Homemade General Tso’s Chicken

Why you'll love this recipe

It strikes the perfect balance between spicy, sweet, and savory—the trifecta of classic Chinese-American cuisine.
The cornstarch-heavy batter creates a "glass-like" crunch that stands up to the thick, dark sauce.
It’s faster and healthier than ordering out, plus you can control the heat level to your liking.

Key Ingredients

Ketchup: A secret ingredient in many General Tso's recipes that adds body, sweetness, and a hint of tomato tang.
Dark Soy Sauce: Provides the iconic dark, rich color that makes the dish look as good as it tastes.
Dried Chili Peppers: Adds a smoky, lingering heat that defines the "General Tso" experience.

✅Quick Tips: Don't skip the cornstarch in the sauce; it’s what gives the dish that glossy, professional "cling" to the chicken.

Key Steps

#1: Mix the General Tso sauce first

#2: Cook the sauce until it bubbles and thickens significantly; it should coat the back of a spoon.

#3: Toss the chicken rapidly in the glaze and serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of hot sauce and crispy meat.

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Cooking Method: Chicken

Courses: Main Dishes

Servings: 2

Description

Battered chicken is fried until shatter-crisp and tossed in a rich, savory sauce made with soy, vinegar, and chili. It is the ultimate comfort meal that beats any delivery service.

Ingredients:

1lb Chicken breast (cubed)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp white pepper powder
1 tsp of salt
1 egg

Dry Mix

70g all purpose flour
15g cornstarch
3g baking powder
70-100g water
A pinch of salt

General Tso's Sauce:

2 tbsp soy souce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp cornstarch
½ cup water

Instructions

1
Cut the chicken breast into bite-size cubes. Season with garlic powder, white pepper, and salt. Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2
In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in water until a smooth batter forms.
3
Add one egg to the marinated chicken and mix well. Transfer the chicken into the batter and coat evenly.
4
Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken until golden and crisp. Remove and set aside.
5
In a bowl, make the General Tso’s sauce by mixing soy sauce, dark soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the sauce lightly thickens.
6
Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Cook briefly, just until glazed.
7
Finish with white sesame and serve immediately.

Keywords: General Tso's, Chicken, Spicy