Quick & Zesty General Tsos Chicken Recipe for Dinner Magic

Crispy, golden general tsos chicken dances between sweet and spicy flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

Authentic chinese cuisine meets modern kitchen magic in this beloved takeout favorite.

Succulent chicken pieces glisten with a perfectly balanced sauce that hints at complex culinary traditions.

Tender meat coated in a light, crackling batter creates an irresistible textural experience.

Vibrant colors and bold seasonings promise a delightful meal that comes together faster than ordering delivery.

Chefs and home cooks alike celebrate this classic dish that brings restaurant-quality excitement to your dinner table.

You won’t believe how simple it is to recreate this restaurant staple with just a few key ingredients.

General Tsos Chicken That’s Healthy and Delicious

• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels and ingredients to match your family's taste preferences, making this dish a flexible crowd-pleaser.
• Quick Cooking Adventure: Prepare a restaurant-style meal in your kitchen with simple steps that transform basic ingredients into a delicious dinner.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Enjoy a balanced combination of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes that appeal to both kids and adults, creating a harmonious meal everyone will love.
• Beginner-Friendly Technique: Learn basic cooking skills like coating chicken and creating a homemade sauce, perfect for building confidence in the kitchen without overwhelming complexity.

Ingredients for Flavorful General Tsos Chicken

• Chicken: A lean protein that forms the main component of this delicious dish.

• Eggs: Helps create a crispy and adhesive layer for the chicken.
• Flour, Salt, Pepper: Provides a seasoned and crisp exterior for the chicken pieces.

• Soy Sauce: Adds a rich, savory umami flavor to the dish.
• Brown Sugar: Brings a subtle sweetness to balance the savory elements.
• Garlic, Ginger: Provide aromatic and traditional Asian-inspired flavor profiles.
• Chili Paste: Introduces a spicy kick to the overall taste.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the chicken to achieve a golden brown and crispy texture.

• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil from the fried chicken.

How to Prepare General Tsos Chicken with Care

Step 1: Prep the Protein

Slice the chicken into small, uniform chunks that will cook evenly and be easy to eat.

Step 2: Create Coating Station

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Arrange these ingredients in separate shallow dishes for smooth coating process.

Step 3: Dredge Chicken Pieces

Dunk each chicken chunk first into whisked eggs, then roll thoroughly in seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet until it starts to shimmer and dance.

Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking in batches to maintain oil temperature. Fry until pieces turn a beautiful golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes per batch.

Transfer cooked chicken to paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 5: Craft Tangy Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Fresh grated ginger
• Chili paste

Stir continuously until sauce thickens and develops a glossy appearance.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Gently toss crispy chicken pieces in the prepared sauce, ensuring each piece gets a delicious, even coating. Serve immediately over steamed rice or your preferred side dish.

Tips for Healthy and Tasty General Tsos Chicken

• Swap regular flour with whole wheat or gluten-free flour for a healthier, allergen-friendly version of the dish.
• Bake chicken pieces instead of deep-frying to reduce oil content and create a lighter meal option.
• Control spice levels by adjusting chili paste quantity, making it kid-friendly or extra hot for spice lovers.
• Boost nutrition by adding colorful vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas during sauce coating.
• Prep chicken pieces in advance and store in refrigerator for quick weeknight meal assembly.

Fun Variations on General Tsos Chicken to Try

• Gluten-Free Warrior: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining crispy exterior.
• Baked Fitness Champion: Skip frying and bake chicken pieces on a wire rack at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, using cooking spray for golden color.
• Low-Carb Hero: Substitute brown sugar with monk sweetener and use cauliflower instead of chicken for a vegetable-based alternative that keeps classic sauce flavors.
• Air Fryer Express: Cook breaded chicken pieces in air fryer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, achieving same crispy texture with minimal oil usage.

Pairings That Match General Tsos Chicken Perfectly

• Pair this chicken with jasmine rice to absorb the delicious sauce and provide a soft, neutral base.
• Serve alongside crisp steamed broccoli or bok choy to balance the rich, spicy chicken and add fresh vegetable texture.
• Select a slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer to cool down the chili heat and match the dish's sweet-spicy profile.
• Enjoy an ice-cold Asian beer like Tsingtao or Asahi to cut through the richness and cleanse the palate between bites.

How to Keep General Tsos Chicken Fresh and Flavorful

• Store leftover General Tso's chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Carefully place chicken pieces in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chicken stays good for up to 3 months.
• Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Stop when internal temperature reaches 165°F.

FAQs

• Is General Tsos Chicken an authentic Chinese dish?

While popular in American Chinese restaurants, this dish was actually created in New York City by Chinese immigrants in the 1970s and is not a traditional Chinese recipe.

• What makes the coating crispy?

The egg wash and seasoned flour create a protective layer that ensures a crispy, golden-brown exterior when the chicken is deep-fried.

• Can I use a different type of chili paste?

Sriracha or sambal oelek are good substitutes for traditional chili paste, allowing you to adjust the heat level to your preference.

• How do I prevent the chicken from becoming soggy?

Drain the fried chicken on paper towels and add the sauce just before serving to maintain the crispy texture of the chicken.

General Tsos Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

General Tso’s chicken delivers a bold fusion of crispy, golden-brown poultry with sweet and spicy Chinese-American sauce. Savory flavors dance across palates, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can effortlessly create at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• chili paste (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Prepare chicken by cutting into uniform, bite-sized morsels to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
2. Create two separate preparation stations: whisk eggs in one vessel and combine seasoned flour with salt and pepper in another.
3. Dredge each chicken piece first through beaten eggs, then thoroughly coat with seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to medium-high temperature, around 375°F, creating a hot environment for crispy frying.
5. Carefully lower battered chicken pieces into hot oil, frying in small batches for 4-5 minutes until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior.
6. Transfer fried chicken pieces onto paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
7. In a separate saucepan, construct a glossy sauce by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili paste over medium heat.
8. Simmer sauce ingredients for 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously until mixture thickens and develops a rich, glossy consistency.
9. Gently toss crispy chicken pieces in the prepared sauce, ensuring each morsel is evenly and generously coated for maximum flavor absorption.

Notes

• Create a crispy coating by ensuring the flour mixture is well-seasoned and chicken pieces are completely dry before dredging to prevent soggy results.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F for even cooking and achieving that perfect golden-brown exterior without burning.
• Reduce sugar content for a healthier version by using low-sodium soy sauce and replacing brown sugar with honey or a sugar substitute like stevia.
• Make it gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or almond flour, which provides an equally crispy texture for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg