General Tso’s Chicken – Easy Dinner Recipes Everyone Will Crave
Let’s face it, some nights all we want is takeout—but without the cost or wait. That’s where this homemade General Tso’s Chicken comes in. It checks every box: crispy, saucy, sweet, and just enough heat to wake up your taste buds. And the best part? You can make it faster than your delivery app driver can find parking.
I’ve made this dish for date nights, for picky kids (who suspiciously love it), and even when I’ve had a ‘nothing’s defrosted’ moment. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll land a regular spot in your dinner rotation. It feels like a little win after a long day.
It fits right into that magical zone of easy dinner recipes. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just dinner for two, it brings the wow with very little fuss. Chicken recipes dinner lovers will appreciate this one, especially when you’re out of ideas and want something that feels a little more special than just “chicken again.”
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (or more to taste)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
- Steamed rice, for serving
Instructions
- Toss the chicken pieces in cornstarch until coated. Shake off any excess.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden and crispy on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add garlic, ginger, and red chili flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and chicken broth.
- Pour the sauce into the pan and bring to a simmer. Let it reduce slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce. Let it cook for another 2–3 minutes until everything is glossy and thick.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.