You love my baked General Tso’s chicken, so obviously, I had to make a faster one. This one pan General Tso’s chicken is sticky, saucy, and on the table in about 30 minutes.
It’s actually one pan! Searing the chicken first, then adding the sauce in the same pan, means better flavor and fewer dishes!
30 Minutes! You read that right! You get restaurant-quality chicken in just 30 minutes!
Perfect Sauce! Sweet, savory, and a little tangy, with just enough heat. And it perfectly clings to the chicken.
Cornstarch: Shake off any excess before browning the chicken.
Oil: Cooking the chicken in batches helps to ensure even cooking. Add more oil as needed throughout the cooking process.
Red Pepper Flakes: Add more or less to customize your spice level!
Rice Vinegar: Rice wine vinegar also works well in this recipe.
Cornstarch: Adding cornstarch to the sauce helps thicken it and coat the chicken.
This one-pan General Tso’s chicken dish will be a lifesaver! No oven needed! You can serve it over rice or noodles, or keep it easy with fried rice or broccoli on the side!
Coat the Chicken in an Egg: Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Crack an egg on top of the chicken and massage it in with your hand to coat the chicken.
Coat with Cornstarch: Transfer the chicken to a ziplock bag, then add the cornstarch, seal the bag, and toss to coat each chicken piece well. Add cornstarch if needed.
Cook: In a large skillet or wok over medium heat, add the vegetable oil. Working in batches, add the coated chicken and cook for 7-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
General Tso’s Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper.
Simmer the Sauce: Returning to the skillet or wok, add the sauce and bring it to a simmer while stirring. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to help slightly thicken the sauce. Stir occasionally.
Combine the Chicken and Sauce: Add the chicken and toss to coat, then cook for 2-3 minutes and enjoy over rice! Garnish one pan of General Tso’s chicken with sliced green onions and additional red pepper flakes, if desired.
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into one-inch cubes1 large egg1 cup cornstarch⅓ cup vegetable oil more if needed
¾ cup hoisin sauce¼ cup soy sauce¾ cup brown sugar2 cloves minced garlic¼ cup rice vinegar2 teaspoons sesame oil½ teaspoon ground ginger1 teaspoon crushed red pepper more for garnishsliced green onions optional for garnish