Description
Enjoy a homemade twist on a Chinese takeout classic with this easy General Tso’s Chicken recipe. Crispy, bite-sized chicken pieces are lightly battered and fried to perfection, then tossed in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce featuring garlic, ginger, soy, and rice vinegar. Finished with a sprinkle of scallions and toasted sesame seeds, this dish delivers all the bold flavors you love in a simplified, ultimate Chinese recipe.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 500 g Chicken thighs or breasts (Cut into bite-sized pieces; season with salt and pepper)
- 1 cup Cornstarch (For coating the chicken)
- Vegetable oil (For deep-frying or shallow frying enough to cover the chicken)
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup Chicken broth (Low-sodium preferred)
- 3 tbsp Low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp Hoisin sauce (Adds depth and sweetness)
- 1/3 cup Granulated sugar (Adjust based on desired sweetness)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp Fresh ginger (grated)
- 1 Chili paste (e.g., Sriracha Adjust for desired heat)
- 1 tsp Sesame oil (For finishing the sauce)
- 1 tsp Cornstarch (Dissolved in 1 tbsp water optional, for extra thickening)
For Garnish:
- A few Green onions (thinly sliced)
- A pinch Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Prepare and Dredge the Chicken:
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken in a mixing bowl and add the cornstarch, tossing until each piece is evenly coated.
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large skillet/wok to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the chicken in batches for 5–7 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Remove the chicken with tongs and drain on paper towels.
Make the Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and granulated sugar.
- Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili paste. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- (Optional) Add the dissolved cornstarch to thicken the sauce, stirring for 1–2 minutes until it slightly coats the back of a spoon.
- Finish by stirring in the sesame oil.
Toss and Serve:
- In a large bowl, add the fried chicken and pour the warm sauce over it.
- Toss gently until every piece is well coated.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying. To bake, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway through.
- Adjust the sweetness and spiciness of the sauce to your preference by modifying the sugar and chili paste quantities.
- Ensure the sauce is hot when tossing with the chicken so it clings nicely to each piece.
Enjoy your Easy General Tso’s Chicken—a restaurant-quality Chinese classic made simple and bursting with sweet, savory, and spicy flavors!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Calories: 420
