Quick Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fast and flavorful take on the classic General Tso’s chicken, with a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce coating crispy chicken bites. This chinese-inspired stir fry ready in about 30 minutes pairs cornstarch, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 430 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb cut chicken thighs in 1/2 cup cornstarch until each piece is evenly coated. Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Step 2: Add the chicken pieces to the hot oil and sauté for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1/4 cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes. Bring sauce to a simmer.
  5. Step 5: Whisk in the 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tsp sesame seeds before serving immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Quick Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken?

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 Quick Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken?

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 Quick Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken 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 Quick Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken?

Chinese stir fry 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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