Delicious plate of General Tso's Chicken with crispy chicken and savory sauce.

General Tso’s Chicken

why make this recipe

General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that is loved by many. It features crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sauce. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. It brings a delightful mix of flavors and textures that will satisfy your cravings for takeout, but it’s easy to make right at home!

how to make General Tso’s Chicken

To make General Tso’s Chicken, follow these simple steps:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Directions:

  1. Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until crispy.
  3. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger; sauté for 30 seconds.
  5. Add chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes to the skillet, stirring to combine.
  6. Return the chicken to the skillet and stir until coated in the sauce.
  7. Cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.
  8. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with green onions.

how to serve General Tso’s Chicken

Serve General Tso’s Chicken hot over a bed of cooked rice. You can also add steamed broccoli or stir-fried vegetables on the side for a complete meal. Garnish with sliced green onions for an extra pop of color and flavor.

how to store General Tso’s Chicken

If you have leftovers, store General Tso’s Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for about 3 to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave it until hot, or heat it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

tips to make General Tso’s Chicken

  • Make sure to coat the chicken well in cornstarch for that crispy texture.
  • You can adjust the sugar to make the sauce sweeter or the red pepper flakes for added heat according to your taste.
  • If you want a bit more sauce, simply increase the chicken broth and soy sauce in the recipe.

variation

For a healthier version, you can use baked chicken instead of frying. Just season the chicken with your favorite spices, bake it, and then toss it in the sauce.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, you can! Chicken thighs will add more flavor and remain juicy.

What can I serve with General Tso’s Chicken?
It pairs well with white rice, fried rice, or steamed vegetables.

Is this recipe spicy?
This recipe is mildly spicy due to the red pepper flakes. You can omit them if you prefer a milder dish.

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General Tso’s Chicken

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A popular Chinese dish featuring crispy chicken in a sweet and savory sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

  • Author: raelynn-harper
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stir Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese
  • Diet: None

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until crispy.
  3. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger; sauté for 30 seconds.
  5. Add chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes to the skillet, stirring to combine.
  6. Return the chicken to the skillet and stir until coated in the sauce.
  7. Cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.
  8. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with green onions.

Notes

Make sure to coat the chicken well in cornstarch for that crispy texture. Adjust sugar and red pepper flakes to your taste.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 700mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

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