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Crispy Better Than Takeout General Tso Chicken Recipe Easy and Perfect at Home

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A quick and easy homemade General Tso Chicken recipe featuring crispy double-coated chicken pieces tossed in a balanced sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce. Perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (60g) cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (enough to fill pan 1-2 inches deep)
  • ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup (60ml) rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, finely grated
  • 1–2 teaspoons red chili flakes or sriracha
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breasts into roughly 1 ½-inch bite-sized pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until smooth.
  4. Dip chicken pieces into eggs, then dredge in dry mixture, pressing lightly to coat. Repeat egg dip and flour coating once more for double coating.
  5. Pour vegetable oil into skillet to a depth of about 1 ½ inches and heat to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Fry chicken in batches for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). Remove and drain on paper towels or wire rack.
  7. While frying, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  8. Mix cornstarch with water and slowly whisk into sauce. Cook until thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Adjust sweetness or heat as needed.
  9. Toss crispy chicken in warm sauce until well coated.
  10. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best crispiness. Double-coating the chicken ensures extra crunch. Drain chicken on a wire rack to prevent sogginess. Toss chicken gently in sauce to keep crust intact. For gluten-free, swap flour with gluten-free blend and soy sauce with tamari. Air-frying is a lighter alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: General Tso Chicken, crispy chicken, homemade Chinese, easy dinner, quick recipe, double-coated chicken, sweet and spicy sauce

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crispy-better-than-takeout-general-tso-chicken-recipe-easy-and-perfect-at-home/