I first shared this recipe on Recipe Girl where I am a contributor. Can’t get enough Chinese take-out? Make this sweet and spicy General Tso Chicken at home in just 20 minutes. Serve it over rice and you have a complete meal the family will love!
The BEST General Tso’s Chicken
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Chinese food like this General Tso’s Chicken is the best! I love the sweet and savory flavors together and it’s so easy to throw in fresh veggies.
Panda Express and PF Chang’s will always hold a special place in my heart with all the memories I have eating at them. While I do love going out to eat, it’s definitely pricey so being able to make the same great meal at home for a fraction of the price is a “win” in my book. This General Tso’s Chicken tastes just like the restaurant classic and comes together ridiculously quick. You’ll have it on the table faster than the delivery guy can bring you those white little cartons.
How to Make General Tso Chicken?
You’ll first want get your rice started so it’s ready when your chicken is done. I often forget to get the rice started which bites so learn from my mistakes!
Next, toss your chicken with the cornstarch. This is what gives the chicken that classic breaded texture but without actually making a batter and deep frying. You’ll let the cornstarch soak into the chicken while you prep everything else for the dish.
Chop up your veggies and then mix all the sauce ingredients together in a liquid measuring cup. No need to dirty extra measuring cup or a bowl! Now you have everything ready to cook.
Heat up 1/4 cup oil in a wok or non-stick skillet and then add the chicken. Let the chicken cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring. You want it to become golden brown. Flip each piece of chicken and let it cook another 2-3 minutes until golden. Remove the chicken from the pan leaving the remaining oil in the pan. Throw in the veggies and stir fry for 2 minutes and then add the chicken back along with the sauce and stir fry another minute or two until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the chicken. Remove it from the heat and sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds and serve it up over a bed of white or brown rice.
How easy is that?! Just 20 minutes for a dairy-free, gluten-free delicious meal that your family is sure to love. I mean, how can your kids not eat broccoli when the florets are soaked in a yummy sweet garlic sauce? Plus this is less expensive and will be on the table faster than delivery. Of course, this doesn’t come with a fortune cookie which was always half the fun of eating at a Chinese restaurant. But really, once you try this, you’ll forget all about those cookies.
HERE ARE A FEW MORE ASIAN RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- Slow Cooker Thai Sweet Chili Chicken
- Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Crunchy Asian Broccoli Slaw
- One Pan Sesame Ginger Salmon & Broccoli
- Cashew Chicken
- Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli
TOOLS USED TO MAKE THIS EASY GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN:
Non-stick fry pans– I love these and use them for everything! Non-stick makes cooking and cleaning so much easier!
Liquid Measuring Cup– This baby gets used almost everyday. I love having a glass one because it’s doesn’t get stained, scratched, and it can go in the microwave. This is a must for every kitchen.
Rice Cooker– I love having a rice cooker! Perfect rice every time. I never have to worry about forgetting to turn it off and burning the bottom (that has happened to many times when using a pot).
General Tso Chicken
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce, more if desired
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 pound chicken, cubed
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, cubed
- 1 green onion, sliced
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Place chicken in a mixing bowl and toss with the cornstarch until all is coated. Set aside.
- Mix all sauce ingredients together and set aside.
- Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken and let it cook for 2-3 minutes until browned. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove chicken onto plate.
- Add the broccoli and bell pepper to the skillet and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the chicken back and pour on the sauce. Toss and cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat, sprinkle with green onions and green onion, and serve over rice.
This sauce is very good…In addition to General Tso’s Chicken, I vary it with other ingredients such as a touch of Sinkiang (Chinese black) vinegar, cutting back on the soy sauce, more or less ginger and/or hoisin to customize it into my own Special “House” Sauce. Good on not only chicken, but sauteed or battered/fried pork cubes, various vegetables and tofu.
Yes! This sauce is very versatile. Thank you Ben! 🙂