General Tso’s Chicken Best Quick and Easy Recipe
Tender chicken is coated in a bold, glossy sauce that’s the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and a little spicy. This sweet, sticky, and slightly spicy General Tso’s Chicken is fast, made with pantry ingredients, and tastes just like your favorite Chinese restaurant dish.
Serve it over hot fluffy rice and add steamed broccoli for a takeout-style dinner at home. This is one of those easy Chinese food recipes your whole family will ask for again and again.
Packed with savory sauce and bold taste, it’s a beloved Chinese takeaway dish you can make in 30 minutes. Perfect for quick stir-fry nights or when you’re in the mood for something better than Chinese takeout!
You can throw this dish together on the stovetop in no time. Just cook up a batch of fluffy rice in your rice cooker while the chicken simmers. It’s super easy, made with basic pantry items, and packed with bold flavor your whole family will love.
This easy General Tso’s Chicken is everything you want in a homemade version of your Chinese restaurant favorites—bold flavor, quick to make, and unbelievably satisfying. Juicy chicken is coated in a rich, savory sauce that’s sticky, slightly sweet, and has just the right kick from a spicy sauce.
The glossy, sticky sauce clings to each bite of chicken, bringing a crave-worthy balance of sweet and heat. It’s a great recipe for busy nights and a fun way to bring classic Chinese dishes to your home kitchen. Serve it over fluffy rice with red chopsticks for the full effect!
This dish is a fast favorite in Chinese cooking—simple to make, big on flavor, and better than takeout. Make a batch on the stovetop while your rice cooker does the rest. It’s quick, pantry-friendly, and full of bold, saucy goodness your whole family will love.
Try it tonight—a great way to start cooking more of your favorite Chinese restaurant classics at home. This one’s a keeper!
What is General Tso’s Chicken and Where Did It Originate From?
General Tso’s Chicken is a sweet and spicy Chinese-American dish made with crispy chicken pieces tossed in a sticky garlic and chili sauce.
Named after a Qing dynasty military leader, General Tso Tsung-t’ang, although it’s not traditionally Chinese.
The recipe was popularized in American Chinese restaurants, especially in New York City during the 1970s. Today, it’s a beloved Chinese takeout favorite in the U.S.
Variation for General Tso’s Chicken Recipe:
- Use vegetable oil, peanut oil, or avocado oil.
- Add a teaspoon of fresh ginger or a teaspoon of sesame oil
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Healthier than takeout – pan-seared, not deep-fried
- Simple ingredients – pantry staples, nothing fancy
- Fast dinner – on the table in 30 minutes
- Perfect balance – sweet, salty, spicy, and sticky
- Family favorite – even picky eaters love it!
- Serve with hot, fluffy white rice, steamed broccoli, or your favorite noodles.
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Tools Needed to Make a Quick and Easy General Tso’s Chicken:
- Large skillet or nonstick frying pan
- Measuring spoons & cups
- Small bowl (for sauce)
- Tongs or a spatula
- Knife & cutting board
- Optional: a wok if you have one, but a skillet works great!
Here’s the Ingredients You Will Need:
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cubed
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Garnish with: Green Onion and Sesame Seeds
How to Make Step by Step:
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
- Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes.
- Toss with cornstarch until lightly coated.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces in a single layer.
- Cook 4–6 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Step 4: Simmer Everything
- Add sauce to the skillet and bring to a simmer.
- Return chicken to the pan.
- Toss to coat and cook for 5–6 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve hot with rice, veggies, or noodles.
General Tso’s Chicken Best Quick and Easy Recipe
This stovetop General Tso’s Chicken is bold, sweet, and just a little spicy. It’s fast, flavorful, and perfect for busy nights when you want something better than takeout!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 lbs Boneless Chicken Breast, cubed
2 tbsp Corn Starch
1 tbsp Olive Oil
For the Sauce:
1/4 cup low-sodium Soy Sauce
1/4 cup Hoisin Sauce
2 tbsp Brown Sugar
1 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
2 garlic Cloves, minced
1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
Optional Garnish:
Chopped green onions
Sesame seeds
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes and toss with cornstarch.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add chicken and cook for about 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients.
5. Pour sauce into skillet and bring to a simmer.
6. Return chicken to the skillet and stir to coat. Cook for 5–6 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve over hot rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
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