Sautéed Chicken with General Tso’s Inspired Sweet-Spicy Sauce
Tender chicken breast pieces tossed in a balanced sweet and spicy sauce inspired by the idea of a 'general' flavor that appeals broadly. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breast, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp chili paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water)
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast into 1-inch bite-sized pieces, then toss with 1/4 cup cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: 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.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp chili paste, and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water to form a slurry, then whisk into the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Cook for an additional 1 minute to heat through.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with 1/4 cup sliced green onions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with General Tso’s Inspired Sweet-Spicy Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Sautéed 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 cornstarch from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed 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 Sautéed Chicken with General Tso’s Inspired Sweet-Spicy Sauce 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 Sautéed 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe was a hit with my family! The sauce had that perfect sweet-spicy kick without being overwhelming, and the chicken stayed juicy.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Made it for date night and the sauce was dangerously addictive. Leftover rice soaked it up perfectly.
- ★★★★☆
The sauce was slightly bland for my taste—next time I'll double the ginger. Still, the chicken cooked beautifully and my kids asked for seconds.
