Learn to make crispy, delicious General Tso’s Chicken at home. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, creating a better-than-takeout dish you’ll love.
Author:Leo Abraham
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:50 minutes
Yield:4-6 servings
Category:Main Course
Method:Frying and Stir-frying
Cuisine:Chinese-American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Green onions, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
In a shallow dish, whisk together cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.
Dip each chicken piece into the beaten eggs, then dredge in the cornstarch mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and hoisin sauce.
In the same wok or skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Pour in the sauce mixture and bring to a simmer.
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute.
Add the red pepper flakes.
Return the fried chicken to the wok and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
For extra crispy chicken, ensure the oil is at the correct temperature before frying.
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but thighs tend to stay more moist.