The Best General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
The Best GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN recipe that is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Way better than from a take-out restaurant!
In my efforts to make our favourite take-out meals at home, of course I’d include this Chinese classic.
Quite often I make Chicken Teriyaki Dragon Bowl, this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe, and this General Tso Chicken. All are the best restaurant copycats.
A popular chinese takeout dishes for great reason, it’s the crispy sweet with that hint of spice that hits all the cravings.
Plus one of the best things about this recipe is that it’s ready in 30 minutes. And if you’re looking for more quick and easy chicken recipes, you must try our Baked Panko Chicken.
Yet as usual, I go somewhat light on the spice factor of this general tso’s chicken recipe. I do this to make this dish more family-friendly in my efforts to please both the kids and adults alike.
What is General Tso’s Chicken?
One one of the most iconic dishes in North American Chinese restaurants, its sweet, sour, and spicy all at the same time. You know, all the good stuff we like, including both a sweet sauce and also a tangy sauce.
It is said to originate from the Hunan province of China and is named after a well-respected Chinese military leader, General Tso.
What is General Tso’s Sauce Made Of?
There are many variations, yet the goal is to get sweet, sour, and spicy flavours. The sauce for General Tso’s chicken is typically made of sauce ingredients that include: rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, and some corn starch to thicken the sauce.
The variations of General Tsos Chicken recipes basically lie in the method of cooking and the crispy coating.
Which makes sense, because all Chinese food isn’t created equal. So, this is just one among many, yet one that I would personally consider made the right way. It’s one of our favorite dishes to make.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Our General Tso Chicken has a sweet, tangy sauce with a spicy kick. A delicious recipe for dinner, lunch or leftovers, and is ready in just 30 minutes! This general tso chicken from scratch is so easy to make at home.
This is not a deep frying recipe, and I try and use a Wok yet a large skillet (deep skillet) will do as well.
To get that super crispy chicken, you could coat the chicken in the cornstarch and cook before cooking in the sauce. Yet for ease, I add everything together to save a step.
I have found that this gives best results when compared to cook time and hassle. Its what makes this an easy recipe to get this homemade chinese dish.
That being said, let’s dive into making this great recipe and what I consider one of the best chicken recipes.
How to Make General Tso’s Chicken
Check out the printable recipe card below for the ingredients list and steps to make. You’ll appreciate that these are common pantry staples!
To make Chinese general tso chicken recipe, you start with cutting the boneless skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. You can also use chicken thighs for this recipe, if you’d like.
In a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and cook until the cubed chicken is no longer pink.
It’s done when the pieces of chicken turns a golden brown and you have cooked crispy chicken pieces. This will take about 10 minutes.
Remove the chicken breast from the wok and set aside.
In the same wok, add the hoisin sauce, chicken broth (or chicken stock), brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, garlic powder, ginger powder, and cornstarch.
Stir and bring to boil, and cook until the cornstarch mixture has thickened. This will take about 5 minutes.
Add the cooked chicken back into the wok with the sauce. Cook for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish. Serve this popular chinese dish hot.
Why Add Cornstarch to the Sauce?
Some recipes call for cooking the chicken in a cornstarch coating before cooking the sauce, and that is fine. Yet I find the coating soaks in the sauce anyway after some time, so this step isn’t worth it for me. You’ll still get crispy chicken and a thick sauce with this recipe.
Tips For This Chicken Recipe:
- Make sure the amount of chicken doesn’t exceed the size of your pan. This avoids each piece of chicken from sticking and clumping together when cooking.
- To increase the spiciness of your chicken, feel free to add red pepper flakes. If you like extra spicy general tso’s chicken and a really spicy sauce, try dried red chili peppers, fresh red chilies or chili paste.
- Watch the temperature of your oil. If too hot, the outside of the chicken can burn before the inside cooks through. If too cold, the chicken will absorb too much oil and be greasy. The trick is hot oil that isn’t too hot.
- It needs to be said, the oil will spit. Be careful.
- Check out the substitutions below for this homemade general tso’s chicken recipe.
What to Serve with General Tso’s Chicken
Like our One Pot Moroccan Chicken Stew, I like to serve this chicken with white rice, brown rice or cauliflower rice. This is a great time to try our Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe.
Also serve with some steamed vegetables such as broccoli, baby bok choy, or cauliflower.
Other side dish options include rice noodle, or quinoa.
Storage and Reheating
To Store: You can store this chicken dish in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure it’s in an airtight container or well covered with plastic wrap for maximum freshness.
How to Freeze: You can also freeze for up to 3 months. If you make this recipe for freezing immediately, I will advise you to freeze the sauce and the chicken separately for better texture.
How to reheat general tso chicken: To reheat, you can use the microwave yet it will not be as crispy as it was originally. You could pan fry until heated through to avoid this.
Substitutions:
- Hoisin sauce: Soy sauce
- Brown sugar: 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or 1 tablespoon of honey
- Ginger powder: 1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger
- Garlic powder: 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
For More Asian- Inspired Recipes:
- Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Mongolian Chicken
- Easy Wonton Soup
- Oriental Chicken Salad
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Easy Chicken Stir-Fry
- Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
- Ramen Noodle Salad
General Tso's Chicken Recipe
The Best GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN recipe that is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Perfect combination of sweet and spicy, and better than from a take-out restaurant!
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch cubes.
- In a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken and cook until the chicken is no longer pink. (about 10 minutes).
- Remove from the wok and set aside.
- In the same wok, add the hoisin sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ginger powder, and cornstarch. Stir and bring to boil, and cook until the sauce has thickened. ( about 5 minutes).
- Add the cooked chicken back into the wok with the sauce—Cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onion.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Serve chicken with steamed vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, or cauliflower. Also great with rice, rice noodle, or quinoa
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 402Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 728mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 2gSugar: 20gProtein: 39g
Created by Tammi Roy
Tammi Roy is the founder of My Organized Chaos, a Canadian food and lifestyle blog. She lives in Alberta, Canada and is the mom of three beautiful teenage girls. Tammi’s passions are her family, creating and sharing delicious recipes, travelling and photography. Learn more about Tammi.
In the summer, it’s all about the BBQ. Chicken wings in so many different flavours. YUM!
BBQ chicken wings are a favourite here!
My favourite chicken dish to make for summer entertaining is Grilled Lemon Chicken Kabobs. They are a quick.and delicious dinner!
We make a really nice spicy doritos crumb chicken burger, perfect for pool side fun.
My favorite is chicken satay with peanut sauce. Yummy!
BBQ Chicken flat bread. Just use naan or flatbread, put some BBQ pulled chicken on top, some shredded cheese (mozza is good), a bit of sliced red onion, and whatever else you want, and warm it up.
I love any flavoured Chicken Lettuce Wraps!
I like the Mango Chutney Chicken. I think it would be the perfect dish for a summer dinner party. Fresh and something different than the usual bbq.
Citrus Ginger Rub Chicken Wings
We like to make chicken souvlaki on the grill. Marinate the chicken with greek spices and wine and oil and grill. With a tzatziki sauce, some rice and salad it’s a great meal for the summer.
Chicken Divan is my favourite chicken recipe for summer & year round entertaining.
Chicken Marbella
I like to make pulled chicken in the crock pot..keeps rhe house from getting hotter in the summer months
I make so many dishes with chicken, it’s hard to pick my one fave! I guess one of my family’s favourites is Kung Pao Chicken! I make this on a regular basis and it’s absolutely delicious! Served over a bed of fresh chow mein noodles. Mmmmmm
My boys LOVES my Mushroom Chicken Breast dinner. The sauce is their favourite.
Honey garlic chicken wings using garlic, soy sauce, ginger, oil, salt and pepper
Chicken stir fry with honey garlic for my family 🙌🙌🙌🙌
This looks amazing. Can’t wait to make it
I love a classic bbq chicken in a good chicken rub! We also love Lebanese style chicken on kebabs.
My favourite summer chicken recipe is skewers on the grill. I love giving them a Greek marinade and serving with potatoes and veggies
Chicken tacos with pineapple salsa is my favorite summer entertaining recipe.
Chicken a la king is my favourite recipe.
I love Chicken Parmigiana! So tasty and easy !
I love making a good old fashioned Fried Chicken that I learned from my Godparents maid, an elderly black lady in Louisville, Kentucky. Authentic Kentucky fried chicken
Chicken salad in the summer is my go to chicken recipe for entertaining
My favorite summer chicken recipe is cooked chicken breasts with VH mango curry sauce over rice. So quick and delicious!
I love to make chicken burgers on the grill!
My favorite chicken recipes are chicken cordon Blue and chicken hibachi.. Both so yummy!!
Mongolian Chicken! So good!
I love all the chicken recipes. Delicious!
Layered Mexican Chicken Salad would be my favourite!
This summer I will be going with my favorite chicken recipe – it’s a very lightly seasoned chicken shishkebob, with red onion, yellow peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and pineapple. Yum!
Asian Chicken Wings is a family favourite!
Chicken on the BBQ
I love making general tao chicken
I love serving butter chicken
Chicken bites are easy! In a greased muffin tin, crack one egg into each slot, then add spinach, chicken, feta cheese, and dill. Bake for 20mins at 350.
Bbq chicken!
I love to serve grilled chicken and pineapple skewers in the summertime.
Definitely adding to this to this week’s meal plan!
Beer can chicken on the bbq
During summer I love to BBQ chicken breast and then use them in Ceasar wraps. It’s so refreshing and quick
Chicken soup for every season. The recipe is loved by my family all year long.
My favourite summer chicken recipe is grilled Greek chicken kabobs. They are so moist and delicious and the whole family gobbles them up.
My favourite is this BBQ receipe for Greek Drumsticks and Potatoes with Tzatziki. Yum!
This receipe sounds really good I will have to give it a try sometime.
My favorite receipe for entertaining in the summer time is chicken salad wraps served with sliced veggies and fruit on the side.
I love Barbecued thighs, drums and wings!
I like chicken wings and BBQ sauce. Then hot sauce. With corn on the cob and baked potato.
One of my favorite summer recipes is roasted chicken and cauliflower salad
I like a chicken souvilaki . I marinate i inch cubes of chiken in minced garlic, olive oil, several spices. Put on a skewer & chill several hours before BBQing or frying.
I like shish kabob chickens skewers on the bbq
My favourite summer chicken is drumsticks on the bbq! Simple and delicious
Classic Chicken Parmesan is my favorite. Thanks for the recipes.
My favourite chicken dish for summer is a Chicken Fajita Salad. I cut up a chicken breast and marinate it in lime juice and spices and cook it in a cast iron pan. It is served in a tortilla bowl with grilled veggies, guacamole and we vary other ingredients according to what we have in the fridge. We have this at least 2 or 3 times each month.
We love chicken on the rotisserie with rosemary and lemon halves and garlic shoved in the cavity and some spices under the skin. A family fave!!
Love lemon chicken, beer can chicken on the bbq
My favourite summer chicken recipe is sticky baked chicken legs
Chicken Cacciatore
Looks amazing and I am sure my family would love this!!
Bbq Chicken Skewers
I like to put an awesome spice blend on my chicken then a bbq sauce at the very end of cooking as a flavourful glaze.
Would love to try out the Slow cooker Chicken Parmesan recipe! Thanks for all the great recipes 😊 👏
I love making Chicken Feta Burgers for summer entertaining, or Grilled Chicken Wings with Indian Spice Rub.
My favourite summertime chicken recipe is a simple salad with butter lettuce, tomatoes, any other garden vegetables that are ready, topped with grilled chicken
kebabs.
Tropical Chicken Kabobs , I love Kabobs and the Chicken.ca site has a good few ideas ! Can’t wait to try them all!
I enjoy a chicken salad with cranberries and cucumber served in a wrap.
Chicken Kabobs. Trying new recipes.
Love a Rotisserie BBQ Chicken changing up the sauces.
Chicken kabobs, trying new recipe.
Chicken Souvlaki is my favourite 😋
Love the P.F. Changs copycat chicken lettuce wraps
Chicken of the Tropics kabob style! Chicken and pineapple…yum!!
I love making any kind of chicken wings, I’m always experimenting. My daughter is currently perfecting a bbq chicken sandwich too.
I love teriyaki chicken on the bbq!!
I love making lemon herbed chicken thighs!
We had chicken casserole with dumplings on top.
Love your recipes. Seasoned chicken tenders done on bbq or open fire
Cajun Chicken breasts
I love serving my baked cheese, broccoli stuffed, bacon wrapped chicken breasts for entertaining. They look great served on a plate with sides, and it’s so tasty!!!
Lemon Chicken, just not quite there yet in cooking it
we love to bbq chicken breasts
Grilled chicken is great as you can use it on a variety of ways!
Summertime is all about the grill! Chicken kebobs are quick, easy, nutritious and look super amazing with all the fabulous colours you can add!
For the summer jerk chicken kabobs
I love easy-peasy chicken & vegetable kebabs in the summer! Anything that doesn’t heat up my house and is so kid-friendly gets two thumbs up.
Chicken souvlaki
Our favorite summer chicken meal is chicken ceasar salad!
I love making chicken burgers for summer entertaining. Delicious!
I love my chicken breast with a bit of seasoning and done on the BBQ with a fresh salad.
Buffalo chicken strips on the BBQ! Spicy and smoky for me! 🙂
I love chicken vegetable skewers.
I like chicken marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, red pepper flakes, garlic and oyster sauce.
Summer means bbq chicken for me. Love to either put on the rotisserie with a great spice rub or split and flattened with tons of spice –
Korean BBQ Chicken Wings on the grill
General Tso’s Chicken
I love chicken thighs on the BBQ with spicy BBQ sauce.
I often serve Parmesan Chicken to my guests. I never met anyone who didn’t love it. Needs a nice crisp salad to go with it. Strawberry shortcake for dessert is always a great idea.
Teryaki chicken breasts
Chicken caesar salad!
I’m a big fan of Lemon Chicken
Bbq’d chicken thighs
I like chicken burgers with lettuce & tomato.
I like a nice chicken Caesar salad
Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are my favourite
I would make some dry rubbed BBQ wings – so good!
I like Armenian chicken kebabs on the BBQ.
We like chicken kabobs on the BBQ
Chicken Kebabs!
My favourite summer chicken recipe is Marmalade Soy Chicken Wings
Spatchcock chicken!
Chicken Shawarma
I love a good chicken salad with spinach, strawberries, and pecans. Healthy and delicious!
My favourite chicken dish to make for summer entertaining is Beer Can Chicken
My mother’s ‘Cantonese Chicken’ recipe
Jerk Chicken on the grill!
Thai-Style Sweet Chili Chicken (slow cooker) Yum
BBQ Chicken breasts!
We enjoy chicken broccoli divan year round.
My favourite chicken recipe is sweet ‘n’ sour chicken!
My husband makes BBQ chicken by marinating the pieces in a garlicky marinade, then grilling over med-low heat on a cooking sheet.
I love grilling chicken burgers and loading them with all sorts of vegetables and cheeses.
Butter Chicken with jasmine rice.
Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
Butter chicken is my favorite.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki, grilled on the BBQ, is my favourite summer chicken recipe
I love making (and eating) chicken burgers on the barbeque.
BBQ chicken on the grill.
BBQ time!
I love blackened chicken. So spicy and flavourful!
BBQ drumsticks on the grill alongside corn on the cob are one of my favourite summer meals.
i love making my bbq chicken wings or for my grand children chicken fingers. they helped me with all of the ingredients. you are never to young to learn how to cook.
I love to make a bbq Chicken Ceasar Salad in the summer. So tasty!!
BBQ chicken
I would love to try the Classic Chicken Parm.
Anything crispy. Most bbq chicken is slimy, saucy, or charred, which I find unpalatable.
my favourite chicken recipe is chicken kabobs on the BBQ
I love a spicy version of the general tsos chicken recipe and love chicken souvlaki on the BBQ.
Love a good seasoned chicken breast on the BBQ
I love grilled chicken legs.
Hot Chicken Sandwich with fries and coleslaw…all home-made.
I enjoy chicken skewers on the bbq that have sat in a lemony marinade for a couple of hours
Lemon grilled chicken with tabbouleh or Moroccan grilled chicken with couscous! Definitely something light!
My favourite chicken recipe is the BBQ chicken that I buy pre-cooked at the nearby grocery store. It doesn’t heat up the house and require any effort. The store is just a short drive away.
Favourite chicken recipe for summer entertaining is beer can chicken.
hot hamburger with fries and peas!!! reminds me of my mom
Ok, this is embarrassing but it’s a longtime family fave and requires the least effort imaginable! A picnic fave is a bucket of the Colonel’s finest. But buy it ahead of time and chill it!! Cold fried chicken! An amazing summertime treat!
I recently discovered Indian fusion. Can’t get enough of butter chicken tacos in naan.
Chicken burgers on the bbq is a favorite around here
Chicken kebabs, had some today!
Beer can roasted chicken. so moist and delicious
All year long but especially in the summer – any kind of chicken on the bbq! A go to favourite is greek inspired marinated boneless chicken things with some nice grilled potatoes, farm fresh veggies, and some cool tzatziki
I love jerk chicken!
pral20@yahoo.com
My favorite chicken recipe for entertaining is chicken skewers on the grill.
Chicken salad sandwiches
I need some better chicken recipes and this one looks delicious. My go to is marinated chicken on the bbq.
I’d love to try a chicken and pasta combination.
Chicken Shawarma!
Chicken tandoori kabobs.
Beer can chicken on the barby.
I like to make a greek spiced Chicken Kabob to serve with a large Greek Salad for easy summer entertaining
i like bbq chicken pasta salad
I find chicken salad is perfect for summer.
Chicken Souvlaki
Our family enjoys bbq and picnics with family and friends and grilled chicken satay in skewers is always in the menu.
I am trying this tonight! yummy! Thanks 🙂
also chicken theighs 🙂
Chicken pasta salad is a family favorite have it often in the summer
Honey Garlic Wings…yum!!!
Im kinda boring, just simple teryaki grilled chicken is so yummy!
I enjoy satay sauce with some chili sauce added.
The teryaki grilled chicken sounds really good.
I like chicken wrapped in bacon with a little marmalade on top.
Chicken salad is one of my faves.
Love the Grilled Teryaki Chicken.
The bbq chicken pasta salad sounds pretty tasty.
Chicken Souvlaki would be my choice.
One of our summertime favourites is chicken with veggies on a skewer!
BBQ chicken wings are my favourite chicken recipe for summer entertaining.
BBQ Chicken wings for sure!
Chicken tandoori kabobs sounds pretty good.
Chicken tandoori kabobs would be one of my choices.
My favourite chicken recipe is Chicken Thai Salad – penne noodles, red/yellow/orange peppers. red onion, snap peas with a thai dressing. So good!
I love Lemon Chicken
Beer can chicken sounds pretty interesting.
My favourite chicken recipe for summer entertaining are Slow Cooker Chicken Al Pastor Tacos – who wants to make the house hot with an oven or be busy on the grill when you can use a slow cooker to help make great tacos! 🙂
Butter chicken tacos also sounds good.
My favorite summer chicken recipe would probably be lemon chicken on the barbecue. I would like to try that Easy Chicken Curry Recipe. Sounds delicious.
BBQ Chicken Kabobs
Love the idea of Chicken Parmesan.
The bbq chicken pasta salad sounds really nice.