Copycat General Tso Chicken

The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.

General Tso Chicken is a take-out favorite. It’s everything comfort food should be, crispy, juicy, sweet, spicy, and savory.

You can make this meal for only $10.00!  It makes six servings which end up being about $1.67 per serving. Feeding your family for only $10 never tasted so good! 

We all love eating out, but it is not always possible or affordable to eat out. A few of our favorite copycat recipes that you can enjoy at home for a more affordable price include this Panda Express Orange Chicken, Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo, and these Nacho Fries (better than Taco Bell)!

This meal is kid-friendly and Mom-approved. We enjoy making this favorite take-out dish in the comfort of our own home and for a fraction of the cost. The chicken bites are crispy and pan-fried to perfection and then covered in a sweet and spicy sauce.

The sauce is thick with just the right amount of spice. If you love Orange Chicken, then you will definitely love this General Tso Chicken recipe!

Everyone knows making food at home is way better for you than eating out! Making General Tso Chicken at home is a healthy alternative to eating out. Plus, the amount of money you will save feeding your whole family at home instead of taking them out to eat is mind-blowing! 

Ingredients and Cost

RECIPE COST: $10.00

PRICE PER SERVING: $1.67

• 2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs – $5.90
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour – $0.15
• 1/2 cup cornstarch – $0.29
• 3 eggs – $0.30
• 3 cloves garlic – $0.22
• 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger – $0.22
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes – $0.08
• 2-4 cups Vegetable oil – $1.44
• 1 Tablespoon oil – $0.03
• 1/3 cup soy sauce – $0.21
• 3/4 cup chicken broth – $0.23
• 3 Tablespoons hoisin sauce – $0.75
• 3 Tablespoons brown sugar – $0.09
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons rice vinegar – $0.04
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil – $0.15

To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. 

Instructions

1. First, prep the chicken thighs by cutting them into 1-inch cubes. Coat the chicken pieces in egg and then flour mixture.
2. Next, heat oil in a deep pot. While the oil is heating, make the sauce. 
3. Cook the chicken until golden brown. Place cooked chicken on a paper towel-lined plate.
4. Finally, cook the sauce and then stir in the chicken to combine. Serve over rice. 

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Add a few more red pepper flakes if you like your dishes even spicier.
• You can use low-sodium soy sauce if sodium is an issue for you. 
• You can use cut-up boneless skinless chicken breasts, but the chicken won’t be as juicy. 

Storage Tips

Serve: You can keep the chicken at room temperature for up to 2 hours before you need to refrigerate it. 

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. 

Freeze: Freeze the cooked chicken and the sauce separately. Keep both in airtight containers or Ziploc bags for up to 2 months in the freezer. Reheat the chicken in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Defrost the sauce in the microwave on 50% power at 1-minute intervals, stirring between intervals. 

Cook’s Tools

• cutting board
• measuring cups
• liquid measuring cup
• measuring spoons
• Chef’s knife
• large deep pot
• pie plate
• mixing bowl
• mixing spoon

General Tso is a tricky word when you look at it because of the “Tso.” Do you pronounce the T or not? It is a commonly asked question. The correct way to pronounce the word is without the T. So, you actually pronounce it as “so” when you say “Tso!”

Get Kids Involved

Ages 2-3: Let your little one help mix the ingredients for the sauce. He/she will like sprinkling the corn starch into the mixture. 

Ages 4-5: Have your child help dip the chicken cubes into the egg and flour mixture. They will like getting their hands messy with this recipe!

Ages 6-8: Teaching proper stove-top safety, have your child make and cook the sauce. They can then stir in the cooked chicken. 

Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. 

Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Budget Tips

Stock up on chicken thighs when they are on sale at the grocery store. Store the chicken thighs in your freezer to easily defrost when needed. 

You can grate the fresh ginger and freeze it in ice cube trays. Then, place the cubes in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 6 months. 

More Copycat Recipes

• Chick-Fil-A Copycat Frosted Lemonade
• Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce
• Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
• Lofthouse Sugar Cookies
• Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo
• Panda Express Chow Mein
• Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake
• Instant Pot Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup
• Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat
• Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake
• Copycat Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup
• Nacho Fries-Better than Taco Bell

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General Tso Chicken Recipe

Recipe Cost 10.00

Serving Cost 1.67

Course main dish

Cuisine Chinese

General Tso Chicken is a take-out favorite. It’s everything comfort food should be, crispy, juicy, sweet, spicey, and savory.

Servings: 6 people

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Equipment

• cutting board
• measuring cups
• Liquid measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• chef's knife
• large deep pot
• pie plate
• mixing bowl
• mixing spoon

Ingredients

 

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CHICKEN:

• 2 ½ - 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 3 eggs beaten
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 ½ teaspoon fresh ginger minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Vegetable oil for frying about 2-4 cups depending on the size of the pot
• 1 Tablespoon oil for stir fry

SAUCE:

• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ¾ cup chicken broth
• 3 Tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 ½ Tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoon fresh ginger minced
• 1 ½ teaspoon sesame oil
• 3 Tablespoons cornstarch

FOR SERVING: (all optional)

• Rice
• Green onions sliced
• Sesame seeds

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

PREP CHICKEN:

• Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes.
• In a shallow bowl or pie plate, beat eggs.
• In another shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together flour and cornstarch.
• Coat chicken pieces in egg.
• Then coat chicken pieces with flour mixture.
• Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot over medium-high heat.
• While oil is heating, make the sauce.
• Line a large plate with paper towels and set it aside.

MIX SAUCE:

• Combine all sauce ingredients EXCEPT cornstarch in a small bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined.
• Gradually sprinkle in cornstarch and whisk until thoroughly combined.

COOK CHICKEN:

• Once the oil reaches 375 degrees F, cook chicken 8-10 pieces simultaneously, depending on the pan’s size, until golden brown.
• Remove and place on a paper towel-line plate to drain.

COOK SAUCE:

• After the chicken is all cooked, remove oil from the pan, and wipe down slightly.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil and heat.
• Add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
• Stir in sauce and simmer 2-3 minutes or until thickened.

TO FINISH:

• Add chicken into the sauce and stir to combine.
• Serve immediately over rice, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 722kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 86g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 477mg | Sodium: 1364mg | Potassium: 1148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 269IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 5mg

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