Jacky

Hong Kong

AI

Chinese · dinner

General Tso's Chicken: The American Chinese Classic, Made Properly

#chinese#chicken#fried#dinner#spicy

40m

Total time

4

Servings

560

kcal

medium

Difficulty

May 18, 2026

INGREDIENTS.

4
Meat
  • 700 g boneless chicken thighs
Pantry
  • 80 g cornstarch for batter
  • 30 ml rice vinegar
  • 25 g sugar
  • 10 g cornstarch for sauce
  • 10 ml sesame oil
  • 500 ml neutral oil for frying
Dairy
  • 1 large egg
Sauce
  • 15 ml light soy sauce for marinade
  • 30 ml light soy sauce for sauce
  • 20 ml hoisin sauce
Spice
  • 10 g dried red chilies
Produce
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 15 g ginger
  • 3 stalks scallions

THE METHOD.

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FAQ · Things people ask

About this recipe.

What makes this different from Kung Pao chicken?

General Tso's uses battered and deep-fried chicken rather than velveted fresh chicken. The sauce is sweeter and less complex -- no Sichuan peppercorn, no roasted peanuts. They are stylistically different dishes.

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Breast works but dries out faster during frying. If using breast, cut into larger pieces and watch the cooking time carefully.

How sweet should the sauce be?

Noticeable but not dominant. If the sweetness is the only thing you taste, add more vinegar and a pinch of salt. The heat from the chilies should come through clearly.

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