Crispy & Sweet General Tso’s Chicken Recipe That Sizzles

Sizzling woks and tantalizing aromas dance through kitchens, promising a delectable General tsos chicken that brings restaurant-quality excitement to your dinner table.

Sticky, sweet, and perfectly crispy, this classic Chinese-American dish captures the essence of takeout comfort.

Bold flavors burst through each carefully battered morsel of tender chicken.

Layers of ginger, garlic, and chili create a symphony of taste that makes mouths water instantly.

The secret lies in balancing the precise blend of savory and sweet elements that make this recipe irresistible.

Restaurants have nothing on you when mastering this crowd-pleasing favorite.

One bite transports you to culinary bliss that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for General Tso’s Chicken

• Boneless Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that absorbs flavors beautifully, cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and perfect sauce coating.

• Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Hoisin Sauce: Powerful flavor enhancers that create a complex, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce base with authentic Asian flair.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a rich caramel-like sweetness that balances the savory elements and helps create a glossy sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Provides depth and moisture to the sauce, ensuring a silky smooth texture.

• Cornstarch, Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for creating a crispy, golden exterior on the chicken while seasoning and helping the sauce cling perfectly.
• Vegetable Oil: Ideal for high-heat frying, delivering a crisp and light coating on the chicken pieces.

• Garlic, Ginger: Foundational Asian flavor boosters that add warmth and depth to the dish.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a gentle kick of heat that can be adjusted to personal spice preference.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh, crunchy toppings that add visual appeal and a burst of brightness to the final dish.

Tools for Homemade General Tso’s Chicken

• Large skillet: Perfect for searing chicken to golden perfection with even heat distribution.
• Slow cooker: Essential for slow-cooking chicken and melding those amazing flavors together.
• Mixing bowl: Great for combining sauce ingredients and coating chicken with cornstarch mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurately measuring broth, sauces, and seasonings.
• Cutting board: Helpful for preparing garlic, ginger, and green onions with ease.
• Sharp knife: Ideal for chopping ingredients and slicing green onions for garnish.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for stirring ingredients and ensuring even coating in slow cooker.

How to Make General Tso’s Chicken at Home

• Chicken Preparation

Grab your chicken and slice it into bite-sized pieces that will cook perfectly and look amazing on your plate.

• Crispy Coating

Create a light, magical dusting of cornstarch, salt, and pepper that will make your chicken extra crunchy and delicious.

• Golden Searing

Heat up your skillet and transform those chicken pieces into golden treasures, cooking them until they’re beautifully bronzed and slightly crisp.

• Flavor Magic

Whip together a sauce that’s a symphony of tangy, sweet, and spicy notes – combining chicken broth, soy sauce, vinegar, hoisin, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a hint of red pepper for excitement.

• Slow Cook Perfection

Pour your incredible sauce over the chicken, letting everything mingle and develop deep, rich flavors during a slow cooking adventure that will make your kitchen smell incredible.

• Final Touch

When everything is done, give the chicken a final stir, sprinkle some green onions and sesame seeds on top for a pop of color and extra deliciousness, and serve alongside steamed rice or your favorite vegetables.

Tips for Better General Tso’s Chicken Flavor

• Shake off excess cornstarch before frying to achieve a perfectly light and crunchy exterior that locks in juicy chicken flavor.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on your heat tolerance – add more for fiery excitement or reduce for a milder taste that everyone can enjoy.
• Swap chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets for a plant-based version that still delivers the same delicious General Tso's punch.
• If the sauce seems too thin, mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to create a thicker, glossier coating.
• This dish freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently to maintain the chicken's tender texture and vibrant flavors.

Plating General Tso’s Chicken Like a Takeout Pro

• Flavor-Packed Companion Plate: Serve this zesty General Tsos Chicken atop fluffy steamed white rice to soak up all the delicious sauce and create a complete meal that'll satisfy serious hunger pangs.
• Veggie Crunch Complement: Add a side of crisp stir-fried broccoli or roasted bell peppers to bring fresh, vibrant colors and extra nutrition to your plate, balancing the rich chicken perfectly.
• Texture Party Topping: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions over the chicken for a delightful crunch and a pop of fresh flavor that elevates the entire dish's visual and taste appeal.
• Asian-Inspired Table Setting: Create an authentic experience by serving in traditional ceramic bowls, using chopsticks, and pairing with a cold Asian beer or refreshing green tea to complement the meal's bold flavors.

How to Store General Tso’s Chicken Leftovers

• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Chop chicken and mix sauce ingredients ahead of time, storing separately in airtight containers for quick weeknight cooking. Refrigerate prepped components up to 2 days before final cooking.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Package cooled General Tso's chicken in freezer-safe containers, keeping for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently in microwave or skillet to maintain crispy texture.
• Leftover Transformation Tricks: Repurpose remaining chicken by chopping and adding to salads, wraps, or fried rice for exciting next-day meals. Ensure proper refrigeration within 2 hours of cooking and consume within 3-4 days.
• Sauce Storage Solution: Keep extra sauce in sealed glass jar in refrigerator for up to one week. Use as quick marinade or stir-fry enhancer for future Asian-inspired dishes, saving time and reducing food waste.

Crispy General Tsos Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Spicy General Tso’s chicken blends Chinese-American culinary traditions with bold, tangy flavors. Crispy battered chicken pieces glazed in a sweet-spicy sauce promise a restaurant-quality meal you can easily recreate at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 boneless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 120 ml (4 fl oz) low-sodium soy sauce
• 60 ml (2 fl oz) rice vinegar
• 30 ml (1 fl oz) hoisin sauce
• 120 ml (4 fl oz) chicken broth
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil (for frying)
• 30 g (1 oz) brown sugar
• 2 tsps minced garlic
• 5 g (0.2 oz) minced ginger
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
• sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Coating Preparation: Uniformly dust chicken pieces with cornstarch, kosher salt, and black pepper, ensuring complete coverage for a crisp exterior.
2. Searing Stage: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, quickly browning chicken in small batches until golden and slightly crisp, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
3. Sauce Creation: Whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Slow Cooking Process: Transfer seared chicken to slow cooker, pour prepared sauce over the pieces, gently stirring to coat evenly. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours (or high heat for 2 hours) until chicken is tender and sauce is richly developed.
5. Finishing Touches: Stir chicken to redistribute sauce, creating a glossy and appetizing presentation. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve alongside steamed jasmine rice or preferred side vegetables.

Notes

• Coat Chicken Carefully: Use cornstarch mixture to create a crispy, light exterior that prevents soggy texture and helps sauce adhere perfectly.
• Batch Fry Strategically: Cook chicken in small groups to maintain high oil temperature, ensuring each piece gets golden-brown crispiness without overcrowding the pan.
• Sauce Balance Matters: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to blend sweet, tangy, and spicy elements, creating a harmonious flavor profile that coats chicken evenly.
• Slow Cook Wisely: Low and slow cooking allows flavors to develop deeply, transforming chicken into tender, sauce-infused morsels that melt in your mouth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg