Classic Homemade General Tso’s Chicken Recipe for Dinner

This General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a standout weeknight dinner: family-friendly, fast, and ready in about 30 minutes without any deep frying.

Better than takeout General Tso’s Chicken

If you need an easy dinner but don’t want takeout, this General Tso’s Chicken delivers the familiar sweet-and-savory flavor at home. It skips deep frying for a quicker, lighter pan-seared version that still has plenty of sauce and comfort-food appeal.

I enjoy supporting local restaurants, but when the craving hits and I want to save time and money, this is the recipe I turn to. It’s faster than most slow-cooker dishes and comes together in a single skillet.

What is General Tso’s Chicken?

Named after a historical figure, General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring bite-sized chicken tossed in a sticky, slightly spicy sauce. The version served in many U.S. restaurants is often fried; this recipe adapts that flavor profile using pan-cooked chicken and a balanced, homemade sauce.

Why you’ll love this General Tso’s Chicken

This recipe has been a family favorite for years. It’s reliable, fast, and crowd-pleasing—perfect when you want a fakeout takeout meal without leaving the house.

• Quick and easy: ready in roughly 30 minutes.
• Great fakeout takeout: familiar flavors without the restaurant price.
• Kid-friendly: mild and sweet, with simple options to add heat.
• Good for meal prep: keeps well in the fridge for several days.
• No deep frying required—less mess and less oil.

Ingredients

Main ingredients for the chicken:

• Boneless skinless chicken breast — cut into 1″ pieces. Boneless skinless thighs also work and yield juicier results.
• Coarse kosher salt & ground black pepper — for seasoning.
• Garlic powder — adds rounded savory flavor.
• Avocado oil — or sesame, olive, or vegetable oil for cooking.

The sauce is versatile and also works with tofu, shrimp, or pork if you prefer a different protein.

General Tso’s Sauce

• Brown sugar
• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Rice wine vinegar
• Minced ginger
• Red chile puree (or chili garlic sauce)
• Minced garlic
• Cornstarch (for slurry)
• Cold water (for slurry)
• Green onion (sliced, for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

How to make General Tso’s Chicken

1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with the avocado oil. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until cooked through and golden on the outside.

3. While the chicken cooks, whisk together the sauce: brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, red chile puree, and minced garlic until smooth.

4. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the chicken and reduce heat to medium.

5. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. When the sauce comes to a gentle boil, add the slurry and stir while simmering until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.

6. Serve immediately over rice, topped with sliced green onion and sesame seeds.

Tips

• Cook chicken until it reaches 165°F and is no longer pink inside.
• Avoid overcooking: add the sauce just before the chicken is done to retain juiciness.
• To turn up the heat, add extra red chile puree, sriracha, or red pepper flakes.
• The sauce pairs well with shrimp, pork, or tofu for a vegan option (use tofu and a vegan hoisin).

What to serve with General Tso’s Chicken

Classic pairings include steamed white rice or fried rice, and a simple side of roasted or steamed broccoli. Finish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for color and texture.

Storage and reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze, cool completely, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze up to 6 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 5–10 minutes until warmed through; the oven helps maintain texture better than a microwave.

FAQs

Is General Tso’s Chicken healthy?

Restaurant versions are often fried and higher in calories. This pan-cooked recipe is lighter since it avoids deep frying, though the sauce contains sugar so it may not fit all dietary plans.

What does General Tso’s Chicken taste like?

It’s sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy with a glossy sauce that clings to bite-sized pieces of chicken. You can easily adjust the spice level to taste.

Is General Tso’s Chicken gluten-free?

This recipe itself does not use flour, but soy sauce contains gluten unless you use a gluten-free tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.

How does it compare to sesame or orange chicken?

General Tso’s typically has a spicier, tangy-sweet sauce. Sesame chicken is sweeter and milder, often with a thicker sweet glaze and sesame flavor. Orange chicken features prominent citrus notes from orange zest and juice.

Recipe summary