30 Minute General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Introduction

General Tso’s Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make takeout favorite that you can prepare in just 30 minutes at home. This version balances crispy chicken with a flavorful, tangy sauce and tender broccoli for a complete meal.

A white round plate holds a bed of white rice on the right and bottom sides, with crispy, dark brown glazed pieces of chicken scattered on top and slightly to the left, sprinkled with white sesame seeds. Underneath some chicken pieces, there are bright green roasted broccoli florets. A few thin green onion slices lay on top of the chicken in the middle. A pair of wooden chopsticks rest diagonally on the top right edge of the plate. The plate sits on a dark teal rectangular tray, set against a white marbled surface. A small round bowl with green onion slices and sesame seeds is placed in the bottom right corner near the tray. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • Black pepper and chili flakes, to taste
  • 1/4 cup flour or gluten-free flour
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter or extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • Sesame seeds and green onion, for serving
  • 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chili paste
  • 6 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.
  2. Step 2: On the baking sheet, combine the chicken cubes with garlic powder, black pepper, and chili flakes. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the chicken and toss again.
  3. Step 3: Arrange the coated chicken on one side of the baking sheet. Place the broccoli florets on the other side. Toss the broccoli with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter or olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  4. Step 4: Bake the chicken and broccoli for 10 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and broccoli is tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: While baking, prepare the sauce by mixing tamari or soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, chili paste, chopped garlic, ground ginger, and toasted sesame oil in a bowl or glass jar.
  6. Step 6: Remove the broccoli from the baking sheet. Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss to coat well. Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and glaze the chicken.
  7. Step 7: Serve the glazed chicken and broccoli topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

Tips & Variations

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat, or breasts for a leaner option.
  • Adjust the chili paste and chili flakes according to your heat preference.
  • For a gluten-free version, be sure to use gluten-free tamari and flour.
  • Add other veggies like bell peppers or snap peas for extra color and texture.

Storage

Store leftover General Tso’s Chicken and broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat to keep the chicken tender and the sauce flavorful.

How to Serve

A white round plate holds a bed of white steamed rice topped with dark green roasted broccoli pieces and crispy, dark golden brown fried chicken chunks covered in a shiny, sticky reddish-brown sauce. The chicken is sprinkled with white sesame seeds and garnished with thin green onion strips in the center. Light brown wooden chopsticks rest diagonally across the top right edge of the plate. The plate sits on a dark rectangular tray, and in the background, there is a small round white bowl filled with green onion strips and sesame seeds. The surface beneath is a white marbled texture with warm sunlight casting soft shadows. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, make sure it is thawed completely and patted dry before seasoning and baking.

Is this recipe spicy?

The level of spiciness depends on the amount of chili flakes and chili paste you add. You can reduce or omit these ingredients if you prefer a milder dish.

Print
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30 Minute General Tso’s Chicken Recipe


  • Author: Cleo
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This 30 Minute General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful take on the classic Chinese-American dish. Tender chicken pieces are baked with broccoli and coated in a tangy, spicy sauce made from tamari, hoisin, chili paste, garlic, and ginger. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe combines a crispy baked texture with bold flavors, topped with sesame seeds and green onions for an extra burst of aroma and crunch.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

  • 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Chili flakes, to taste
  • 1/4 cup flour or gluten-free flour
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter or extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • Salt, to taste

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chili paste
  • 6 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

To Garnish

  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onion, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450° F (230° C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Chicken and Broccoli: On the baking sheet, combine the cubed chicken with garlic powder, black pepper, and chili flakes. Add the flour and toss the chicken thoroughly to coat each piece. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the chicken and toss again to coat well. Arrange the chicken on one side of the baking sheet. On the other side, place the broccoli florets and toss them with the remaining melted butter or olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Bake Chicken and Broccoli: Bake the baking sheet in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and broccoli is tender-crisp.
  4. Make the Sauce: While the chicken and broccoli bake, combine the tamari or soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, chili paste, chopped garlic, ground ginger, and toasted sesame oil in a bowl or glass jar. Mix well to create the flavorful General Tso’s sauce.
  5. Coat Chicken with Sauce and Bake Again: Remove the broccoli from the baking sheet. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and toss to coat the pieces evenly. Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and caramelize on the chicken.
  6. Serve: Plate the sauced chicken alongside the roasted broccoli. Garnish generously with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. This dish pairs excellently with steamed rice for a complete meal.

Notes

  • You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference—thighs tend to be juicier.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour and ensure your soy sauce is tamari or gluten-free.
  • Adjust the amount of chili flakes and chili paste to control the heat level according to your taste.
  • Serve with steamed white or brown rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Keywords: General Tso’s Chicken, Baked General Tso’s, Quick Chinese Chicken, Gluten-Free General Tso’s, Broccoli Chicken Recipe

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