• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Munaty Cooking
  • Recipe Index
  • Chicken
  • Videos
  • Main Meals
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Chicken
  • Videos
  • Main Meals
  • About Me
×

Home » Main Meals

General Tso's Chicken

Published: May 5, 2023 by Muna · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Recipe Video

If it's crispy and delicious, it's gotta be General Tso's Chicken. This recipe tastes so close to the restaurant that you'll wonder why you ever ordered take-out in the first place.

General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese-American dish that has gained immense popularity worldwide. This dish is known for its crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a spicy-sweet sauce, making it a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

General Tso's chicken feature image.
Jump to:
  • 🥘 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED FOR GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
  • 💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • 🔪 HOW TO MAKE GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
  • 💭 COOKING TIPS FOR GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
  • 📖 DELICIOUS VARIATIONS OF GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
  • 🍲 MORE CHICKEN RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
  • 🌡️ HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Today, General Tso's Chicken has become a staple in Chinese-American cuisine, with different recipe variations being served in many Chinese restaurants across the United States.

The recipe is made with bite-sized pieces of chicken that are first seasoned, coated in a batter, and then fried until crispy. The chicken is tossed in a flavorful sauce made with a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and spices, creating the perfect balance of flavors.

This General Tso's Chicken recipe is easy to make, and you can serve it as a main course with rice or noodles, making it a perfect dish for any weeknight dinner or special occasion. You'll get classic flavors in each bite!

So, let's create a delicious and authentic General Tso's Chicken dish that will leave everyone wanting more!

🥘 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED FOR GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

All you need are some simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious chicken dish at home.

You can scroll down to the recipe card for further details and instructions.

Chicken: We will need some chicken to make into bite-sized pieces. You can buy it pre-cubed or use breasts or chicken thighs and cube them yourself. 

Sauces: The two sauces we'll use in this recipe are soy sauce and oyster sauce. Soy sauce adds a rich, salty flavor, and oyster sauce is savory and slightly sweet.

Oils: Aside from cooking oil for shallow-frying the chicken, we'll also need sesame oil. It adds a distinct nutty flavor and delicious aroma to the dish. 

Seasonings & aromatics: We'll be using salt, pepper, sugar, garlic, and ginger spread throughout the recipe. The seasoning will help us create this dish's delicious depth of flavor. 

Showing General Tso's Chicken served on white rice.

💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN?

General Tso's chicken is one of the most variated recipes in Chinese-American cuisine. There are many alternative recipes with their blend of sauces, seasonings, and even cooking methods. The one we'll be making today is my favorite, though!
All of General Tso's chicken recipes are made by seasoning and battering bite-sized chicken pieces that are deep or shallow-fried. The fried chicken is then tossed in a sauce blend of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and other spices.
The result is a sticky, spicy, delicious fried chicken that you can serve by itself or over rice or noodles.

WHAT MAKES THIS GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN RECIPE SPECIAL?

Flavor profile: This recipe uses a special blend of ingredients to give it a unique depth of flavor. The spicy-sweet sauce we'll make perfectly coats the crispy chicken pieces for a delicious taste.
Cooking technique: Unlike most of General Tso's chicken recipes that require deep-frying, we'll be shallow-frying ours. This gives the chicken a crunchy texture on the outside. 
Unique recipe: This recipe stays true to the classic taste of General Tso's chicken with some modern twists. It's a balance between tradition and innovation that makes it unique compared to the other recipes.

WHAT DOES GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN TASTE LIKE?

General Tso's chicken has a very unique and deep flavor profile. The first taste you'll notice is delicious fried chicken covered in a sauce that is sweet, spicy, salty, and tangy all at the same time. The tastes meld together in a unique combination you won't find in any other dish!
As the initial taste fades away, you'll notice notes of sesame and ginger that add to the depth of flavor in the sauce. You're left with a spicy and semi-sweet taste that will leave you wanting another bite!

WHO INVENTED GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN?

The most common story about this recipe's origins is that it was named after a Chinese Qing dynasty statesman and military leader named Zuo Zongtang (romanized as Tso Tsung-t'ang) to commemorate his military victories. However, this isn't the case! This dish has no recorded connection to Zuo or Hunan, his home province. 
There are several different theories about the origins of General Tso's chicken. One is that the original name for the recipe is not a reference to Zuo Zongtang but to a different Chinese word that means 'ancestral meeting hall.'
Another is that a Taiwanese chef immigrated to New York and opened a restaurant where he made General Tso's chicken, the house specialty. 
Many are debating the origins of this topic, with multiple Chinese-American restaurants claiming they were the first to serve it. We may never know the origins, but that doesn't make it any less delicious!

🔪 HOW TO MAKE GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Making General Tso's chicken is easier than you think and will give you the tastiest version you've ever tried!

The full instructions are in the recipe card below, but let's look at the main steps to making this treat.

Step 1: 

In a small bowl, add all the sauce ingredients. Mix everything well and set it aside for later.

Mixing sauce ingredients.

Step 2: 

In a different bowl, add the chicken and all the ingredients to season the chicken, except the flour and cornstarch. Mix it well. 

Mixing the chicken seasoning.

Step 3: 

Add the flour and cornstarch to the chicken bowl, cover it, then toss the chicken to coat it. Remove the chicken and keep it aside, then discard the remaining flour and cornstarch. 

Chicken coated with flour.

Step 4: 

In a frying pan, pour enough oil to shallow-fry the chicken. When the chicken is golden, remove it from the oil. You can fry the chicken again for another minute to make it crunchier. 

Frying the chicken in oil.

Step 5: 

Add the sauce to a clean deep pan and cook it until it's a little thick. Add the chicken and stir for 1 minute. Serve immediately with white rice or noodles. 

Chicken in the prepared sauce.

Your delicious General Tso's Chicken is ready!

💭 COOKING TIPS FOR GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Chicken thigh or breast: You can choose chicken thighs or breasts for this recipe. I've used chicken breast to make it, but either will work.

Dilute regular soy sauce: I've used low-sodium soy sauce, but if you're using regular soy sauce, dilute it with one and a half tablespoon of water.

Don't overcook the chicken: When frying the chicken, make sure not to overcook it, or else it will turn out dry and chewy. Fry until the chicken turns golden brown and remove from heat immediately.

Use fresh ingredients: Make sure to use fresh ingredients whenever possible. It makes for a much more flavorful and delicious dish. 

Don't overcrowd the pan: When frying, do not crowd the pan with the chicken. This way, all sides of your chicken will cook properly. It's best to fry in batches if necessary.

Close up image of General Tso's Chicken.

📖 DELICIOUS VARIATIONS OF GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

General Tso's Chicken is a classic Chinese-American dish that you can adapt in many delicious ways. Here are some ideas:

  • Add vegetables: For a healthier dish, add mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or broccoli for more flavor and texture.
  • Switch up the meat: If you want to twist your General Tso, try using shrimp or beef instead of chicken.
  • Add more heat: For more heat to the dish, add some red pepper flakes or Sriracha sauce for a spicy kick.

🍲 MORE CHICKEN RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE

  • Chicken scampi feature image 2023.
    Chicken Scampi
  • Baked chicken tenders feature image. 2022
    Chicken Tenders
  • Small image of orange chicken 2022.
    Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
  • Small image of chicken teriyaki skewers.
    Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe

🌡️ HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

If you have leftover General Tso's Chicken, store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, either bake it in the oven at 375F for 15 minutes or microwave it on high for 1 minute.

If you want to freeze your General Tso's Chicken, cool it completely before storing it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw and reheat according to the instructions above.

📖 Recipe

General Tso's Chicken Feature image.

The Easiest General Tso's Chicken (Classic Flavor at Home!)

This super easy General Tso's Chicken recipe tastes so close to the restaurant-version that you'll wonder why you ever ordered take-out in the first place!
No ratings yet
Print Rate
Course: Main Meal
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: General Tso's Chicken
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 3 People
Calories: 346kcal
Author: Muna Kenny

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN SEASONING

  • 300 grams chicken cubes
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • Salt to taste I have used a little less than ½ teaspoon
  • 1 large egg white
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup corn starch
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • Oil to fry the chicken It should be deep enough to cover half the chicken peices.

FOR THE SAUCE

  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon minced ginger
  • 3 dry red chilis whole or cut in quarter
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 ½ tablespoon white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ tablespoon oyster sauce
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, add all the sauce ingredients, mix well and keep aside.
  • In a different bowl, add the chicken and the ingredients to season the chicken, except the flour and corn starch. Mix well.
  • Now, add the flour and corn starch, cover the bowl and toss the chicken to coat it. Remove the chicken and keep it aside. Discard the remaining the flour and corn starch.
  • In a frying pan, pour enough oil to shallow fry the chicken. When the chicken is golden remove from the oil. You can fry the chicken again for a minute to make it crunchier.
  • In a clean deep pan, add the sauce and cook until a little thick. Add the chicken and stir for a minute.
  • Serve immediately with rice or noodles.

Video

Notes

  1. Some recipes call for making a batter to marinate the chicken, but if you have leftovers, the chicken will be chewy when you reheat it. Hence I use this method instead.
  2. You can go for chicken thigh or breast. I have used breasts.
  3. I have used low-sodium soy sauce if you have regular soy sauce dilute it with one and a half tablespoon of water.
  4. Instead of a quarter cup of water, you can go for chicken stock but ensure it’s low in sodium. I have used white pepper, but black pepper will also work.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 24756mg | Potassium: 375mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 196mg | Iron: 1mg
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?Follow me on Instagram @munatycooking or tag #munatycooking!

Share this post:

Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
« Easy Mini Blueberry Coffee Cake Loaves Recipe

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE!

Hello there, and welcome! I’m Muna, the writer, food photographer, and videographer at Munaty Cooking. I’m also the mother of a handsome young man. I’m from and reside in Sharjah. Oh, and there are more fun facts about me!

Footer

AS FEATURED ON

Footer

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Recipes

  • Dinner Recipes
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. You can learn more about our affiliate policy. Please read my disclosure policy.

Copyright © 2021 Munaty Cooking