Make restaurant-quality General Tso’s Chicken at home with this easy recipe. Crispy fried chicken is coated in a sweet and tangy sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special takeout-inspired meal. Pair it with steamed broccoli or rice for a complete dish. Learn how to make this classic Chinese-American favorite with simple ingredients and customizable spice levels.
How to Make General Tso’s Chicken
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. Coat them in a breading mix of flour (or cornstarch), paprika, and garlic salt.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and fry the breaded chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, vinegar, soy sauce, and optional red chili flakes. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 12 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- Combine: Add the fried chicken to the sauce, coating each piece well. Simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the sauce’s flavors.
- Serve: Serve your General Tso’s Chicken with rice and steamed broccoli for a complete meal.
Q&A for General Tso’s Chicken
Q: Can I make General Tso’s Chicken spicy?
A: Yes! Add 1 teaspoon of red chili pepper flakes or fresh ginger to increase the spice level. You can also adjust it based on your taste preference.
Q: Can I bake General Tso’s Chicken instead of frying?
A: Absolutely. After breading and briefly frying the chicken, transfer it to a baking dish, pour the sauce over, and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
Q: How do I make the chicken extra tender?
A: For tender chicken, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of vinegar to the cubed chicken. Let it sit for 10 minutes before breading and frying.
Q: Can this recipe be made in a crockpot?
A: Yes! After frying the chicken, transfer it to a crockpot, pour the sauce over, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
General Tso’s Chicken
This classic Chinese-American dish features crispy fried chicken coated in a deliciously sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, it’s a simple yet flavorful meal you can easily make at home. Pair with rice and broccoli for a complete restaurant-style dish.
General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Course: MainCuisine: Chinese, American8
servings10
minutes15
minutesMake restaurant-quality General Tso’s Chicken at home with this easy recipe. Crispy fried chicken is coated in a sweet and tangy sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special takeout-inspired meal. Pair it with steamed broccoli or rice for a complete dish. Learn how to make this classic Chinese-American favorite with simple ingredients and customizable spice levels.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
For the Breading:
Chicken breasts, cubed (4 pieces)
All-purpose flour (or cornstarch) (1 cup)
Paprika (1 teaspoon)
Garlic salt (2 teaspoons)
For the Sauce:
Sugar (1¼ cups)
Water (1 cup)
White distilled vinegar (1 cup)
Salt (1 teaspoon)
Soy sauce (6 tablespoons)
Red chili pepper flakes (1 teaspoon, optional)
Directions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Cube the chicken breasts and coat each piece evenly in the breading mixture of flour (or cornstarch), paprika, and garlic salt.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat ¾ cup of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, remove and set aside on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a separate pot, combine sugar, water, vinegar, salt, soy sauce, and red chili pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 12 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Serve:
- Add the fried chicken to the simmering sauce and stir until all pieces are evenly coated. Simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes to allow the sauce to fully absorb into the chicken.
Notes
- Meat Tenderizer Tip: To tenderize the chicken, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of vinegar, and let the chicken sit for 10 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.
Crockpot Instructions: After frying, transfer the chicken to a crockpot. Pour the sauce over and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
Oven-Baked Instructions: Place the fried chicken in a baking dish, pour the sauce over, and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
Steamed Broccoli Tip: While simmering the sauce, place a colander of broccoli florets on top of the pot. In just 7 minutes, you’ll have perfectly steamed broccoli to serve on the side.
Spice It Up: For a spicier version, add 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes. You can also enhance the flavors with fresh ginger or garlic.
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