Updated on September 29th, 2025
General Tso’s chicken is one of those dishes that people crave when ordering Chinese takeout, and for good reason. Crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce makes it both comforting and exciting. This homemade version lets you enjoy that restaurant-style flavor without leaving the house, and it comes together faster than you might expect. Using boneless chicken thighs helps keep the meat juicy, while the sauce brings just the right balance of flavors. Pair it with white rice, and you’ll have a meal that tastes every bit as satisfying as your favorite takeout spot.
Why this recipe works
- Balanced sauce: The mix of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and rice wine creates a sweet, tangy, and savory sauce that defines General Tso’s chicken beautifully.
- Crispy coating: Combining egg and cornstarch gives the chicken a crunchy exterior that holds up well, even when coated in sauce.
- Quick preparation: Despite its restaurant-style taste, this recipe doesn’t take long to make, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.
- Authentic touch: Frying dried red chilies in the oil before adding the chicken brings a gentle heat that mimics the dish from takeout menus.
- Versatile choice: You can use chicken thighs for extra juiciness or swap in chicken breasts if you prefer a leaner cut without losing flavor.
Serving suggestions
- Classic pairing: Serve General Tso’s chicken over steamed white rice or jasmine rice to soak up the sweet and spicy sauce.
- Vegetable side: Add sautéed or steamed vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, or snap peas for a balanced and colorful meal.
- Noodle option: Toss the chicken and sauce with lo mein noodles for a satisfying variation that makes it a complete one-bowl dish.
- Party style: Serve as bite-sized pieces on skewers with extra sauce on the side for dipping at gatherings or potlucks.
- Family dinner: Pair with egg rolls, fried rice, or wonton soup to create a full Chinese-inspired meal at home that everyone will enjoy.
General tso’s chicken recipe
Easy General Tso’s Chicken recipe made with fried chicken and a sweet-spicy glaze. A restaurant-style Chinese dinner ready in minutes at home.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1” chunks)
- 5 dried red chili peppers
- 3 green onions (sliced)
- 3 eggs (beaten)
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- oil (for frying)
Sauce-
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of rice wine
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine cornstarch and beaten eggs. Mix well to create a batter. Add chicken bits and coat thoroughly.
- To make the sauce- in a small bowl combine rice vinegar, rice wine, soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.
- Heat deep fryer or wok to 375 degrees and deep fried chicken bits in batches. Drain on paper towels.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to your work. Add dried chili peppers to your wok and stir fry for 30 seconds. Add chicken bits to the wok and stir fry for a couple minutes. - Add sauce mixture to the wok and cook stirring until the sauce becomes thickened and bubbly. Garnish with green onions and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 21.2 g
- Sodium: 833.5 mg
- Fat: 18.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 57.4 g
- Protein: 26.6 g
- Cholesterol: 349 mg