General Tso's Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Scallions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A bold, tangy Chinese stir-fry featuring crispy chicken bites in a spicy-sweet sauce finished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions. This chinese-inspired chinese ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.3 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces and toss with 1/2 cup cornstarch until each piece is evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and crisp; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 1 tbsp finely grated ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp dried red chili flakes; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 3 tbsp dark brown sugar, and 1/3 cup water; stir and bring to a simmer.
  5. Step 5: Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water to create slurry, then pour into the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Return the fried chicken pieces to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced scallions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does General Tso's Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Scallions 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 Toasted Sesame and Scallions?

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 Toasted Sesame and Scallions?

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 Toasted Sesame and Scallions 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 Toasted Sesame and Scallions?

Chinese chinese 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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