General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Craving bold restaurant flavors but want something easy enough for a busy weeknight? General Tso’s Chicken checks every box—crispy chicken tossed in a tangy, sweet, and deeply savory sauce that’s a true crowd pleaser. This takeout-inspired recipe brings all the flavor of your favorite Chinese-American classic to your own kitchen, and it’s surprisingly simple to make!

Why Make This General Tso’s Chicken Recipe?

Unlike many fried chicken recipes, this version uses a quick cornstarch coating for crispiness without excess oil or complicated batters. The sauce is made from pantry staples and perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and umami notes, making it irresistible. Serve it over steamed rice or stir-fried veggies for a complete meal everyone will love.

Homemade Sauce for General Tso’s Chicken

What sets this recipe apart is the homemade sauce—crafted with soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger for layered flavor. A touch of chili paste adds heat, while brown sugar provides that signature sticky-sweet finish. Simmering the sauce before tossing with the chicken ensures every bite is bursting with flavor.

Crisping and Coating the Chicken

Start by tossing bite-sized chicken pieces in egg and cornstarch (rather than flour), guaranteeing a light, crunchy texture that soaks up the sauce beautifully. Pan-frying in a moderate amount of oil achieves a golden exterior without deep-frying, keeping dinner simple and cleanup quick.

Serving Suggestions for General Tso’s Chicken

Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for fresh flavor and texture. Serve alongside fluffy jasmine rice, steamed broccoli, or simple sautéed bok choy to round out the meal. This dish is sure to make dinnertime exciting—no takeout menu required!

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This General Tso’s Chicken Recipe serves 4 and provides about 400-450 calories per serving (without rice), depending on portion size and oil used. For a lighter option, use chicken breast and serve with plenty of veggies.

Memorable General Tso’s Chicken Recipe (Recap)

Crispy, saucy, and ready faster than delivery, this General Tso’s Chicken recipe is the ultimate homemade takeout fix. Its balanced, restaurant-style sauce and crave-worthy chicken make it a must-try for anyone looking to bring big flavor home.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly organize your shopping list by grocery store section, making meal planning and grocery trips a breeze with CookifyAI.

Instructions

1. Prep the chicken: In a bowl, beat the eggs. In a separate bowl, combine the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Dip chicken pieces first in egg, then dredge in cornstarch, coating well.
2. Crisp the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces in batches until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel–lined plate.
3. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water until smooth.
4. Drain skillet, leaving a small amount of oil. Add garlic and ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chili paste, then pour in sauce mixture.
5. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in sesame oil.
6. Return crispy chicken to skillet, tossing to coat evenly with sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to heat through.
7. Serve over rice, topped with green onions and sesame seeds.

Weekly Meal Planning

Including General Tso’s Chicken in your weekly meal prep brings convenience and excitement to your table. Save and schedule this recipe to CookifyAI to generate smart shopping lists, plan multiple meals, and ensure you never forget an ingredient again.

Planning Benefits:

• Automates ingredient calculations across all scheduled meals
• Organizes your shopping list by store aisle for faster, more efficient trips
• Reduces food waste by tracking ingredients you already have
• Makes prepping a week’s worth of meals simple and stress-free

Pro tip: When combining recipes like this with other planned dinners, schedule your meals to consolidate ingredients automatically—for example, letting you know exactly how much chicken or garlic to buy for the whole week!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Now you’re ready to savor the crispy, tangy-sweet perfection of homemade General Tso’s Chicken—simple enough for a weeknight, delicious enough for any occasion!