One Pan General Tso’s Chicken

    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.

    Plate of one pan general Tso's chicken on a bed of rice.

    Why This Recipe Belongs In Your Rotation

    • 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.

    One Pan General Tso’s Chicken Ingredients

    Overhead shot of labeled general Tso's chicken ingredients.
    • 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.
    Overhead shot of labeled sauce ingredients.
    • 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.

    How to Make General Tso’s 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!

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    Cubed chicken in a bowl with a cracked egg.
    Egg washed chicken in a ziplock bag covered in cornstarch.
    Cornstarch covered chicken cooking in a skillet on the stove.
    Sauce ingredients whisked together in a bowl.
    One pan general Tso's sauce added to the skillet.
    Cooked chicken added to the sauce in the skillet.
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    One Pan General Tso’s Chicken

    Sticky, saucy General Tso’s chicken made in one pan and ready in about 30 minutes! Big takeout flavor with barely any cleanup!
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Asian American
    Keyword 30 minute meal, general tso’s chicken recipe, one pan chicken, one pan general tso’s chicken recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4 Servings
    Calories 861kcal
    Author Alyssa Rivers

    Ingredients

    Chicken

    • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into one-inch cubes
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 cup cornstarch
    • ⅓ cup vegetable oil more if needed

    Sauce

    • ¾ cup hoisin sauce
    • ¼ cup soy sauce
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • 2 cloves minced garlic
    • ¼ cup rice vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper more for garnish
    • sliced green onions optional for garnish

    Instructions

    • Cut 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Crack 1 large egg on top of the chicken and massage it in with your hand to coat the chicken.
    • Transfer the chicken to a ziplock bag. Add 1 cup cornstarch, seal the bag, and toss to coat each chicken piece well. Add cornstarch if needed.
    • In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add ⅓ cup 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.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup hoisin sauce, ¼ cup soy sauce, ¾ cup brown sugar, 2 cloves minced garlic, ¼ cup rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, and 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper.
    • 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. Add the chicken and toss to coat.
    • Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes and enjoy over rice! Garnish with sliced green onions and additional red pepper flakes, if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 861kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 188mg | Sodium: 1947mg | Potassium: 1022mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 279IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 3mg
    One pan general Tso's chicken in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

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