Description
“Make crispy, restaurant-quality General Tso’s Chicken at home in under 30 minutes! This easy recipe features a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce for the perfect weeknight dinner.”
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
For Garnish:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, and black pepper.
- Dip chicken pieces in beaten egg, then coat with the cornstarch-flour mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy (about 3–4 minutes per side). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, ginger, garlic, and chicken broth.
- Pour the sauce mixture into a pan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens (about 2 minutes).
3. Combine and Serve
- Add the crispy chicken to the pan with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Notes
- Baked Version: Bake chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes instead of frying.
- Healthier Alternative: Use skinless chicken breast and air-fry for a lighter version.
- Extra Spicy: Increase the red pepper flakes or add Sriracha.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with crispy tofu or cauliflower.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: frying
- Cuisine: American, chinese
Keywords: General Tso’s Chicken, quick dinner recipe, homemade takeout, crispy fried chicken, easy Chinese food