The Ultimate General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

General tso’s chicken represents a delightful fusion of crispy, sweet, and tangy flavors that dance across your palate.

Savory pieces of chicken revamp into a culinary masterpiece through careful preparation and bold seasoning techniques.

This iconic dish balances crunch and sauciness with remarkable precision.

Sweet and spicy notes intertwine, creating a complex flavor profile that captivates taste buds.

Home cooks can easily recreate restaurant-style magic with simple ingredients and strategic cooking methods.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of textures that elevate everyday meals into extraordinary experiences.

The result is a crowd-pleasing sensation that guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

Why General Tso’s Chicken Always Satisfies

• Craft Effortless Flavor Explosion: This recipe transforms simple chicken into a mouthwatering dish with minimal kitchen skills required, blending sweet, tangy, and spicy notes that dance perfectly together.
• Slow Cooker Magic: Enjoy hands-off cooking that develops deep, rich flavors while you relax, turning ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality meal with just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time.
• Nutrition-Packed Comfort Meal: Pack a protein punch with 24g per serving, balanced with complex flavors and a lean nutrition profile that satisfies hunger without guilt, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution for busy families.

What You’ll Need for General Tso’s Sauce and Chicken

• Chicken: Tender, boneless meat perfect for absorbing rich flavors and creating a hearty main dish. Chicken thighs work best for juicier results.

• Cornstarch: Essential for creating a crispy exterior and helping sauce cling to chicken. Look for a fine, white powder with no clumps.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the chickens natural taste and provide a basic flavor foundation.

• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the slow cooker sauce. Low-sodium versions give better control over saltiness.
• Soy Sauce: Brings umami and saltiness to the dish. Choose traditional or low-sodium based on preference.
• Rice Vinegar: Provides a tangy, bright note to balance the rich sauce. Adds a subtle acidity.
• Hoisin Sauce: Sweet and savory condiment that gives the sauce its signature General Tsos flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: Contributes sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for searing chicken to develop a golden, flavorful exterior.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that add complex, warm flavors to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a spicy kick to the dish. Adjust amount for desired heat level.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh topping that adds color, texture, and nutty flavor to the finished dish.

How to Cook General Tso’s Like Takeout Pros

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Pepper

Ensure each chicken piece is evenly and generously covered with the seasoned mixture.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Carefully sear chicken in batches for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally until pieces develop a light golden exterior. Transfer each batch of cooked chicken to the slow cooker.

Step 3: Craft Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Hoisin sauce
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Fresh ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Blend until the sauce is smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Slow Cook for Maximum Flavor

• Low setting: 4 hours
• High setting: 2 hours

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds

Serve alongside steamed rice or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal that’ll impress everyone at the table.

Tips That Bring Out That Sweet Heat Flavor

• Lock in Crispiness: Coat chicken in cornstarch before searing to create a golden, crunchy exterior that holds up beautifully during slow cooking.
• Master the Sear: Brown chicken in batches to prevent overcrowding, ensuring each piece develops a perfect caramelized color and sealed-in flavor.
• Balance Sauce Flavors: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to blend sweet, tangy, and spicy notes, creating a harmonious General Tso's taste profile.
• Prevent Overcooking: Watch cooking time closely; slow cookers vary, so check chicken at the minimum recommended time to maintain tender, juicy meat.
• Enhance Presentation: Sprinkle fresh green onions and sesame seeds just before serving to add a vibrant pop of color and extra layer of texture.

How to Store and Reheat While Keeping the Crunch

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Transfer remaining General Tso's chicken into an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Seal tightly to preserve moisture and prevent flavor loss. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing Option: Wrap chicken portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen General Tso's chicken maintains quality for 2-3 months.
• Reheating Method: Warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Microwave works as a quick alternative, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each cycle to ensure uniform temperature.

Sides That Make General Tso’s Even Better

• Pair with Zesty Rice Pilaf: Complement the sweet and spicy General Tsos chicken with a light, herbed rice pilaf that enhances the dish's complex flavors and provides a delightful textural contrast.
• Crisp White Wine Match: Select a slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer to balance the chicken's bold spiciness, cutting through the richness while harmonizing with its sweet-tangy sauce.
• Refreshing Cucumber Salad Side: Serve a cool, crunchy cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, intense chicken, creating a perfect flavor and temperature balance.
• Craft Beer Companion: Choose a hoppy, citrusy IPA or a light wheat beer that can stand up to the dish's robust flavors while offering a crisp, palate-cleansing effect between bites.

Twists to Try on General Tso’s Classic Recipe

• Spicy Citrus Spark: Infuse the sauce with orange zest and a splash of fresh orange juice, adding a bright, tangy kick to the classic General Tsos flavor profile.
• Honey Ginger Fusion: Replace brown sugar with honey and increase ginger quantity for a warmer, more robust sweet-spicy combination that enhances the chicken's richness.
• Crispy Air Fryer Edition: Skip the slow cooker and air fry the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces for a crunchier exterior, then toss in the traditional sauce for a lighter preparation method.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets, maintaining the same coating and sauce technique for a plant-based alternative that captures the original dish's essence.

General Tsos Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

General Tsos chicken brings fiery Chinese-American flavors to your dinner table with crispy chicken pieces glazed in a sweet and spicy sauce. Perfectly balanced between tangy and rich, this restaurant-style dish delivers restaurant-quality comfort you can easily create at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 120 milliliters (4 fluid ounces) low-sodium soy sauce
• 60 milliliters (2 fluid ounces) rice vinegar
• 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) hoisin sauce
• 120 milliliters (4 fluid ounces) chicken broth
• 30 grams (1 ounce) brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 5 grams (0.2 ounces) minced ginger
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

Coating and Garnish:

• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
• Sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
• Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly dust tender chicken morsels with a blend of cornstarch, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring each piece is uniformly coated.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface. Carefully sear chicken pieces in small batches, rotating occasionally to achieve a light golden-brown exterior, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
3. Transfer the golden-crusted chicken fragments into the slow cooker, preparing for the flavor infusion.
4. Craft a vibrant sauce by whisking together chicken broth, premium soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, rich hoisin sauce, dark brown sugar, finely minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes until the mixture achieves a harmonious consistency.
5. Tenderly pour the aromatic sauce over the chicken pieces, gently stirring to ensure each morsel is lavishly coated with the flavorful liquid.
6. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the chicken to simmer on low heat for 4 hours (or high heat for 2 hours), letting the flavors meld and intensify.
7. Once cooking is complete, give the dish a final gentle stir to redistribute the sauce, creating a glossy and appetizing presentation.
8. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and a delicate sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, serving alongside steamed jasmine rice or your preferred side vegetables.

Notes

• Transform ordinary chicken into a takeout-worthy masterpiece with minimal kitchen effort.
• Sear chicken pieces first to lock in those mouthwatering golden-brown flavors before slow cooking.
• Whisk together a symphony of sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce ingredients that will make your taste buds dance.
• Let the slow cooker work its magic, infusing each tender chicken piece with rich, complex sauce depths.
• Finish by coating chicken in glossy sauce and sprinkle with fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds for restaurant-quality presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 70mg