Baked General Tso’s Chicken (Better Than Takeout!)
My oven-baked General Tso’s chicken is hand-breaded, and the sauce is made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen! No rice vinegar or hoisin sauce here. My husband, Tyler, and I think it’s even better than takeout. It’s sweet, savory, and a little spicy. We love enjoying this chicken over a bowl of brown rice any night of the week. It really is that easy to whip up. I hope this recipe gives you another weeknight favorite that you can make time and time again!
This post may contain affiliate links of items I know and love. Read our disclosure policy for more information. I NEVER use AI (artificial intelligence) to create content for Plum Branch Home. Recipes, blog posts, photos, videos, podcasts, social media content: everything is made from scratch by me, Molly LaFontaine. After developing my recipes, they’re tested 2x by my husband, Tyler, and I before publishing. What you see from Plum Branch Home is real. It’s made for a reason, tested, and loved!
General Tso’s chicken is a dish that never gets old! It’s so savory and balanced with the soy sauce, fresh aromatics like ginger and garlic, and a little honey for sweetness. The fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds are optional toppings, but they take this dish over the top!
Inspiration Behind My Baked General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
General Tso’s has been one of my favorite Chinese-American dishes with chicken since I was little. The first time my mom made it, it was for New Year’s Eve or the Super Bowl. It’s been too long to remember which one, haha!
With just one bite and I was hooked on the delicious savory sauce covering crispy chicken. It had all the best flavors of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame. After that, I always looked forward to General Tso’s night!
Fast forward to my mid-twenties, and I’m still loving this chicken. So, I wanted to develop a recipe that was simple enough to whip up any night of the week with common ingredients found in most of our kitchens.
I didn’t want to go too fancy with different ingredients like hoisin sauce, sesame oil, or rice vinegar. Instead, I wanted to stick with a basic soy sauce, fresh garlic, ginger, and white distilled vinegar. I added sesame seeds as a topping, but if you don’t have them on hand, no worries. You can just leave them off.
I hope you love this recipe as much as my husband, Tyler, and I do! Tyler had never had General Tso’s chicken until I developed this recipe. He had no idea what to expect but was blown away by the flavors. Now he requests it over a bowl of rice throughout the week!
What is General Tso’s Chicken?
General Tso’s is a Chinese-American dish made of fried chicken that’s covered in a sweet, savory, and spicy sauce. The balance of flavors mixed with the crispy chicken makes it a very popular takeout dish across the USA.
Why We Love This Recipe and Think You Might Too!
- Made of Common Ingredients: Instead of using ingredients that may be hard to find, I’ve developed this recipe to use common ones you probably have in your home already.
- Baked Instead of Fried: The chicken is baked in the oven instead of fried for ease.
- Better for You: The ingredients are all wholesome, making this a better-for-you option for supper.
- Will Satisfy That Takeout Craving: No need for takeout, this recipe will satisfy that craving and save you money!
- Simple to Make: The steps are simple to follow, so even beginners can make it!
- Easy to Prep Ahead: It’s such an easy recipe to make ahead and freeze. Making it easy to get out of the freezer and reheat when you’re running low on time. It’ll taste so good, no one will know!
My Tips for Making Crispy Oven-Baked General Tso’s Chicken
- Make sure you pack the breadcrumbs onto each piece of chicken so it’s fully coated.
- When baking the chicken, don’t turn them or your breading may fall off.
- Make sure the sauce is still warm, if not hot, so the chicken stays crunchy. Cold sauce will make the breading mushy.
- Serve right away for the best flavor and texture!
Ingredients You’ll Need (with notes and substitutions)
Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for measurements.
What You’ll Need For the Oven-Baked Fried Chicken
- large boneless, skinless chicken breast: or you can use two small chicken breasts
- all-purpose flour: I like to get organic, unbleached but you can use any all-purpose
- breadcrumbs: I use homemade sourdough breadcrumbs but you can use any
- milk: I use whole milk but you can use any, buttermilk works great too
- sea salt: this is a wholesome salt option
- ground black pepper: you can also use freshly ground if you desire
What You’ll Need for the General Tso’s Sauce
- fresh garlic cloves: this adds the best fresh flavor, I don’t recommend paste
- fresh ginger: this adds the best fresh flavor, I don’t recommend paste
- water: this brings the sauce together
- soy sauce: I like to use organic
- distilled white vinegar: I like to use organic
- raw honey: I don’t recommend substituting, it really makes the sauce
- red pepper flakes: this doesn’t make it spicy but instead adds flavor
- garlic powder: this adds more garlicky depth
- cornstarch slurry: this is just cornstarch and water, you can also you flour – just double the amount
Optional Toppings
- sesame seeds: these add the perfect crunch and flavor!
- green onions: little slices of these add the perfect freshness!
Helpful Kitchen Tools for this Recipe
This section contains Amazon affiliate links to items I use and love for this recipe.
- dredging bowls (I love these!)
- medium saucepan
- whisk
- microplane (amazing for zesting)
- unbleached parchment paper
- large baking sheet
- mixing bowl (for tossing chicken in sauce)
How to Make Baked General Tso’s Chicken
Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for the full written recipe.
NOTE: You can double this recipe as many times as you’d like.
How to Make the Oven-Baked Fried Chicken
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Slice chicken breast into small bite sized pieces about 1-2 inches in size. You should get a good amount of them. Set aside.
In a small bowl combine flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix to combine and set aside.
In a second bowl, whisk together milk, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper. Set aside.
In a third bowl, add breadcrumbs, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper into another small bowl. Mix to combine. Set aside.
Place bowls of chicken, flour, milk, breadcrumbs, and sheet pan in a line, in that order, so everything is set up.
Dredge each piece of chicken by dipping it in the flour mixture, shaking excess off. Then dip it into the wet mixture ensuring all sides are coated. Let excess drip off. Finally, dip it in the breadcrumbs ensuring it is completely coated. Place breaded piece of chicken on the sheet pan.
Repeat until all pieces are breaded. Make sure they aren’t touching on the pan.
Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, until fully baked and crunchy. No need to flip while baking!
How to Make the General Tso’s Sauce
While chicken cooks, grate or finely chop garlic cloves and fresh ginger so they’re minced into a small saucepan.
Add water, soy sauce, white vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder to the pan. Stir to combine.
Heat sauce over medium heat on the stovetop. Stirring occasionally until it begins to simmer.
Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl until no clumps are left. Then once sauce is simmering, add cornstarch slurry to thicken.
Whisk for 1-2 minutes just until it begins to simmer again. Don’t let it get to a rolling boil. Once thick, take off heat and set aside until chicken is cooked.
Toss the Chicken, Top, and Enjoy!
Optional but recommended: add sesame seeds to a dry pan (don’t add any oil) and toast on medium heat for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
Once chicken is cooked, add to a heat-safe mixing bowl along with sauce and toasted sesame seeds. Toss until all pieces are fully coated.
Sprinkle with fresh green onions diced finely, if desired, and enjoy! Best served with rice.
Making Ahead General Tso’s Chicken
If you’d like to make this recipe ahead and store it in the freezer for quick meals in the future, it’s super simple. Here’s how to make General Tso’s ahead:
- Bread and bake the chicken
- Make the general tso’s sauce
- Let both cool completely
- Store in separate freezer-safe, oven-safe containers, preferrably glass.
- When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat both in the oven straight from frozen. (IMPORTANT: Be sure to place the containers in a cold oven then preheat or the glass will break!)
- Warm at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until hot.
- Take out of oven, toss chicken in sauce, and enjoy!
My Favorite Way to Serve General Tso’s Chicken
My husband and I’s absolute favorite way to enjoy General Tso’s chicken is over freshly made brown rice on the stovetop. Then topped with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions. It’s a delicious supper! I highly recommend trying it!
Best Side Dishes to Serve with General Tso’s Chicken
You can serve General Tso’s chicken with many different sides, but here are a few of our favorites:
- Stovetop brown rice (our favorite!)
- Cucumber and Onion Salad (no sugar added!)
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Mashed Potatoes From Scratch
- Hashbrown Casserole From Scratch
Storing & Freezing Leftovers
In the Fridge: Store in a glass, airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
In the Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container, preferably glass, for up to 3 months in the freezer. Reheat straight from frozen, starting in a cold oven.
The Best Way to Reheat Baked General Tso’s Chicken
I always reheat our leftover General Tso’s chicken in a 400 degrees Fahrenheit preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until warm. It doesn’t mess with the flavor or texture!
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s sweet, savory, and a little spicy but not too much. It’s got a little kick. The sauce is so balanced and fresh with a soy sauce base.
Rice goes very well with General Tso’s chicken, but you can also serve it with mashed potatoes or mac and cheese if desired.
Sure! Just skip the breading, but I would season it with salt and pepper before baking.
It’s usually fried.
More Asian-Inspired Chicken Recipes To Try
If you’re looking for more Asian main dish recipes, try a few of these:
- Teriyaki Chicken Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwiches)
- Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry
- Black Pepper Chicken Stir-fry
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Recipe
Baked General Tso’s Chicken (Better Than Takeout!)
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast (or 2 small)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (I use homemade sourdough breadcrumbs)
- 1 cup milk (I like to use whole milk)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
For the Sauce
- 1 large fresh garlic cloves (or 2 small)
- 1/2 tsp fresh ginger root
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (I like to use organic)
- 1 Tbsp distilled white vinegar (I like to use organic)
- 2 1/2 Tbsp raw honey
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (salt-free)
- cornstarch slurry: 1 Tbsp cornstarch + 1 Tbsp water
Optional – Toppings
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp fresh green onions
Instructions
- NOTE: You can double this recipe as many times as you'd like.
Bread and Bake the Chicken
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice chicken breast into small bite sized pieces about 1-2 inches in size. You should get a good amount of them. Set aside.
- In a small bowl combine flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix to combine and set aside.
- In a second bowl, whisk together milk, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper. Set aside.
- In a third bowl, add breadcrumbs, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper into another small bowl. Mix to combine. Set aside.
- Place bowls of chicken, flour, milk, breadcrumbs, and sheet pan in a line, in that order, so everything is set up.
- Dredge each piece of chicken by dipping it in the flour mixture, shaking excess off. Then dip it into the wet mixture ensuring all sides are coated. Let excess drip off. Finally, dip it in the breadcrumbs ensuring it is completely coated. Place breaded piece of chicken on the sheet pan.
- Repeat until all pieces are breaded. Make sure they aren’t touching on the pan.
- Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, until fully baked and crunchy. No need to flip while baking!
Make the General Tso’s Sauce
- While chicken cooks, grate or finely chop garlic cloves and fresh ginger so they’re minced into a small saucepan.
- Add water, soy sauce, white vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder to the pan. Stir to combine.
- Heat sauce over medium heat on the stovetop. Stirring occasionally until it begins to simmer.
- Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl until no clumps are left. Then once sauce is simmering, add cornstarch slurry to thicken.
- Whisk for 1-2 minutes just until it begins to simmer again. Don’t let it get to a rolling boil. Once thick, take off heat and set aside until chicken is cooked.
Coat the Chicken and Enjoy
- Optional but recommended: add sesame seeds to a dry pan (don’t add any oil) and toast on medium heat for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Once chicken is cooked, add to a heat-safe mixing bowl along with sauce and toasted sesame seeds. Toss until all pieces are fully coated.
- Sprinkle with fresh green onions diced finely, if desired, and enjoy! Best served with rice.