If you have ever craved that perfect balance of crispy, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors in your takeout, then you are going to love this Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe. It wonderfully captures the essence of the classic dish with a straightforward approach that anyone can master at home. The tender chicken bites are coated in a golden crisp, then smothered in a luscious sauce that’s sweet, savory, and just a touch spicy. This dish is an absolute showstopper for family dinners or casual gatherings, promising that restaurant-quality taste without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is a breeze thanks to the simple yet essential ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the vibrant flavor profile and texture that make this dish so irresistible, from the crispy chicken to the rich, tangy sauce.
- 6 tablespoons cornstarch, divided: Provides the perfect crispy coating for the chicken and thickens the sauce beautifully.
- ½ cup water: Balances the sauce consistency for that glossy finish.
- 4 tablespoons sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that complements the savory elements.
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce: Delivers the essential umami depth and saltiness.
- 4 tablespoons rice vinegar: Brings a bright tang that cuts through the richness.
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce: Introduces a rich, slightly sweet complexity to the sauce.
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces: The star protein, tender and easy to cook evenly.
- 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying: Ensures a crisp, golden exterior on the chicken.
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger: Provides a warm, zesty note that livens up the sauce.
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes: Adds a gently spicy kick to balance the sweeter flavors.
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic: Infuses the dish with bold, aromatic punch.
- Sliced green onions, for garnish (optional): Brings fresh color and a mild oniony bite.
- Cooked rice, for serving: The perfect base to soak up all the delicious sauce.
How to Make Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Start by whisking together 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch with water, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and hoisin sauce in a bowl until perfectly smooth. This quick sauce base will become thick and glossy later, enveloping each crispy chicken piece with incredible flavor.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Next, toss your chicken pieces in the remaining 4 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch. This step is essential as it builds that signature crispy crust that makes General Tso’s chicken so addictive.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Heat your vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry the chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to crowd the pan, until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and become delightfully crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to keep them crisp and ready for the sauce.
Step 4: Build the Flavor
Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of oil from the skillet, then add minced ginger, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Sauté these together until fragrant, which only takes a minute or two and fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aroma.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Return the fried chicken back to the skillet, giving it a quick toss to coat in the infused oil. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and stir continuously as it heats through and thickens, glazing the chicken evenly with that luscious sauce that’s both tangy and sweet with a hint of spice.
Step 6: Serve Hot
Your Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe is now ready to be enjoyed with its crispy, saucy perfection. Don’t forget to garnish with sliced green onions if you like a touch of fresh crunch and color.
How to Serve Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Adding sliced green onions on top instantly elevates the dish visually and offers a fresh, mild onion flavor that balances the rich sauce. For extra zest, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds or a few cilantro leaves for a pop of color and fragrant note.
Side Dishes
Serving your Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe over warm, fluffy steamed rice is the classic choice because it soaks up the sauce flawlessly. Pair it with simple stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy to add color, texture, and an extra nutritional punch to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd-pleasing presentation, serve your General Tso’s chicken on a platter with a bed of jasmine rice, surrounded by steamed vegetables and garnished with colorful sliced red chilies and fresh herbs. You could also stuff it into lettuce wraps for a fun, finger-food twist at a casual get-together.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep the chicken crispy for as long as possible, store it separately from the sauce and combine just before reheating.
Freezing
Frozen storage works well for this Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe. Freeze the cooked chicken and sauce mixture together in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until heated through. This method helps retain the crispiness and prevents the chicken from becoming soggy. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work beautifully in this Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe because they stay juicy and tender. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
How spicy is this recipe?
The recipe offers a mild to moderate heat level thanks to red pepper flakes. You can adjust the amount to your taste or omit it if you prefer no spice at all.
Is there a gluten-free way to make this dish?
Yes! Substitute the soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce variant and use cornstarch as is. This keeps the dish gluten-free without compromising flavor.
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
While frying creates that signature crispiness, you can bake the coated chicken pieces on a wire rack at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through. They won’t be quite as crispy but still delicious.
What’s the best rice to pair with General Tso’s chicken?
Classic steamed jasmine or long-grain white rice is ideal because it soaks up the sauce nicely and has a light texture that complements the rich chicken.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a homemade Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe that satisfies your craving for takeout without ever leaving the house. It’s approachable, bursting with flavor, and guaranteed to become a favorite in your kitchen rotation. Once you try this recipe, I’m confident it will be requested again and again — so grab your ingredients, get cooking, and enjoy every delicious bite!
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Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Description
This Easy General Tso’s Chicken recipe delivers crispy, tender chicken tossed in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines classic Chinese-American flavors with an easy frying method and a homemade sauce that comes together in just over half an hour.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup water
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
Chicken and Frying
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 6 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
- 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
Flavorings and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch, water, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and hoisin sauce until smooth. Set this sauce mixture aside for later use.
- Coat Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with the remaining 4 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch until they are evenly coated. This coating will help the chicken become crispy when fried.
- Fry Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking them until they turn golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, remove them and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Make Sauce Base: Carefully pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of oil from the skillet. Add the minced ginger, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Combine and Finish: Return the fried chicken pieces to the skillet and toss to coat them evenly with the ginger-garlic mixture. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken thoroughly, heating it through.
- Serve: Transfer the sauced chicken to plates or a serving dish. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired, and serve hot over cooked rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- To ensure the chicken stays crispy, fry in small batches without overcrowding the pan.
- The sauce can be adjusted for sweetness or spiciness by varying the sugar or red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor impact.
- Serve immediately for optimal texture and taste, as the chicken may soften if left in the sauce too long.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in a skillet or microwave.
