Description
Easy General Tso’s Chicken is a delicious dish featuring crispy, tender chicken thighs coated in a glossy, tangy, and balanced sweet-spicy sauce. Made with simple plant-based ingredients, this recipe is approachable for cooks of all levels and perfect for a quick, flavorful weeknight meal. Customizable heat options and versatile variations make it a family favorite that can be enjoyed repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3/4 cup cornstarch (natural)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Sauce
- 3 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (natural)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar (or maple syrup (natural) / date syrup (natural) as alternative)
- 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent dissolved in 2 tbsp water
Finishing & Garnish
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Toss them in cornstarch (natural) until evenly coated. Let the coated chicken rest for a few minutes to absorb the coating well, which helps achieve a crispy texture when fried.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a wok or deep pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden and crisp on all sides. Remove the fried chicken and drain on paper towels to keep them crunchy.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), soy sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, sugar (or preferred sweetener), minced garlic, minced ginger, chili flakes, and the dissolved natural gelling agent. The sauce should be a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
- Cook the Sauce: In the same pan used for frying, carefully pour in the sauce mixture and heat it over medium flame. Stir continuously while the sauce thickens and becomes glossy due to the natural gelling agent.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the crispy chicken back into the pan, tossing to coat every piece evenly with the luscious sauce. Drizzle sesame oil over the top for extra aroma and flavor. Garnish immediately with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if using before serving.
Notes
- Fry chicken in batches to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- Adjust the natural gelling agent quantity to achieve your preferred sauce thickness.
- Use freshly minced garlic and ginger for the best flavor and aroma.
- Serve immediately after coating to enjoy the contrast between crispy chicken and smooth sauce.
- Add chili flakes gradually to control spiciness without overpowering the dish.
- Optional vegetable boost: add steamed broccoli or snap peas during the last minute of sauce cooking for extra crunch and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: General Tso's Chicken, crispy chicken, sweet and spicy sauce, plant-based, quick dinner, Asian cuisine, gluten free
