General Tso's Chicken with Spicy Sweet Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crispy chicken pieces tossed in a vibrant, sticky glaze of soy, hoisin, and chili, delivering a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. This chinese-american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs cornstarch, for frying vegetable oil, chopped scallions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Chinese-American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb chicken thigh chunks in 1/2 cup cornstarch until all pieces are evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 350°F; fry the chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  3. Step 3: In a separate large skillet, heat 1 tsp sesame oil over medium heat; add 1 tsp minced ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 chopped scallions, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp chili paste, and 1/4 cup water; pour into the skillet and simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Step 5: Add the fried chicken pieces to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sticky glaze.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with extra scallions if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does General Tso's Chicken with Spicy Sweet Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover General Tso's Chicken with Spicy Sweet Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornstarch from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in General Tso's Chicken with Spicy Sweet Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale General Tso's Chicken with Spicy Sweet Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with General Tso's Chicken with Spicy Sweet Glaze?

Chinese-American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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