INTRODUTION: Crispy Sweet General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Description:
Crispy fried chicken tossed in a glossy sweet-spicy sauce — this homemade General Tso’s Chicken recipe tastes just like your favorite take-out! Ready in under 30 minutes. Introduction
General Tso’s Chicken is one of the most popular Chinese-American dishes ever created — golden, crispy bites of chicken coated in a sticky, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce.
It’s crunchy, flavorful, and unbelievably addictive. The secret lies in the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and heat — all coating juicy fried chicken pieces.
🧂 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
500 g (1 lb) boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 egg
3 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry, optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
Oil for deep frying
For the Sauce:
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp hoisin sauce
3 tbsp sugar (or honey for a lighter version)
1 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp water (for slurry)
2 tsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ginger, minced
3–4 dried red chilies (adjust for spice level)
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine chicken, egg, soy sauce, flour, and cornstarch. Mix until each piece is well coated. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes.
2. Make the Sauce:
In a separate bowl, whisk soy sauce, vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
3. Fry the Chicken:
Heat oil in a wok or deep pan over medium-high heat.
Fry chicken pieces in small batches until golden and crispy (about 4–5 minutes).
Remove and drain on paper towels.
4. Prepare the Sauce:
In a clean wok, add 1 tbsp oil. Stir-fry minced garlic, ginger, and dried chilies until fragrant.
Pour in the sauce mixture, bring to a simmer, then stir in cornstarch slurry to thicken.
5. Coat the Chicken:
Add fried chicken pieces into the sauce. Toss until everything is evenly coated and glossy.
6. Serve Hot:
Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced spring onions.
Serve with steamed jasmine rice or fried rice.
🌶️ Tips for Perfection
Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness.
Fry twice (optional) for extra crunch.
Adjust sweetness and spice to your liking — that’s the fun of homemade General Tso’s!
Serving Ideas
Pair with:
Steamed white rice
Stir-fried vegetables
Chinese egg fried rice
Simple cucumber salad for freshness