fully in the seasoned flour to ensure a crispy exterior once fried.
- Fry the chicken: Heat 2 cups of vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet until shimmering and hot. Fry the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each batch for about 5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the sauce: In a separate pan over medium heat, combine low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced fresh ginger, and chili paste. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Toss chicken in the sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces into the pan with the sauce, tossing them gently but thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve and enjoy: Once coated, serve the General Tso’s Chicken hot, perfect alongside steamed rice or your favorite vegetables.
Notes
- Adjust chili paste amount according to your heat preference to make the dish milder or spicier.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to prevent the chicken from absorbing too much oil and becoming greasy.
- Frying in batches is crucial to maintain oil temperature and ensure even, crispy chicken.
- For a gluten-free option, replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free soy sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispiness.
