Chinese Take Out General Tso's Chicken

Indulge in the bold, savory-sweet flavors of Chinese Take Out General Tso's Chicken, a homemade version of the iconic restaurant favorite. Succulent pieces of boneless chicken thighs are marinated, lightly coated in cornstarch, and fried to golden, crispy perfection. This irresistible chicken is then tossed in a thick, glossy sauce made with hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of brown sugar for the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and umami. Aromatic garlic, ginger, and a kick of dried red chilies elevate the dish, while a final garnish of green onions and sesame seeds adds freshness and texture. Ready in under an hour, this crowd-pleasing meal is perfect when served over a bed of steamed rice, bringing all the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout straight to your kitchen. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with ease.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 large egg
• 1.5 cups cornstarch
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 3 cloves (minced) garlic
• 1 tablespoon (minced) fresh ginger
• 6 dried red chilies
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1.5 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon mixed with 1 tablespoon water cornstarch (slurry)
• 2 stalks (sliced thinly) green onions
• 1 teaspoon (optional for garnish) sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a mixing bowl.

Step 2

Marinate the chicken by adding 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and the beaten egg. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes.

Step 3

In a shallow dish, add the cornstarch and dredge the marinated chicken pieces until fully coated.

Step 4

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy (about 4-5 minutes per batch). Drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 5

In a small bowl, mix hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, light brown sugar, chicken broth, and cornstarch slurry. Set this sauce mixture aside.

Step 6

Clean the skillet or wok, leaving about 1 tablespoon of the frying oil. Heat it over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic, ginger, and dried red chilies for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 7

Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and cook while stirring until it thickens, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 8

Add the fried chicken into the sauce and toss well to coat every piece.

Step 9

Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1866.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6356.3

Total Fat 531.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 90.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 272.1g
Cholesterol 1354.5mg	0%
Sodium 3482.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 173.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.0g
Protein 260.6g	0%

Vitamin D 117.3IU	0%
Calcium 280.1mg	0%
Iron 18.8mg	0%
Potassium 3688.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 73.4%

Protein: 16.0%

Carbs: 10.6%