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Chinese General Tso's Chicken on broccoli takeout recipe on a plate.

General Tso's Chicken - Better Than Takeout

This easy General Tso’s Chicken recipe features crispy fried chicken coated in a sticky, sweet-spicy sauce. A classic Chinese-American favorite, made healthier and fresher at home.
Servings 4
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup cornstarch

For the Sauce:

  • 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 3 –4 dried red chilies
  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water slurry

For Frying and Serving:

  • 2 –3 cups vegetable oil for frying
  • Cooked white rice for serving
  • Chopped green onions or sesame seeds optional

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix chicken with soy sauce and egg. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
  • Add cornstarch to the chicken and toss to coat.
  • Heat oil in a wok or deep skillet to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  • In a small bowl, whisk hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch slurry.
  • In a clean wok, heat a tablespoon of oil. Sauté garlic, ginger, and dried chilies for 30 seconds.
  • Pour in the sauce mixture and stir until thickened and bubbling.
  • Add fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
  • Serve immediately with steamed rice and garnish with green onions if desired.

Notes

RECIPE TIPS

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier results, but chicken breasts work well too.
  • Make the sauce ahead and refrigerate up to 3 days.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying—cook in batches for maximum crispiness.
  • To reheat: use a toaster oven or air fryer to keep the coating crisp.
  • Make it gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free hoisin.

SERVING IDEAS

  • Serve over steamed jasmine rice or fried rice.
  • Add steamed broccoli or sautéed snow peas for a complete meal.
  • Pair with egg rolls or dumplings for a Chinese takeout-style dinner.

NUTRITION FACTS (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 540 kcal (27% DV)
  • Carbohydrates: 45g (15% DV)
  • Protein: 30g (60% DV)
  • Total Fat: 27g (42% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 5g (25% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 120mg (40% DV)
  • Sodium: 800mg (33% DV)
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
Note: Nutrition estimates vary based on ingredients and serving sizes.
Calories: 540kcal
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese, Hunan
Keyword: Chinese takeout chicken, easy Asian dinner, homemade General Tso, sweet spicy chicken