General Tso’s Chicken
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
745 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
General Tso’s Chicken
Description
This recipe coats chicken breast pieces first in egg whites, then in a seasoned mix of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper, creating a crunchy exterior once pan-fried in hot oil. The accompanying sauce, made from hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes, is combined and simmered until warm and thickened. Tossing the cooked chicken in this sticky sauce just before serving ensures a flavorful coating that is both savory and lightly sweet with a hint of heat.
The chicken's crispness contrasts with the glossy sauce, and the bite-sized pieces make it suitable for serving over steamed rice or alongside vegetables. The method supports batch cooking to cook chicken evenly and avoid overcrowding the pan.
Options include using extra-firm tofu as a vegetarian substitute with pressing out moisture, air frying the breaded chicken for lighter cooking, or slow cooker variations with adjusted sauce timing. Gluten-free versions are possible by substituting gluten-free flour and soy-based sauces. Each method adapts the texture and cooking style while maintaining the signature flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast cut into small pieces, boneless skinless
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 2 large egg white
- 1/2 cup neutral cooking oil vegetable or canola oil, generic cooking oil
General Tso's Sauce:
- 2/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup soy sauce low-sodium
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar , packed
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger , or 1 Tablespoon fresh minced ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more, to taste, crushed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Make General Tso's Sauce: Add the sauce ingredients to a bowl and whisk well to combine. Set aside.
- Make breading: Add cornstarch, flour, and salt and pepper to a large ziplock bag and shake to combine. Whisk egg whites in a separate bowl.
- Coat chicken: Add chicken pieces to the egg whites and toss to coat. Spoon coated chicken pieces into the ziplock bag, allowing excess egg to drip back into the bowl. Shake the bag to coat chicken evenly in the cornstarch mixture.
- Cook chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil. Once oil is hot, add some of the chicken (it's best to cook the chicken in 2 or 3 batches, so it browns better). Cook the chicken 2-3 minutes on each side, until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Remove to a plate. Repeat until all of the chicken has cooked, and set aside on a plate.
- Add sauce: Add the sauce to the pan and simmer until warm and thickened. Toss the chicken in the sauce just before serving.
- Serve with hot cooked white or brown rice. Garnish with chopped green onions.
Notes
- For a vegetarian alternative, press excess moisture out of extra-firm tofu before breading and cooking.
- Air fryer method: preheat to 400°F, spread breaded chicken pieces separately, spray with olive oil, cook 15 minutes.
- Slow cooker option: brown chicken on high heat briefly, add half sauce, cook on low 2-3 hours, then stir in remaining sauce and garnish.
- To make gluten-free, replace flour, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce with gluten-free versions.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 745 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 745kcal | 37% |
| Carbohydrates | 63g | 21% |
| Protein | 43g | 86% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9g | 53% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 110mg | 37% |
| Sodium | 1743mg | 73% |
| Potassium | 842mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 26g | 52% |
| Vitamin A | 129IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 52mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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