General Tso chicken is crisp fried chicken tossed in a sweet, spicy, and slightly tangy sauce built from soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and dried chillies. The classic version is deep fried, but a baked version gives a similar flavour with far less oil, using a light cornflour coating crisped in a hot oven instead of a fryer.
This recipe covers both methods, so you can choose the fried version for the crispest result or the baked version for a lighter midweek meal.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken thighs, diced | 500g |
| Cornflour, for coating | 100g |
| Soy sauce | 2 tablespoons |
| Rice vinegar | 2 tablespoons |
| Brown sugar | 2 tablespoons |
| Dried chillies, whole | 4 to 6 |
| Garlic and ginger, minced | 1 clove and a thumb-sized piece |
Fried method
- Toss the chicken in cornflour, then fry in batches at 170C for 5 to 6 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
- In a separate pan, fry the garlic, ginger, and dried chillies for 30 seconds, then add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar.
- Simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened, then toss the fried chicken through the sauce and serve straight away.
Baked method
- Toss the chicken in cornflour, then spread on a lined tray and spray lightly with oil.
- Bake at 200C for 20 to 25 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
- Make the sauce as in the fried method, then toss the baked chicken through it just before serving.
Fried vs baked compared
| Method | Texture | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fried | Very crisp coating | The classic result |
| Baked | Lightly crisp, less oily | A lighter midweek version |
FAQ
How spicy is General Tso chicken?
The dried chillies add mild background heat rather than a strong burn. Remove some or all of them for a milder version.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thigh?
Yes. Cut it slightly smaller than thigh meat, since it cooks faster and can dry out if left in the pan too long.
Why is my baked chicken not as crisp as fried?
This is expected, since baking uses far less oil. A light oil spray before baking and a hot oven both help close the gap.
What sides go with General Tso chicken?
Steamed rice and a simple stir fried green vegetable, such as pak choi or broccoli, both work well.
For another crisp chicken dish, try our salt and pepper chicken recipe, or compare the sauce style with our honey chilli chicken recipe.
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- Cornflour. For the crisp coating on both the fried and baked versions.
- Dried chillies. Adds mild background heat to the sauce.
