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This Homemade General Tso’s Chicken is crispy, sticky, and full of flavor! Made with golden fried chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce, it’s an easy Chinese takeout classic you can make at home in under 30 minutes.

A skillet of cooked sesame chicken, a classic Chinese chicken dish, garnished with green onions is surrounded by a bowl of rice, empty black plates with chopsticks, and ingredients like ginger, garlic, and sesame seeds on a marble surface.
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Why You’ll Love General Tso’s Chicken Recipe!

A woman with long dark hair, wearing earrings and a burgundy top, smiles at the camera in front of a textured, beige background.

Whenever I crave Chinese takeout, General Tso’s Chicken is my go-to order! The crispy chicken pieces coated in that glossy, sweet-and-spicy sauce is my favorite dish.

Once I realized how easy it is to make at home, I stopped ordering out! My version keeps all the signature flavors such as garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of heat while being perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside.

It’s pure comfort food, takeout-style, right from your kitchen. Asian Recipes makes for a delicious meal that my entire family loves! For even more ideas, make Crockpot Sticky Chicken, Fried Wonton Recipe, and Mongolian Beef and Noodles.

Ingredients

Overhead view of various ingredients in glass bowls on a marble surface, including raw chicken pieces, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and seasonings—everything you need to make classic General Tso's Chicken from Asian cuisine.
  • Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs – Cut into bite size pieces, approximately 1 inches
  • Cornstarch – Helps to thicken the sauce
  • Olive Oil, for frying – Use your favorite oil
  • Fresh Ginger – Substitute with ¼ teaspoon Ground Ginger)
  • Cloves Garlic, minced – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
  • Red Pepper Flakes – Adds a hint of spice
  • Sesame Seeds – Optional topping

For the Sauce

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make General Tso’s Chicken

A white bowl with brown sauce, sugar, and spices being mixed by a small whisk with a wooden handle, perfect for an Asian cuisine dish like General Tso's Chicken, on a white marble surface next to a striped kitchen towel.

Step 1 – Whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

A white plate with raw, sliced chicken pieces topped with a pile of white flour sits on a light marble surface next to a gray and white striped cloth—a classic first step in preparing General Tso's Chicken, a favorite in Chinese food and Asian cuisine.

Step 2 – Toss the chicken in batches in the cornstarch making sure to coat it completely. Set aside.

A white skillet filled with pieces of raw chicken cooking in olive oil sits on a white marble surface next to a folded gray and white striped cloth, ready for a delicious Chinese chicken recipe inspired by Asian cuisine.

Step 3 – Heat approximately 2 inches of oil in a deep large skillet, wok or large sauce pan to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the piece of chicken in the oil in batches (2-3 depending on the size of your pan). Fry for 2-3 minutes, flipping it halfway through the cooking time, until all sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Drain chicken by removing and placing on a plate.

A white skillet with browned oil, minced garlic, and a wooden spoon rests on a marble counter next to a gray-striped kitchen towel—perfect prep for an easy chicken recipe inspired by classic Chinese food.

Step 4 – Remove most of the oil from the pan leaving approximately 1 tablespoon. Heat over medium high heat. Add in the ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for approximately 30 seconds until you can start to smell the garlic and ginger.

A white skillet filled with a brown, chunky General Tso's Chicken sauce and a wooden spoon resting inside, placed on a white marble surface next to a gray striped kitchen towel.

Step 5 – Whisk in the sauce and bring to a simmer while stirring. Cook for approximately 1 minute until it starts to thicken slightly.

A white skillet filled with cooked, seasoned pieces of chicken, perfect for a homemade General Tso's Chicken recipe, with a wooden spoon resting inside. The skillet sits on a white marble surface next to a folded gray striped kitchen towel.

Step 6 – Add the chicken to the pan and stir to coat it with the sauce. Serve warm topped with sesame seeds, scallions and enjoy!

A skillet filled with sesame chicken, inspired by a classic Chinese chicken recipe, topped with chopped green onions and surrounded by bowls of rice, sesame seeds, fresh ginger, and chopsticks on a white surface.
Review Pin Print
A black plate with white rice and pieces of glazed orange chicken, a classic of Chinese food, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, with chopsticks and small bowls of sesame seeds and green onions nearby.

General Tso’s Chicken

5 from 1 vote
This Homemade General Tso’s Chicken is crispy, sticky, and full of flavor! Made with golden fried chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce, it’s an easy Chinese takeout classic you can make at home in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine Chinese
Course Main Course
Calories 900
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

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Instructions

  • Whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • Toss the chicken in batches in the cornstarch making sure to coat it completely. Set aside.
  • Heat approximately 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or large sauce pan to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cook the chicken in the oil in batches (2-3 depending on the size of your pan). Fry for 2-3 minutes, flipping it halfway through the cooking time, until all sides are browned and the chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken from the oil to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the oil.
  • Remove most of the oil from the pan leaving approximately 1 tablespoon. Heat over medium high heat.
  • Add in the ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for approximately 30 seconds until you can start to smell the garlic and ginger.
  • Whisk in the sauce and bring to a simmer while stirring.
  • Cook for approximately 1 minute until it starts to thicken slightly.
  • Add the chicken to the pan and stir to coat it with the sauce.
  • Serve warm topped with sesame seeds and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

 
Recipe Tips
  • Cooking Chicken – It’s important to cook the chicken in batches so that it browns evenly. Check the oil temperature before each new batch is added as it will lower the temperature of the oil. Heat until it returns to 375 degrees F before adding the next batch of chicken.
  • Cooking Garlic and Ginger – You can use a new pan and add 1 tablespoon of oil to the new pan when sautéing the garlic and ginger instead of using the same pan as the chicken if you prefer.
  • Make Ahead – Fry chicken ahead of time, then toss in sauce right before serving.
Variations Ideas
  • Sweet Twist – Toss in pineapple chunks for a tangy flavor.
  • Extra Spicy – Add sriracha or extra chili paste.
  • Baked Version – Bake chicken at 400°F for 20–25 minutes instead of frying.
  • Air Fryer Method – Air fry at 375°F for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
  • Change Chicken – Chicken breast can be used instead of chicken thighs if you prefer.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 900kcal, Carbohydrates 19g, Protein 30g, Fat 78g, Saturated Fat 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat 9g, Monounsaturated Fat 55g, Trans Fat 0.03g, Cholesterol 144mg, Sodium 568mg, Potassium 429mg, Fiber 0.3g, Sugar 7g, Vitamin A 86IU, Vitamin C 0.5mg, Calcium 28mg, Iron 2mg

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Serving Recommendations

This Chinese-American dish pairs perfectly with Instant pot White Rice Recipe, Easy Fried Rice Recipe and Steam Broccoli in Microwave.

You can also serve with Jasmine Rice Recipe, Cauliflower Fried Rice, Microwave Brown Rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Difference between General Tso’s and Orange Chicken?

The main difference is the sauce as General Tso’s has a dark, savory and slightly spicy sauce and Orange Chicken that is lighter, tangy and sweeter.

How to Store Leftovers

Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Can I Freeze Leftovers?

For the best texture, we like to freeze the fried chicken and sauce separetely in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat together in a skillet for a delicious meal.

A black plate with white rice and crispy sesame chicken, inspired by classic Chinese chicken recipes, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions. Nearby are chopsticks, a blue-striped napkin, plus small bowls of green onions and sesame seeds.

More Easy Asian Recipes

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie Barnard — a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families — without the stress.

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5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Casey says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! Simple, delicious and cooked so quick.

    Reply