Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken with Crispy Broccoli

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

A popular American-Chinese dish featuring crispy chicken bites tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce with crunchy broccoli florets. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces and toss with 1/2 cup cornstarch until fully coated. Let rest 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and fry, turning occasionally, for 6-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the skillet, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: In a bowl, whisk 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp chili flakes, and 1/3 cup water.
  6. Step 6: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  7. Step 7: Stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water), cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the broccoli.
  8. Step 8: Return the fried chicken to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat with sauce. Cook for an additional 1 minute to heat through before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken with Crispy Broccoli 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 Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken with Crispy Broccoli?

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 thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken with Crispy Broccoli?

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 Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken with Crispy Broccoli 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 Stir-Fried General Tso’s Chicken with Crispy Broccoli?

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

Related recipes