General Tso's Chicken is a delicious mix of sweet, savory, and crispy flavors, and it's a standout staple in Chinese-American cuisine. With succulent boneless fried chicken generously tossed in General Tso's Sauce, this dish creates an irresistible flavor that's always a crowd-pleaser.
What You’ll Find On This Page
This dish is super versatile, shining among stir-fries and pairing perfectly with white, basmati, brown, or fried rice—or even noodles. It's great for lunch or dinner, whenever you're in the mood for something comforting.
Renowned as a crispy and juicy Chinese-American favorite, General Tso's Chicken features fried chicken that's stir-fried in a sauce balancing sweet and savory flavors. The sauce delivers bold, complex flavors, and while it was originally spicy, the recipe has been adjusted with white and brown sugar to suit a broader range of tastes.
Created by a Taiwanese chef in honor of General Tso (Zuo Zongtang), a historical figure from China's Hunan Province, this crispy and juicy stir-fry remains a go-to for anyone who loves richly flavored Chinese chicken dishes.
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make the perfect General Tso's Chicken, start by gathering the right ingredients, which are readily available in most Chinese or Asian grocery stores. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Chicken: Choose chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat, or opt for thighs if you enjoy a richer flavor. Both cuts work beautifully and yield delicious results.
- Spices: For the seasoning, blend ginger powder, garlic powder, pepper powder, and chili flakes to bring both heat and rich flavor. For an extra burst of freshness, you can substitute the powders with freshly made ginger-garlic paste.
- Flour Mixture: A crucial component for the crispy coating, mix equal parts cornstarch and all-purpose flour. This combination ensures your chicken pieces are perfectly crisp.
- Oils: Add depth to your sauce with sesame oil, which imparts an earthy, nutty flavor. Use canola oil for frying the chicken to maintain a clean, neutral taste that doesn't overpower the other flavors.
- General Tso's Sauce: Fresh ginger, garlic, and whole dry red chilies create a robust foundation for the sauce. A mixture of low-sodium soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and chicken broth brings together the authentic, rich flavor profile that makes this dish a standout.
How to Make General Tso's Chicken at Home?
Let's make General Tso's Chicken together with my step-by-step guide, featuring images and a video. We'll start by marinating the chicken, then fry it to crispy perfection. Next, we'll whip up the signature sauce and combine everything to create the perfect General Tso's Chicken. Follow along and let's start cooking!
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General Tso's Chicken
Ingredients
For Marinating Chicken
- 1½ lb Chicken Breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1½ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1½ tsp Ginger Powder
- ½ tsp Pepper Powder
- Salt, to taste
- 3 tbsp Corn Starch
- 3 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
For Frying Chicken
- ¼ cup Oil, neutral cooking oil
For General Tso's Sauce
- 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 tbsp Ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp Garlic, minced
- 7 Dry Red Chili
- 1½ tbsp White Sugar
- 1½ tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp Hoisin Sauce
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce, low sodium
- 1½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 tsp Rice Vinegar
- ½ cup Chicken Broth
For Cornstarch
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 3 tbsp Water
For Garnishing
- White Sesame Seeds
- Spring Onions
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix the cut chicken with garlic, ginger, pepper powder, salt, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour. Stir well to ensure all chicken pieces are thoroughly coated with the seasonings.
Frying the chicken
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces, ensuring they are spaced apart to prevent them from sticking together.
- Fry the chicken until it achieves a golden brown color on both sides, turning occasionally for even cooking.
- Once fried, remove the chicken from the oil and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. This keeps your chicken crispy and ready for the next steps.
Making General Tso's Chicken
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic, and dry red chili, and sauté until they become aromatic and start to brown slightly, releasing deep flavors.
- Stir in both white and brown sugar, and continue mixing until the sugars melt and caramelize, creating a rich, glossy base for the sauce.
- Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, red pepper flakes, and rice vinegar. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and ensure the flavors blend seamlessly.
- Pour in the chicken broth, give the mixture a quick stir, and allow it to boil for a few minutes to let the sauce deepen in flavor and aroma.
- Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with the amount of water specified), ensuring it's fully integrated into the sauce. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens to a luxuriously silky consistency.
- Introduce the fried chicken pieces back into the pan, tossing them gently to coat every piece thoroughly with the sticky, flavorful sauce.
- Garnish the dish by sprinkling sesame seeds and freshly chopped spring onions on top for a burst of color and freshness. Stir gently to distribute the garnishes and serve your delectable General Tso's Chicken hot, perfect with steamed rice or noodles.
Serving
- Serve this General Tso's Chicken alongside white rice, fried rice, noodles, or your preferred sides for a satisfying and delicious lunch or dinner. This dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments, making it a versatile choice for any meal.
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Crispy Chicken: To achieve that perfectly crunchy bite, fry your marinated chicken over medium heat. This method ensures the chicken stays crispy without absorbing too much oil, which often occurs when frying at high temperatures.
- Homemade Sauce: The key to authentic General Tso's taste is in the sauce. Create yours from scratch with fresh ginger, garlic, and chicken broth to really bring out a fresh and robust flavor. While this recipe includes basic sauce instructions, for a more detailed guide, check out my dedicated post on General Tso's Sauce.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: Although this recipe recommends pan-frying the chicken, feel free to explore other methods. You can deep fry, bake, or even use an air fryer to get the crunch texture you desire.
- Balancing the Sauce: Tailor the sauce to your taste by adjusting the sweet and spicy elements. For more sweetness, add a bit more sugar or honey. If you prefer more heat, increase the chili flakes or add more hot sauce. For less heat, consider removing the seeds from the chili flakes or using fewer flakes.
- Flexible Protein Choices: While chicken breast is typically used, thighs or even bone-in pieces are great alternatives that can enhance the dish's flavor. For a vegetarian twist, substitute the chicken with tofu. Be sure to check out my recipe for General Tso's Tofu.
- Adjusting for Dietary Needs: To accommodate gluten-free and low-sodium diets, consider using tamari instead of soy sauce and opt for low-sodium chicken broth. This makes the recipe more accessible to those with specific dietary restrictions.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Want more? Explore a variety of chicken dishes in Chinese cuisine, blending classic flavors with modern cooking methods. From spicy stir-fries to comforting curries, our collection has something for everyone. Experience the authentic essence of Asian cuisine in every dish.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
- Serving: General Tso's Chicken is a flexible dish. It goes well with a variety of rice options—whether you prefer white, basmati, brown, jasmine or even fried rice. You can also pair it with noodles to switch things up. For a well-rounded meal, consider adding steamed broccoli or a mix of your favorite vegetables.
- Storage: For the best taste and texture, enjoy General Tso's Chicken right after cooking. Keeping it for too long can make the outer layer of the chicken soggy and less enjoyable. However, if you wish to store it, you can refrigerate it for up to a day in an airtight container.
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