4.8 from 90 votes
General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Recreate your favorite restaurant’s General Tso’s Chicken quickly and easily at home with this simple recipe! Tender, battered chicken thighs are lightly fried until perfectly crispy, then tossed in a sweet, spicy, and sticky sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and dried chili peppers. Ready in under 45 minutes, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 494 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
Asian
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon cornstarch divided
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil divided
- ⅓ cup soy sauce or tamari
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh ginger
- 3 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha optional
Serving:
- cooked white rice
- green onions green parts only, thinly sliced, optional
- toasted sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, whisk together ¼ cup of the cornstarch, flour, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, shake off any excess coating from half of the chicken and add it to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, then turn and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, or until crispy and lightly golden. Line a plate with paper towels. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to the paper towel-lined plate. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons avocado oil to the skillet and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- While the chicken cooks, in a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sriracha, if using, and the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
- Once the skillet is empty, reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the soy sauce mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly, or until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Reduce the heat to low, return the chicken to the skillet, and cook until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the General Tso’s Chicken over a bed of white rice, topped with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if using.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Chicken. Boneless skinless breasts may be used instead of thighs.
- Nutrition. Facts are calculated based on a serving of chicken without any rice or sides.
- Prep ahead. Whisk together sauce ingredients, but don't cook yet. Cut the chicken, but wait to coat in the flour and starch.
- Storage. This will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It may lose a little of its crispness, but you can freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3-4 months. To reheat, add back to a skillet until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Calories
494kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
36g
(72%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
162mg
(54%)
Sodium
1834mg
(76%)
Potassium
525mg
(15%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
18g
(36%)
Vitamin A
45IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
44mg
(4%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 494
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 494kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 162mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 1834mg | 76% |
| Potassium | 525mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 45IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 44mg | 4% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.