This popular chicken dish is widely believed to be named after a Chinese military general, Zuo Zongtang, though historical evidence doesn’t directly link him to the dish’s creation. It’s thought that Chinese-American restaurants adopted the name General Tso’s Chicken to evoke an authentic Chinese culinary atmosphere, especially since the dish is known by various names across different eateries.

Some common variant names include: General Tso Chicken, General Tsao’s Chicken, General Tao’s Chicken, General T’s Chicken, General Ching’s Chicken, T.S.O. Chicken, and General Jong’s Chicken.

The primary distinction lies in their flavor profiles, particularly the heat level and sweetness. General Tso’s Chicken is typically spicier and boasts a more vibrant orange hue compared to Sesame Chicken. Sesame Chicken, on the other hand, is generally more savory, has a browner sauce, and is often generously garnished with sesame seeds. While General Tso’s does have a spicy kick, its sweetness is more pronounced, creating a beautifully balanced flavor. The spiciness is usually mild, unless you accidentally bite into a whole dried red chili pepper, which can occasionally be found in the sauce depending on the restaurant’s preparation.

Generally, General Tso’s Chicken is considered mildly spicy. The heat typically comes from red chili pepper flakes, which can be adjusted to your preference. The dish’s characteristic sweetness often balances out and even overpowers the heat, making it palatable for most. However, if whole dried chili peppers are used in the sauce, consuming one directly could provide a more intense burst of spice.

Achieving truly crispy chicken relies on two key factors: proper deep-frying and an effective breading or batter. While some Asian establishments might use tempura batter, for home cooking, a simple breading of flour or cornstarch works wonderfully, especially since the chicken will eventually be coated in a thick sauce. To ensure maximum crispness, fry the coated chicken pieces in sufficient oil, ensuring they are well-submerged and cooked in batches to prevent overcrowding. Thoroughly dredging the chicken pieces in the breading, sometimes even after a slight wet dip, helps create a robust and crispy crust.

Absolutely! To make this General Tso’s Chicken recipe gluten-free, simply substitute cornstarch for the all-purpose flour in the breading. Ensure all other ingredients, especially soy sauce, are certified gluten-free (look for tamari as a gluten-free soy sauce alternative).

To prepare this dish in a slow cooker (crockpot), first fry your breaded chicken pieces as directed to achieve crispness. Then, transfer the fried chicken into the slow cooker. Pour the prepared General Tso’s sauce over the chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2-4 hours. For the best results, we recommend lightly simmering the sauce beforehand to help it thicken, as slow cookers don’t reduce liquids as much.

Yes, you can certainly bake General Tso’s Chicken. After frying your chicken pieces until golden, transfer them to a baking dish. Pour the General Tso’s sauce evenly over the chicken. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 45 minutes. Keep in mind that baked or slow-cooked versions might result in a runnier sauce compared to stove-top simmering, unless the sauce is reduced and thickened considerably before being added to the chicken.

General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved sweet and spicy chicken dish, a cornerstone of Chinese-American restaurant menus. It features bite-sized pieces of deep-fried chicken coated in a luscious, sticky sauce that balances sweetness with a distinct kick from chili pepper flakes. Visually, it often has a more vibrant orange hue than Sesame Chicken and might occasionally contain whole dried chili peppers directly in its glossy sauce, depending on the takeout spot. Flavor-wise, it leans sweeter than the more savory Sesame Chicken and is traditionally served with a side of steamed broccoli. Unlike Sesame Chicken, which is famously covered in sesame seeds, General Tso’s often appears without them.

Don’t be intimidated by overly complicated recipes you might have encountered; making homemade General Tso’s Chicken is genuinely straightforward. Opting for homemade not only offers a healthier alternative but can also lead to significant cost savings over time. This delightful battered chicken dish is universally enjoyed coated in its signature sauce, often accompanied by sides like steamed broccoli or charred bell peppers.

How to Prepare General Tso’s Chicken: Your Simple Steps

Mastering a 5-star General Tso’s Chicken Recipe at home is incredibly easy. Just follow these steps:

• Prepare your breading: In a shallow dish, season your all-purpose flour with spices like paprika and garlic salt. For an extra crispy, gluten-free option, cornstarch can be used instead of flour.
• Cut and coat the chicken: Cube your chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier results) into uniform 1-inch chunks. Toss the chicken pieces thoroughly in your prepared flour or cornstarch breading, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
• Fry the chicken: Heat enough oil in a large frying pan for deep-frying. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until they are golden brown and cooked through. This initial fry creates the essential crispy crust. The chicken will finish cooking in the sauce later.
• Remove chicken: Once fried, remove the chicken pieces from the pan and set aside, draining any excess oil.
• Sauté aromatics (optional but recommended): In the same pan, you can now sauté aromatics like onion chunks, sweet bell peppers, fresh minced garlic, ginger, and red chili pepper flakes. Sear these vegetables over high heat for 2-3 minutes until they develop a slightly charred appearance.
• Combine and simmer: Remove the sautéed veggies (if using) and then add the fried chicken back to the pan along with the prepared General Tso’s sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for about 12 minutes. The sauce will gradually reduce and thicken, coating the chicken in a beautiful, glossy glaze.
• Serve: The chicken will be perfectly coated in its signature sweet and spicy sauce. Serve immediately over steamed rice, accompanied by the charred veggies (if used).

Quick Broccoli Side: For an easy side, simply place a colander filled with broccoli florets over the simmering pot of General Tso’s Chicken during the last 7 minutes of cooking. You’ll have perfectly steamed broccoli ready to serve!

Enhance the Spices: To intensify the flavor profile, feel free to add fresh or dried garlic and ginger to the sauce.

Sesame Chicken is another popular Chinese-American dish, distinctly different from General Tso’s Chicken. It is generally more savory and salty, with a darker sauce, and less spicy than General Tso’s. Its most recognizable feature is the generous sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds over the sauced chicken, which contribute to its nutty flavor and characteristic appearance.

Given that General Tso’s Chicken is quite saucy, it pairs wonderfully with various sides that can soak up the delicious sauce or offer a contrasting texture. Think light veggies, a complementary stir-fry, or hearty noodles like Lo Mein! Here are some fantastic Asian-inspired dishes to consider:

• Chicken Lo Mein
• Lo Mein (Take-Out Copycat)
• Beef Stir-Fry
• Chinese Chicken Fingers
• EASY Chinese Noodles Recipe

For the Crispy Chicken Breading:

For the Sweet & Spicy General Tso’s Sauce:

Detailed Steps to Make General Tso’s Chicken:

• 

  In a large frying pan, heat 3/4 cup of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Coat the chicken pieces thoroughly in the prepared breading mixture. Fry the chicken in batches until each piece is golden brown and crispy. Ensure not to overcrowd the pan to maintain oil temperature and crispness. Once cooked, remove the chicken and set aside.
• 

  In a separate bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: sugar, water, white distilled vinegar, salt, and soy sauce (and red chili pepper flakes if using). Pour this mixture over the fried chicken pieces in the pan. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for approximately 12 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and reduced to a glossy, sticky consistency that coats the chicken beautifully. Serve hot over steamed rice, garnished with sesame seeds or green onions, and alongside steamed broccoli if desired.

• Quick Meat Tenderizer: For incredibly tender chicken, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of vinegar with the cubed chicken. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly before proceeding with the breading. This step significantly improves the chicken’s texture.
• Crockpot Instructions: To adapt for a slow cooker, first fry the chicken as per instructions to ensure crispness. Transfer the fried chicken to your crockpot, then pour the prepared General Tso’s sauce over it. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. For a thicker sauce, consider simmering it on the stovetop for a few minutes before adding it to the slow cooker.
• Oven-Baked Instructions: For an oven-baked version, fry the chicken until golden brown. Place the fried chicken into a baking dish and pour the sauce over. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes. As with the crockpot, pre-simmering the sauce will help achieve a thicker consistency.
• Handy Tip for Broccoli: To effortlessly steam broccoli, place a colander of broccoli florets directly on top of the pot while the chicken simmers in the sauce. It will be perfectly steamed in about 7 minutes, making for a quick and healthy side.
• Adjusting Spice: For those who enjoy more heat, add an extra teaspoon of red chili flakes. Additionally, incorporating fresh ginger or garlic can further enhance the depth of flavors in the sauce.

Nutrition per serving