If you're craving a crowd-pleaser with a perfect balance of crispy texture and bold flavors, this Crispy General Tso's Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. It brings that beloved sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce right to your kitchen.

The image shows a black pan filled with many small pieces of golden brown chicken bites that are covered in a sticky, shiny reddish-brown sauce. The chicken pieces are uneven in shape and look crispy under the sauce. Small green onion pieces are scattered on top, adding a pop of bright green color. Tiny sesame seeds are also sprinkled over the chicken, adding texture and contrast. The pan handle is visible on a white marbled surface background photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy General Tso's Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy General Tso's Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy General Tso's Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this General Tso’s Chicken more times than I can count because it never fails to impress everyone at the table — including myself! The crispy coating on juicy chicken thighs paired with a homemade sauce is just irresistible.

Crunchy and Tender: The cornstarch batter crisps up beautifully while keeping the chicken juicy inside.
Homemade Sauce: The sauce combines soy, hoisin, and rice vinegar to create authentic, balanced flavors from scratch.
Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this recipe takes just 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinners.
Customizable Heat Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference — mild or fiery!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start chopping and mixing, a quick tip: get fresh ginger and good-quality chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness. Here’s a look at the main players that make this dish shine.

Flat lay of fresh raw chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces on a simple white ceramic plate, a small mound of fine corn starch on a white ceramic dish, a few cloves of whole garlic, a small knob of fresh ginger root with a piece sliced, a small white bowl filled with bright red chili flakes, a tiny pile of white sesame seeds on a white ceramic spoon rest, a small white bowl containing clear cold water, a small white bowl filled with dark low sodium soy sauce, a small white bowl with pale golden rice vinegar, a small white bowl with thick dark brown hoisin sauce, a small heap of white granulated sugar on a white ceramic plate, and a small white bowl of extra light olive oil, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken thighs: I prefer thighs over breast because they stay tender and flavorful after frying and saucing.
Corn starch: This creates a light yet crisp coating that locks in moisture for perfect bite-after-bite crunch.
Extra light olive oil: It’s perfect for frying – neutral and with a high smoke point to crisp the chicken nicely.
Fresh ginger: Adds the essential warm, zesty kick to the sauce and aromatics.
Garlic: Infuses the sauce with deep flavor, brightening every bite.
Red pepper flakes: The subtle heat that gives the dish its signature slight spicy edge.
Sesame seeds: Optional, but they add a lovely nutty note and visual appeal on top.
Cold water: Used to dissolve the starch and blend the sauce ingredients smoothly.
Low sodium soy sauce: Provides umami depth without overpowering saltiness.
Rice vinegar: Balances the sweetness with gentle acidity, brightening the sauce.
Hoisin sauce: Delivers sweet, tangy richness that’s indispensable in General Tso’s sauce.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and thickens the sauce for that perfect glaze.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Crispy General Tso's Chicken Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to match your taste and dietary needs. Whether you want to turn up the heat, lighten it up, or cater to a gluten-free lifestyle, there’s room to customize without losing that classic tangy-sweet goodness.

Gluten-Free Variation: I swapped regular soy sauce for tamari to make this recipe gluten-free, and it still delivered all the familiar flavors with no compromise on crispiness.
Heat Level: If you love a spicy kick, I like to double the red pepper flakes or even add a splash of chili garlic sauce into the sauce for an extra layer of warmth.
Protein Swap: While chicken thighs give a juicy, flavorful bite, I sometimes use chicken breast for a leaner option. Just keep an eye on cooking time to avoid drying out the meat.
Oil Choices: Although extra light olive oil works great here, I’ve also used vegetable or canola oil when I want a more neutral flavor and higher smoke point.
Sauce Adjustments: Depending on your taste, feel free to balance the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar levels to find your perfect sweet-tangy harmony. If the sauce thickens too fast, I usually just add a splash of water to loosen it up.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy General Tso's Chicken Recipe

A close-up view of a bowl showing two layers: the bottom layer is white rice with soft, separate grains, while the top layer is made of many bite-sized pieces of crispy fried chicken covered in a shiny, sticky orange sauce. The chicken pieces are sprinkled with small white sesame seeds and chopped green onions, adding pops of green on top. The bowl is white and placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken for Crunch

Start by trimming your chicken thighs and cutting them into bite-sized 1-inch pieces. Toss the chicken in cornstarch in batches, making sure each piece is evenly coated with a light dusting. Don’t forget to tap off the excess cornstarch — this helps achieve that signature crispy crust without clumping. Lay the coated chicken on a platter and set it aside while you prepare the sauce.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Flavorful Sauce

In a bowl, combine cold water, low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and cornstarch. Whisk until the cornstarch completely dissolves and the sauce is smooth. This sauce strikes the balance of sweet, tangy, and savory that makes General Tso’s chicken so addictive — plus the cornstarch helps it thicken beautifully during cooking.

Step 3: Fry Chicken Batches Until Golden and Crisp

Heat your skillet over medium-high and add the extra light olive oil. Fry the chicken in 2 to 3 batches, leaving enough room so pieces don’t crowd and steam. Cook each batch for about 4 to 5 minutes, flipping to get that perfect golden-brown crust on all sides. When cooked through, transfer the chicken to a bowl and add more oil if needed before the next batch. Leave about a tablespoon of oil in the pan at the end to sauté the aromatics.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics to Build Aroma and Depth

Add freshly minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes directly to the hot oil remaining in the pan. Sauté for about 30 seconds — just until fragrant but be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn. This step layers in the essential flavors you’ll taste in every bite.

Step 5: Simmer the Sauce for a Luscious Glaze

Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet with the aromatics and stir constantly as it heats. Bring it to a gentle simmer and cook for 1 full minute to let the vinegar mellow and the sauce thicken slightly. This also blends the flavors beautifully. Give it a quick taste and adjust with a bit more soy sauce or rice vinegar if you want it saltier or tangier.

Step 6: Toss Chicken in the Sauce and Serve

Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss gently to coat every crispy piece in the glossy sauce. Heat everything together for another minute so the chicken warms back up and absorbs the sauce flavors. Then transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like a little extra texture and visual flair. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice to soak up every delicious bite.

Top Tip

Mastering the Crispy General Tso's Chicken Recipe is all about the little details that make your chicken perfectly crispy and your sauce bursting with flavor. These tips come from countless attempts in my own kitchen, so you can skip the trial and error and get straight to enjoying this delicious dish.

Perfect Crispiness: Make sure each piece of chicken is evenly coated with cornstarch and tap off the excess thoroughly; too much cornstarch can cause clumps and sogginess instead of a light, crispy crust.
Batch Cooking: Cook the chicken in multiple small batches rather than overcrowding the pan. This ensures even browning and that the chicken stays crispy instead of steaming.
Oil Management: Keep at least 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan after frying so the aromatics and sauce can cook up beautifully and the sauce won’t stick or burn.
Sauce Adjustment: Taste the sauce after simmering—it’s easy to tweak with more soy sauce for saltiness or rice vinegar if you want a bit more tang.

How to Serve Crispy General Tso's Chicken Recipe

The image shows two close-up bowls side by side on a white marbled surface. The left bowl is clear and filled with a dark brown liquid sauce that has light beige small chopped pieces floating in it. The right bowl is white and filled with raw light pink pieces of meat covered in a clear liquid. Both bowls are round, and the textures show a shiny surface of liquid with visible pieces inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Simple garnishes like a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds add a lovely nuttiness and a subtle crunch that complements the dish. You can also add thinly sliced green onions or fresh cilantro for a fresh, bright pop of color and flavor. If you like a bit more heat, a pinch of additional red pepper flakes right before serving adds an extra kick.

Side Dishes

This Crispy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice to soak up all that luscious sauce. For some greens, try quickly sautéed bok choy, stir-fried snap peas, or a simple cucumber salad for a refreshing crunch. If you want to keep things classic, some steamed broccoli or a side of fried rice works beautifully too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken and sauce will keep well for up to 3 days. Before storing, let the dish cool to room temperature to avoid condensation that can make the chicken soggy.

Freezing

You can freeze leftover General Tso’s Chicken for up to 2 months. Use a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. For the best texture, freeze the chicken and sauce together, as the sauce helps retain moisture. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This helps keep that signature crispiness a bit better than the microwave. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water to loosen it up. You can also reheat in the microwave, but be aware the chicken may lose some crispness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breast, but keep in mind that chicken thighs stay juicier and more flavorful. If you use breast, be careful not to overcook to avoid dryness.

How do I make this recipe gluten-free?

Simply substitute the soy sauce with tamari or another gluten-free soy sauce alternative. Make sure all other ingredients, like hoisin sauce, are gluten-free as well.

Why is my batter not crispy?

If your chicken isn’t crispy, it might be because the cornstarch coating was too thick, or you cooked too many pieces at once causing steaming. Make sure to coat lightly and cook in small batches over medium-high heat.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce mix ahead and store it in the fridge. Just give it a good whisk before adding it to the skillet to ensure the cornstarch hasn't settled at the bottom.

Final Thoughts

This Crispy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe has quickly become a family favorite, and I hope it will be in your kitchen too. The balance of sweet, savory, and a touch of heat makes it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions alike. With these tips and easy storage ideas, you can enjoy that delicious, crispy chicken anytime you crave. Happy cooking and even happier eating!