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Sweet and spicy General Tso’s chicken is packed with veggies for a classic Asian dish that everyone will love!
With all the Asian recipes we have on the site, it’s only right we include this classic General Tso’s chicken! It’s a little sweet like our Orange Chicken and Honey Chicken recipes.
We Love Asian Food!
One of our favorite Asian dishes is General Tso’s chicken. It is seriously addicting and this recipe is as good as any Chinese takeout!!
This sweet, deep-fried chicken recipe is served mostly in North American Chinese restaurants and is named after Zuo Zongtang or Tso Tsung-t’ang, a military leader during the Qing dynasty.
Why we love it:
- Quick and easy. This General Tso chicken recipe is quick and simple.
- Flavor. It has a bit of a sweet taste and after adding broccoli it makes it so hearty and tasty.
- Family friendly. With delicious flavor, this is a family-favorite recipe!
This is definitely an Asian dinner recipe that gets rave reviews!
Ingredients
- sugar
- sweet chili sauce
- rice vinegar aka rice wine vinegar
- all-purpose flour – white or wheat flour
- cornstarch
- soy sauce
- large egg white – check out this post on How to Separate Egg Whites
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs – or chicken breasts. To cut boneless skinless chicken into even pieces, partially freeze them first. Use a sharp knife to cut the half-frozen meat into even cubes. Allow it to thaw before making the recipe.
- vegetable oil – or another high smoking point oil such as canola oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, or olive oil suitable for higher temperatures.
- broccoli florets
- cooked white rice – or cooked noodles
How to Make General Tso Chicken
- SAUCE. Mix sugar, chili sauce, and vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside.
- CHICKEN. In another bowl, mix flour and cornstarch. In a third bowl, use a whisk to beat the soy sauce and egg white. Add chicken pieces to the egg white mixture and toss to coat, then transfer coated chicken to the flour bowl and toss around.
- Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add floured chicken and fry, stirring occasionally, for 7–8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
- BROCCOLI. Add broccoli to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until broccoli is softened, then add General Tso sauce to the skillet and cook for 2–3 more minutes, making sure to coat the broccoli and chicken.
- SERVE over rice or noodles or with Homemade Fried Rice, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Egg Drop Soup, or Fried Egg Rolls. Top with sesame seeds and or chopped scallions.
Variations
Most people find this dish to be mildly spicy with a sweet and tangy taste. If you find it too spicy, eat it with white rice to help dampen the spice.
- Sweeter. Add ½ to 1 tablespoon of brown sugar or honey.
- Spicier. Add 5-6 whole dried chilies, 1 teaspoon ginger, minced garlic, or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- Flavor. Add 2 teaspoons of hoisin sauce for an extra layer of flavoring. Top with sesame seeds or green onions.
Storing Tips
- STORE. Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- FREEZE. For longer storage, keep this recipe for General Tso’s chicken in an airtight freezer-safe container for 3-4 months.
- Thaw in the fridge and reheat in a sauté pan. If you’re in a hurry it can be microwaved.
For More Asian Dishes:
General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Sweet and spicy General Tso's chicken is packed with veggies for a classic Asian dish that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 egg white
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 bunch broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups)
- 2 cups cooked white rice or cooked noodles
Instructions
- Make General Tso’s sauce by mixing sugar, chili sauce, and vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside.
- In another bowl, mix flour and cornstarch. In a third bowl, beat soy sauce and egg white. Add chicken to the egg white mixture and toss to coat, then transfer coated chicken to the flour bowl and toss around.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add floured chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7–8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked and crispy.
- Add broccoli to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until broccoli is softened, then add General Tso’s sauce to the skillet and cook for 2–3 more minutes, making sure to coat the broccoli and chicken.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
Video
Notes
FREEZE. For longer storage, store in an airtight freezer-safe container for 3–4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in a skillet. If you are in a hurry, you can also microwave the chicken.
Variations. For a sweeter sauce, add ½–1 tablespoon sugar or honey. For a spicier dish, add 5–6 whole dried chilies, or you can use red chili flakes. Add 2 teaspoons of hoisin sauce for an extra layer of flavoring. Top with sesame seeds.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 296kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 81mg, Sodium: 427mg, Potassium: 274mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 37IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My son will like this. Looks great. Thank you
Can this be made in an air fryer?
I personally haven’t tried, but I am sure they could 🙂
Love your recipes. A great way to share them.
Awe, thank you so much!
This recipe is a favorite at my house because it is so easy, so yUmmy, and Everyone loves it. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
You are so welcome! Glad your family likes it! Thank you!
Im an orange or honey chicken fan and Dont really deviate however im so glad i tried this recipe. It was sO good!
My grandaughters favorite Chinese meal! We all love chinese food and when we make this dish i have to triple or quadruple the recipe. So good and very authentic!
My daughter would have this meal every day if she could! it is really good! we love the taste and how easy it is to make! Yummy
any version of a healthier way to do general tsaos is one im excited for! cant wait to give this a try