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attention grabbing tso chicken recipe

General Tso Chicken

This General Tso Chicken delivers the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors coating crispy chicken pieces. The unique U-shaped preparation helps each piece absorb more of the delicious sauce, while the panko-coconut coating creates an irresistible crunch that holds up beautifully. This homemade version allows you to control the heat level for restaurant-quality results every time.
Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1/8 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch plus 1 teaspoon for sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce or Tamari
  • 5 dried red chilies stems and seeds removed
  • 1/8 cup dry sherry or other white wine
  • 2 large eggs yolks removed
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 3 slices ginger 1/4 inch thick
  • 1 green onion scallion
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey or molasses
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon plum sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil cold pressed, not toasted
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water

Equipment

  • Wok
  • Deep fryer
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Slice the chicken breast into ¼-inch strips and place in a ziplock bag with 2 tablespoons cornstarch and the whites from 2 large eggs. Refrigerate for about an hour to tenderize.
  2. Combine panko breadcrumbs with unsweetened coconut flakes in a casserole dish. Dredge each marinated chicken strip thoroughly in the mixture.
  3. Fold each coated strip into a U-shape, place on a cooling rack, and put in the freezer while preparing the sauce.
  4. Whisk together 1 teaspoon cornstarch, sugar, honey, chicken broth, dry sherry, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, plum sauce, and dark soy sauce. Refrigerate the sauce mixture.
  5. Chop the dried red chilies into ¼-inch pieces and combine with sesame oil. Slice ginger into thin strips, smash and mince the garlic clove, and chop the green onion into ½-inch pieces.
  6. Heat oil to 350°F and deep-fry the frozen chicken for 5 minutes until golden and crispy.
  7. In a wok over medium heat, sauté the chilies in sesame oil until sizzling. Add the garlic, ginger, and green onions, cooking until the onions begin to wilt.
  8. Pour in the prepared sauce, stirring until it bubbles. Add 1 tablespoon water and remove from heat.
  9. Add the fried chicken to the wok, tossing to coat each piece thoroughly in the sauce.
  10. Serve over steamed rice or with steamed broccoli for a complete meal.

Notes

For a spicier version, keep some of the seeds in the dried chilies or substitute the sesame oil with hot chili oil. If plum sauce isn't available, additional hoisin sauce works as a substitute. The quality of soy sauce significantly impacts the flavor, so use a good dark soy sauce if possible.
For a healthier alternative, bake the chicken at 425°F for 15-20 minutes instead of deep-frying. Gluten-free adaptations can include using rice flour instead of cornstarch and tamari instead of soy sauce.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to help restore some crispiness.