Asian-Inspired
General Tso Chicken
General Tso chicken is defined by its sauce — sweet, tangy and just spicy enough — clinging to crispy fried pieces of chicken. This homemade version fries the chicken in a light cornstarch coating for crunch, then tosses everything in a sauce that comes together while the chicken cooks.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Crispy fried chicken without deep-fry batter mess
- Sweet-spicy-tangy sauce built from pantry staples
- Genuinely better than most takeout versions
- Great served over rice with steamed broccoli
Ingredients
Full ingredient list below — check off items as you shop or cook.
Instructions
- Toss the chicken pieces with the egg and 1/2 tsp salt, then dredge in 1/3 cup cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes, until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Pour off most of the oil, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pan. Add the garlic, ginger and dried chiles if using, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, hoisin sauce and chicken broth. Pour into the pan and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
- Return the crispy chicken to the pan and toss quickly to coat in the sauce without letting it sit too long and go soggy.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and serve immediately over rice.
Tips for success
- Toss the fried chicken in the sauce right before serving — letting it sit in sauce too long softens the crispy coating.
- Fry in batches so the oil temperature doesn't drop too much, which is what gives you crispy rather than greasy chicken.
- Remove the dried chiles before eating if you added them; they're for flavoring the oil, not for eating whole.
- This sauce base also works well tossed with crispy tofu for a vegetarian version.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make the chicken extra crispy?
A light cornstarch dredge (rather than a thick flour batter) and frying in hot oil in small batches without crowding the pan both help maximize crispiness.
Can I bake or air fry the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, air fry at 400°F for about 12-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, though it will be slightly less crispy than pan-frying.
How spicy is General Tso chicken?
Traditionally it has a mild-to-moderate heat from dried chiles; leave them out entirely for a completely mild version.
What can I serve with General Tso chicken?
Steamed white rice and stir-fried or steamed broccoli are the classic pairings.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 486 |
| Protein | 30g |
| Carbs | 38g |
| Fat | 24g |
| Sodium | 920mg |
| Sugar | 18g |
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary based on exact ingredients and brands used.
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