General Tso's Chicken Recipe

Name: General Tso's Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon peanut oil; 2 cloves garlic, smashed; 2 slices fresh ginger, smashed; 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; Peanut oil, for frying; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup cornstarch, plus 2 tablespoons for slurry; 1/2 cup water; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil; 4 dried red Thai chilies; 4 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped; 3 thick strips orange zest; 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1 1/2 cups chicken stock; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon honey; Cilantro leaves, for garnish; Steamed white rice, for serving

Servings: persons

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken, thinly sliced
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon peanut oil
2 cloves garlic, smashed
2 slices fresh ginger, smashed
1 handful fresh cilantro leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Peanut oil, for frying
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup cornstarch, plus 2 tablespoons for slurry
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
4 dried red Thai chilies
4 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
3 thick strips orange zest
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
Cilantro leaves, for garnish
Steamed white rice, for serving

1
Put the chicken into a bowl with the remaining marinade ingredients.
2
Stir well to combine all the flavors, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3
Heat 2 inches of peanut oil in a wok or deep skillet to 375 degrees F. Mix the egg, cornstarch, water, and sesame oil in a large bowl until smooth and season with salt and pepper.
4
Add the marinated chicken and coat it well with the batter.
5
When the oil is hot, cook the chicken pieces in batches until they are browned and crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes per batch.
6
Drain on paper towels.
7
When you have fried all the chicken, pour off all but 2 tablespoons of oil.
8
Over high heat, add the chilies, scallion, garlic, ginger, and orange zest.
9
Stir-fry for 1 minute then pour in the soy sauce, chicken stock, vinegar, and honey and bring it to a boil.
10
Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth.
11
Pour the slurry into the boiling sauce, in 2 additions, until the sauce thickens.
12
Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are heated through, about 2 more minutes.
13
Garnish with scallions and cilantro leaves.
14
Serve with white rice.

766

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

108

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Swap the honey for maple syrup or agave for a slightly different but equally rich sweetness.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 24 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken, thinly sliced, 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon peanut oil, and more.

Yes, General Tso's Chicken falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

General Tso's Chicken

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions