If you’ve ever craved that addictive, crispy, and perfectly sauced chicken you get from your favorite Chinese takeout spot, you are going to adore this Homemade General Tso Chicken Recipe. It’s everything you love about the classic dish—crispy chicken thighs enveloped in a beautifully balanced sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy glaze. What makes this recipe special is how easily you can create that authentic flavor and crunch right in your own kitchen, using simple ingredients that come together to deliver a restaurant-quality experience any day of the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is surprisingly straightforward, but each one plays a crucial role in building the incredible flavor and texture of this dish. From the crispiness of the chicken to the luscious sauce, everything works in harmony.
- Boneless Chicken Thighs: Juicy and tender, they stay moist during frying and absorb flavor wonderfully.
- Rice Flour and Corn Starch: This combo creates the extra crispy coating we all crave without heaviness.
- Soy Sauce: A salty, umami backbone that marinates the chicken and flavors the sauce beautifully.
- Minced Garlic and Fresh Grated Ginger: Aromatic essentials that give the sauce its bold, savory punch.
- Hoisin Sauce: Adds subtle sweetness and depth, making the glaze perfectly balanced.
- Honey: Natural sweetness that caramelizes during cooking for a sticky, irresistible finish.
- Rice Vinegar: Brings a gentle tang that lifts the sauce, preventing it from becoming too heavy.
- Crushed Red Pepper: Just the right amount of heat that can be adjusted to your spice preference.
- Soda Water and Egg: These keep the batter light and airy, ensuring that excellent crunch.
- Oil for Frying: Enough to deep fry the chicken to golden perfection.
How to Make Homemade General Tso Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Marinate and Prepare the Chicken
Start by marinating your bite-sized chicken thighs with soy sauce, minced garlic, a pinch of salt and pepper, corn starch, rice flour, soda water, and an egg. Gently massage the mixture to coat the chicken evenly until it reaches a thick but slightly runny batter. This ensures the chicken is perfectly seasoned and prepped to achieve that incredible crunchy texture once fried. Let it rest for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the batter to set.
Step 2: Make the Signature Sauce
While the chicken rests, whisk together 2.5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1.5 tablespoons of hoisin sauce, 3 to 4 tablespoons of honey, 1.5 tablespoons of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger, 1.5 tablespoons of rice vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper. This sauce is your ticket to all those layers of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy notes for which General Tso Chicken is famous. Set it aside until you’re ready to heat.
Step 3: Deep Fry the Chicken
Heat enough oil in a pan over medium-high heat to fully submerge the chicken pieces. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the marinated chicken. Fry for 6 to 7 minutes until the chicken achieves a beautiful golden-brown crust. For an extra crispy finish, remove the chicken briefly, increase the heat to high, then return the chicken to the oil and fry for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. This double-fry step takes the crunch to the next level and locks in moisture.
Step 4: Cook the Sauce and Combine
In a separate pan, bring your sauce mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Combine 2 tablespoons of corn starch with 3 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce to thicken it nicely. After about 30 seconds, toss in the crispy chicken and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Turn up the heat and toss everything together for one final minute so the chicken becomes luxuriously coated in that luscious sauce.
How to Serve Homemade General Tso Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Finish your dish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a delicate crunch and subtle nuttiness. Thinly sliced green onions add a fresh pop of color and mild zest that cuts through the richness beautifully. For a little extra flair, try a few red pepper flakes or even some freshly chopped cilantro if you like an herbal note.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with simple steamed white or jasmine rice, which soaks up every bit of that amazing sauce. If you love a classic takeout vibe, pair it with fried rice or savory chow mein. Lightly steamed or stir-fried bok choy or broccoli also complement the bold flavors and add vibrant color and texture to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Homemade General Tso Chicken Recipe on a bed of fluffy cauliflower rice to keep things keto-friendly and make it feel fresh. Or try it wrapped in crisp lettuce cups for a handheld delight that’s perfect for casual gatherings. Another great idea is to toss the chicken with noodles for a saucy stir-fry that’s perfect for sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the chicken and sauce together in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The chicken will soften slightly but still holds onto most of the delicious flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked General Tso Chicken by placing it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. It’s best to separate the sauce and chicken if freezing separately for optimal texture. Freeze for up to 2 months for easy future meals.
Reheating
To enjoy leftovers with that crispiness intact, reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat or in an air fryer if you have one. Add the sauce just before serving. Avoid microwaving when possible, as it tends to make the coating soggy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! While chicken thighs stay juicier and more tender, chicken breast can be used for a leaner option. Just be careful not to overcook them during frying to keep them from drying out.
How spicy is this Homemade General Tso Chicken Recipe?
The recipe includes crushed red pepper for a mild to moderate heat, but you can easily adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less. It’s totally customizable!
Is it possible to bake instead of deep frying?
You can bake the chicken pieces for a lighter version, but frying truly delivers the signature crispiness. Baking may result in a less crunchy texture but will still taste delicious.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Yes, the sauce mixes up quickly and can be made ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge and warm it up gently when ready to toss with the chicken.
What’s the best oil for frying?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. These oils handle the deep-frying temperatures well and let the chicken shine without imparting extra flavors.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope this Homemade General Tso Chicken Recipe inspires you to bring your favorite Chinese takeout classic into your own kitchen. It’s a fun and rewarding dish, perfect for a weekend treat or impressing friends and family. Once you master these steps, you’ll never have to rely on delivery again—crispy, saucy, and utterly satisfying comfort food awaits!
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Homemade General Tso Chicken Recipe
This General Tso Chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of crispy, juicy chicken thighs coated in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy glaze. Inspired by classic Chinese takeout, this homemade version uses a simple marinade and a flavorful sauce to create a restaurant-quality dish that pairs wonderfully with fried rice or chow mein. Ideal for a satisfying and impressive dinner, this recipe is easy to prepare and promises a delightful meal for the whole family.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 6 pieces boneless chicken thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup rice flour
- ¼ cup corn starch
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to season
- ⅓ cup soda water
- 1 egg
General Tso Sauce
- 2.5 tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 3–4 tbsp honey
- 1.5 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 3 tbsp cold water
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, pepper, corn starch, rice flour, soda water, and egg. Add the chicken pieces and massage the mixture thoroughly to form a thick but slightly runny batter. Adjust the rice flour or soda water if needed. Let the chicken rest and marinate for 20 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together 2.5 tbsp soy sauce, 1.5 tbsp hoisin sauce, 3-4 tbsp honey, 1.5 tbsp minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, rice vinegar, and crushed red pepper until well combined.
- Deep Fry the Chicken (First Fry): Heat enough oil in a deep pan to fully cover the chicken over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces and deep fry for 6-7 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside on a rack or paper towels.
- Optional Second Fry: For extra crispiness, bring the oil temperature higher, add the fried chicken back into the hot oil, and fry for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove and drain again.
- Cook the Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into a clean pan and simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes to develop flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: Combine 2 tbsp corn starch with 3 tbsp cold water to make a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the simmering sauce and continue cooking for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the crispy chicken pieces to the sauce pan, sprinkle sesame seeds, and toss everything together over high heat for 1 minute to coat the chicken evenly and meld flavors.
Notes
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy coating.
- You can adjust the crushed red pepper quantity based on your spice preference.
- For a low-carb or keto version, try substituting rice flour and soda water with almond flour and sparkling water respectively.
- Serve with steamed rice, fried rice, or chow mein for a complete meal.
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs keeps the meat juicy and tender.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
