Pan-Seared Chicken with General Tso’s Inspired Sweet-Spicy Sauce

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

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts glazed with a balanced sweet and spicy sauce reminiscent of General Tso’s flavors, served over steamed rice. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless chicken breasts, soy sauce, hoisin sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 Chinese cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) and season lightly with salt. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes. Cook for 2 minutes until sauce is warm.
  3. Step 3: Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour into the skillet and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the sauce over them and simmer for 1 minute to glaze. Serve each breast over 1 cup steamed white rice and garnish with 2 sliced scallions.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with General Tso’s Inspired Sweet-Spicy Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with General Tso’s Inspired Sweet-Spicy Sauce?

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 boneless chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with General Tso’s Inspired Sweet-Spicy Sauce?

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 Pan-Seared Chicken with General Tso’s Inspired Sweet-Spicy Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with General Tso’s Inspired Sweet-Spicy Sauce?

Chinese 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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