Juice. Saucy. And loaded with flavors. This restaurant-style General Tso’s Chicken is my go-to chicken recipe that’s simple enough for a hectic weeknight.

General Tso’s Chicken is one of my favorite takeout dishes after orange chicken or kung pao chicken. They share a similar spicy element; however, the sauce and cooking method makes each dish unique. General Tso’s Chicken is deep-fried and coated with a syrupy sweet and sour sauce. This recipe is a restaurant-style version you can make any time and tastes better than your regular takeout.
The ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast – chicken thighs or chicken tenders also work in this recipe
- Garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, sugar – key ingredients in Chinese cooking
- Rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce – make sure you use unseasoned, and this is the hoisin sauce I use
- Green onions for garnish
How to make quick & easy General Tso’s chicken
- Cut chicken thighs into small pieces for one bite.
- Put all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and mix until smooth with a fork.
- Dip the chicken pieces in starch.
- Heat a frying pan with vegetable oil, put the prepared chicken in a single layer. Fry until golden brown over high heat.
- Transfer the chicken to an auxiliary plate: place pepper flakes, pressed garlic, and grated ginger in the pan. Cook for half a minute.
- Pour in the sauce and bring it to a boil. The mixture will noticeably thicken. Add the chicken and stir vigorously so that each piece is soaked in the sauce. Heat the dish for a minute and serve immediately with the onion and sesame seeds.
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Recipe variations
If you’re looking for recipe variations other than chicken, try the ingredients below for a change.
- General Tso’s tofu is one of those comfort food dishes you make when a serious takeout craving hits, but you still want to cook at home to save a few calories and dollars.
- General Tso’s shrimp. Swap the chicken for peeled, deveined shrimp.
Storing and reheating
This recipe will make enough for about two servings and can be doubled or tripled. Once cooked, let the chicken cool completely and transfer to a glass container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
More Asian-inspired dishes:
- Chinese eggplants with ground beef – a simple but delicious recipe you can make in 15 minutes!
- Hong Kong-style crispy noodles – It is a simple but impressive meal, loaded with your favorite protein and vegetables with a thick, delicious sauce
- Shrimp egg foo young – This delectable and easy shrimp egg foo young (Chinese omelet) is a basic, quick, and comprehensive dish you can make at any time. It is the absolute BEST keto and low-carb recipe
- Scallop fried rice – Homemade fried rice is simple to make and healthier than takeout. This Scallop Fried Rice with XO sauce is always easy, authentic, and a crowd-pleaser.
Restaurant-style General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients
- 1- pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
For sauce
- 1 tablespoon. sesame paste or sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- Green onions for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into small pieces for one bite.
- Put all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and mix until smooth with a fork.
- Dip the chicken pieces in starch.
- Heat a frying pan with vegetable oil, put the prepared chicken in a single layer. Fry until golden brown over high heat.
- Transfer the chicken to an auxiliary plate: place pepper flakes, pressed garlic, and grated ginger in the pan. Cook for half a minute.
- Pour in the sauce and bring it to a boil. The mixture will noticeably thicken. Add the chicken and stir vigorously so that each piece is soaked in the sauce. Heat the dish for a minute and serve immediately with the onion and sesame seeds.
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