Oven Baked General Tso’s Chicken

Oven baked General Tso’s Chicken is as good as the take-out version and can be made in about a half hour.

This delicious meal idea features baked rather than fried chicken that is covered in a flavorful sauce with a mouthwater balance of sweet and spicy flavors.

Easy Oven Baked General Tso's Chicken.

Based on the popular restaurant version, the chicken recipe offers an irresistible combination of tender, crispy chicken thighs coated in the classic sauce.

My General Tso's sauce is sweet, savory, and slightly spicy thanks to the combination of red pepper flakes with hoisin sauce, honey and other ingredients.

Did you try my recipe for Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip?

That buffalo dip is full of flavor and is perfect for sharing with others as an appetizer idea for gatherings such as tailgates, parties, or potlucks. Both this recipe for oven baked chicken and that recipe for pressure cooker baked dip are delicious recipes feature chicken with a bit of spice.

To make this recipe you will need hoisin sauce. You can find a selection of hoisin sauce here.

Why we love this recipe for baked general tso chicken thighs.

I love that this recipe is baked and not fried. Oven baked chicken lets the flavors of the baked chicken come through without the added oil from frying. .

More reasons to like this recipe.

• This recipe can be made with really any part of the chicken if you are not a fan of the thighs .
• The spice level in this recipe can be adjusted as desired as some folks like this dish more spicy or hot than others.
• Baked General Tso's Chicken goes great with steamed rice or with your favorite stir-fried vegetables.
• This is an easy meal recipe that can be made in about a half hour.
• Customizing this recipe is as easy as stirring in a few nuts or adding a few veggies.
• This is a meal that most everyone can agree on.

Ingredients needed to make General Tso's Chicken .

The ingredients listed are basic to this recipe. You can easily adjust them as needed to your tastes.

• Chicken. Boneless and skinless thighs were used to make my recipe. You can however used breast if desired. Your chicken should be cut into bit sized pieces.
• Cornstarch. This helps the chicken get nice and crisp while baking.
• Salt and Pepper. This should be added to taste. It is also optional.
• Vegetable Oil Spray. This is used as a spray to help the chicken crispin while it bakes. You can easily use an alternative kind of oil spray.
• Soy Sauce. My sauce was made with a low-sodium soy sauce.
• Honey. Added for sweetness and texture.
• Brown Sugar. Also added for a sweet balance.
• Rice Vinegar. A standard ingredient used in recipes such as this one.
• Garlic. Use freshly minced garlic for optimal flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes. The amount that you use can be adjusted to your liking.
• Sesame Oil Also a standard ingredient used in recipes such as this one.
• Optional ingredients include sesame seeds and chopped green onions for serving.

Tips for making the best Baked General Tso’s Chicken

When preparing the chicken used in this recipe, it should be cut into bit sized pieces. That means it should be about a half inch to an inch in size for easy eating.

More helpful tips for you.

1. The sesame oil and the hoisin sauce are essential ingredients to the flavor of this recipe and should not be omitted or substituted for.
2. When selecting a baking pan, I like to use a rimmed pan for a recipe such as this one. A large baking dish can also be used, baking times can vary.
3. Nonstick spray can be used instead of the oil however, make sure that your nonstick spray is suitable for baking in a recipe such as this one.
4. Use a large and sturdy zip top bag, such as a two gallon, for coating your chicken.
5. If you do not have a large zip top bag, you can toss your chicken in a large bowl or cover the chicken in batches.
6. When placing your chicken pieces on the the baking pan, leave plenty of space between the pieces to allow them to bake evenly.

How to make Oven Baked General Tso’s Chicken.

Prep Time: 15 minutes .
Bake Time : 20-25 minutes .
Servings: 6 .

1. Start by preparing your baking sheet or dish for nonstick as needed. Also, preheat your oven to 400.
2. In a large zip top bag, combine together the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Give the bag a shake to mix the ingredients and then add the chicken pieces to the bag. Shake or rotate the bag to coat all of the chicken pieces with the other ingredients.
3. Transfer the coated chicken to your prepared baking sheet/dish, evenly spreading the chicken out. Then spray the chicken with nonstick spray or oil. Rotate the chicken and spray it again so the the top and the bottom are sprayed.
4. Bake the chicken in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and crispy. You can flip the chicken halfway through if needed.
5. Remove the baked chicken from the oven and let it cool enough to transfer to a large bowl for tossing in the sauce.
6. To make the sauce, in a saucepan on medium heat, add the remaining ingredients (soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil) and heat the ingredients using a whisk to mix until the sauce thickens up slightly. It will appear to be a bit glossy when done (about five to seven minutes or so).
7. Carefully pour half of the sauce over the chicken. Toss the chicken in the sauce and then repeat with the remaining sauce.
8. Transfer chicken back to your baking sheet/dish and spread it out evenly once again. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional five minutes to allow the sauce to adhere to the chicken.

Expert Tip👉 You can add broccoli, nuts, mini corn, or other ingredients to the bowl when tossing the baked chicken in the sauce. If you are adding a lot of ingredients you can double the amount of sauce that you make to cover everything add.

How to Store Leftover General Tso’s Chicken.

Once the chicken has fully cooled it should be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, this chicken should keep for up to a few days refrigerated.

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Print the recipe for this General Tso's Chicken Recipe

Oven Baked General Tso’s Chicken, a simple and delicious sweet and spicy meal recipe that can be made in about a half hour.

Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.