General Tso Chicken Recipe – Crispy, Sweet & Spicy

General Tso Chicken

“Crispy, sweet, spicy & utterly addictive – better than takeout!”

20 min Prep
15 min Cook
35 min Total
4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • Oil for deep frying
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp chili paste (sambal)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
  • 8 dried red chilies
  • Sesame seeds for garnish
  • Green onions, sliced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken breast into 1.5-inch cubes. Pat dry with paper towels. Season with salt and white pepper.
  2. Make the coating: Mix cornstarch and flour in a bowl. Dip each chicken piece in beaten egg, then coat thoroughly in the cornstarch mixture.
  3. Fry the chicken: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  4. Make the sauce: In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, hoisin, chili paste, garlic, ginger, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Thicken the sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  6. Combine and serve: Add the fried chicken to the sauce along with dried chilies. Toss until evenly coated. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately over steamed rice.

Pro Tips for Perfect General Tso

  • Pat chicken completely dry – moisture is the enemy of crispy coating
  • Don’t overcrowd the fryer – cook in batches for maximum crispiness
  • Double-fry for extra crunch: fry once at 350°F, then again at 375°F
  • Make the sauce while chicken fries so everything is ready together
  • Add a splash of sesame oil to the sauce for authentic flavor

Delicious Variations

  • Lighter Version: Bake or air fry the chicken at 400°F for 20 minutes
  • Spicier: Add more chili paste or fresh sliced jalapeños
  • Healthier: Use less sugar and add more ginger and garlic
  • Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and cornstarch coating
  • Tso Style Shrimp: Substitute large shrimp for chicken

Perfect Pairings

Classic Sides: Steamed white rice, fried rice, vegetable lo mein, egg rolls.

Fresh Sides: Cucumber salad, pickled vegetables, hot and sour soup.

Storage: Best served immediately. If needed, store sauce and chicken separately – reheating in a pan helps restore some crispness.

Bringing restaurant favorites home