Easy General Tso's Chicken (30 Minutes)

Easy General Tso's Chicken (30 Minutes)

Crispy, juicy chicken coated in a sticky sauce hits all the sweet, savory, and spicy notes. This easy General Tso's chicken recipe is ready in 30 minutes for a fast weeknight dinner. Serve it over steamed rice for that classic Chinese takeout-style meal at home.

4.99 from 64 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Servings

Calories per serving 332 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
¼ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon ginger peeled & thinly sliced
⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
½ green onion finely chopped
¼ teaspoon sesame seeds toasted kind

General Tso Sauce:

3 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoon regular soy sauce or light soy sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspoon sesame oil toasted kind
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes add 1⁄2 teaspoon more for extra heat
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ cup water cold

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together the listed sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Dice the chicken thighs into even 1 1⁄2-inch cubes. Do not pat the chicken dry; the natural surface moisture helps the cornstarch stick.
Place the chicken in a large bowl, add the cornstarch, and toss until evenly coated. If wet spots remain, add 1-2 tablespoons more cornstarch as needed.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry the chicken in small batches for 6-7 minutes total, keeping the oil between 325-350°F. Don't move the chicken during the first half of cooking. Once golden and crispy, flip and fry the other side until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Between batches, return the oil to 350°F and remove any browned bits. Transfer to a wire rack to keep crisp.
Remove the excess oil from the pan, leaving 1 teaspoon of oil. Sauté the ginger over medium-high heat for 5 seconds. Whisk the sauce again, then pour it into the pan. Simmer for 30 seconds or until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Quickly toss the fried chicken in the thickened sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately.

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