If you’re craving bold, sweet, and slightly spicy takeout flavors but want to skip the delivery fee, this Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe was made for you. Picture juicy pockets of golden fried chicken, lovingly tossed in a glossy, tangy sauce with just enough kick to keep you coming back for another bite. Whether you’re hosting friends for a game night or just treating yourself to a savory dinner, this homemade version of the iconic dish delivers all the comfort and satisfaction—no plastic containers required!

Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients list. Every item plays its part, whether it’s adding crunch, deep color, a punch of umami, or that signature sweet-heat balance.

Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless, and cut into bite-sized pieces for tender, juicy results every time.
Cornstarch: Helps create the perfect crispy coating when frying—and thickens the sauce for that luscious texture.
Eggs: The secret to getting the cornstarch to stick and forming the perfect crunchy crust.
Vegetable Oil: Neutral in flavor and perfect for deep or shallow frying your chicken to golden perfection.
Sesame Oil: Adds undeniable nuttiness and depth to the savory sauce.
Garlic: Minced fresh for that punchy, aromatic backbone in your sauce.
Fresh Ginger: Grated to infuse warmth and a little zing with every bite.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For those who love a little heat—customize to your liking.
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: The classic salty, umami backbone of the sauce, balanced to not overpower.
Hoisin Sauce: Brings sweet, tangy depth and a signature glossy finish to the dish.
Rice Vinegar: Adds tart brightness to cut through the richness.
Sugar: Balances the savory and tangy flavors, rounding out the sauce beautifully.
Chicken Broth: Incorporates a savory foundation and keeps the sauce silky.
Cornstarch Slurry: Ensures the sauce thickens to cling lovingly to every piece of chicken.
Sliced Green Onions & Sesame Seeds: Perfect finishing touches for fresh flavor and eye-catching appeal.

How to Make Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Coat the Chicken

Start by setting up a dredging station: toss your chicken pieces in cornstarch to create that first layer of crunch, then dip each piece in the beaten eggs. This two-step coating ensures your chicken will fry up with that signature crispy coating General Tso’s is famous for!

Step 2: Fry the Chicken

Heat about an inch of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the coated chicken for around 4–5 minutes per batch, turning as needed. When each piece is deeply golden and irresistibly crisp, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Frying in several batches ensures the pieces don’t crowd the pan and stay perfectly crunchy.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

In a clean skillet or saucepan, heat up the sesame oil over medium heat. Now add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if you’re going for a little heat). Give them a quick sauté—just 30 seconds—to unlock all those aromatic flavors that make the sauce sing.

Step 4: Simmer and Thicken the Sauce

Pour in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and chicken broth, stirring everything together and bringing it to a gentle simmer. Mix up the cornstarch slurry and slowly stream it into the bubbling sauce, stirring as it thickens to a beautiful, glossy consistency—about 2–3 minutes.

Step 5: Coat the Chicken

Add your crispy fried chicken pieces into the simmering sauce and toss them so each bite gets gloriously coated. Let them heat through for another 2 minutes, then turn off the heat—your Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe masterpiece is ready!

How to Serve Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

The final flourish makes all the difference: shower your chicken with a generous handful of thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. This not only adds vibrant color, but a fresh, nutty contrast to the sticky, saucy chicken.

Side Dishes

General Tso’s chicken just begs to be served alongside steaming jasmine or basmati rice, soaking up all that glorious sauce. For a takeout-inspired spread, add crisp-tender broccoli florets or snap peas for color and crunch. Want to round things out? Some simple cucumber salad or stir-fried veggies turn this into a real feast.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re in the mood to show off, pile the Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe high on a large platter, add fresh chilies for extra drama, or serve in small bowls for a family-style meal. Mini lettuce cups also make a fun, bite-sized appetizer for parties!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep any remaining Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe at its best, transfer cooled chicken to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. The crispy coating will soften a bit, but the flavor stays top notch. Enjoy within 2–3 days for best results.

Freezing

If you’d like to freeze leftovers, lay the sauced chicken pieces out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them freeze individually before moving to a freezer-safe bag. This way, you can pull out just what you need for a quick dinner fix down the road—perfect for busy weeknights!

Reheating

For reheating, use a skillet or the oven instead of the microwave for the best texture. Warm the chicken in a hot pan or at 350°F until heated through, adding a splash of water if the sauce looks too thick. This brings the Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe back to its saucy, delicious glory.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely! While chicken thighs deliver extra juiciness and flavor, chicken breast works wonderfully if that’s what you have on hand. Just take care not to overcook so the pieces stay tender.

What can I use instead of hoisin sauce?

If you don’t have hoisin, try a mix of extra soy sauce, a little brown sugar, and a spoonful of BBQ sauce for a sweet, smoky twist. It won’t be identical but still gives that classic General Tso’s vibe.

Is this recipe gluten free?

The dish can easily be made gluten free by swapping the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos and double-checking that your hoisin and other sauces are certified gluten free.

How spicy is the Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe?

It’s mildly spicy by default thanks to the optional red pepper flakes, but you can dial up or down the heat to your liking. Love it hot? Add more flakes or a drizzle of chili oil at the end.

Can I bake or air fry instead of deep frying?

Definitely! If you want a lighter version, bake the coated chicken pieces on a rack at 425°F or use your air fryer until crisp and cooked through. Then toss with the sauce as directed and enjoy.

Final Thoughts

If you love takeout but want dinner that’s homemade, speedy, and loaded with flavor, you have to try this Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe. With its crispy coating, glossy sauce, and plenty of customizable options, it’s destined to become your new go-to for family nights and casual get-togethers. Go ahead—gather your ingredients and savor the sweet and spicy joy right from your own kitchen!

Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 12 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy the bold flavors of this homemade Easy General Tso’s Chicken recipe, featuring crispy chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. A perfect Asian-inspired dish to satisfy your takeout cravings at home!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil for frying

For the Sauce:

1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
½ cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

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Instructions

Coat the Chicken: Toss chicken in cornstarch, then dip in beaten eggs.
Fry the Chicken: Fry in oil until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Make the Sauce: Sauté garlic, ginger, and red pepper. Add soy sauce, hoisin, vinegar, sugar, broth. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
Combine: Toss fried chicken in sauce. Cook until heated through.
Garnish: Serve garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.