General Tso's Chicken | 左宗棠雞
- Daniel
- Jan 24, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: May 21
I always wondered why isn't Panda Express in Singapore. What puzzled me more is why doesn't Panda Express serve General Tso's chicken; they decided to do so only recently. That's not the most bizarre thing.

What's even more unreal is the origin story of this dish. The dish has been associated with Zuo Zongtang (a Qing dynasty military leader from Hunan Province), even thought, this dish has no recorded connection to Zuo nor is the dish known in Zuo's home province, Hunan.
The dish is found neither in Changsha (capital of Hunan Province), nor in Xiangyin County, where Zuo was born. Moreover, Zuo's descendants, who are still living in Xiangyin County, said that they had never heard of this dish.

You can read all about this various claims of the history here. Let them debate all they want while we devour this fantastic dish. The chicken is battered and deep fried twice, then coated in a soy sauce base sauce. You can save the remaining sauce for another dish (which I am gonna post in a couple of days).

Ingredients:
(Serve 4)
Base Sauce:
Soy Sauce, 125g
Green Onions (White Parts) Coarsely Sliced, A Handful
Ginger Coarsely Minced, 1"
Garlic Crashed with Peels, 2 Cloves
Kecap Manis Homemade, 1/2 TBSP
ShaoXing / HuaTiao / Sherry Wine, 60g
Granulated Sugar, 20g
Hoisin Sauce, 1 TBSP
Oyster Sauce, 40g
Chicken Stock Homemade Preferably Unsalted, 300g
Chicken:
Chicken Thigh Boneless Coarsely Diced, 2 Preferably With Skin On
Sea Salt, Pinch
White Pepper, Pinch
Mushroom Powder, Pinch
Garlic Powder, 1/2 TBSP
ShaoXing / HuaTiao / Sherry Wine, 2 TBSP
Egg, 1
Baking Soda, 1 TSP
General Tso's Sauce:
Granulated Sugar, 300g
Apple Cider Vinegar, 130g
Sriracha / Hot Sauce, 1.5 TBSP Adjust To Preference
General Tso's Chicken:
Corn Starch, 45g
Rapeseed / Sunflower / Canola / Peanut Oil, 2 TBSP + More For Frying and Cooking
Garlic Finely Minced, 3 Cloves
Green Onions (Green Parts) Coarsely Sliced, A Handful
Slurry, 1 TBSP Potato Starch + 2 TBSP Water
Sea Salt, Pinch
White Pepper, Pinch
Toasted Sesame Oil, 1 TBSP
Sesame Seeds, For Garnishing
Equipment:
Dutch Oven
Cast Iron Skillet / Pan
Directions:
Please visit my "How To Make Chicken Stock" page for the recipe.
Please visit my "How To Make Kecap Manis" page for the recipe.
Prepare the Base Sauce
Mix all base sauce ingredients in a large bowl.
Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Marinate the Chicken
Combine chicken with the marinade ingredients until well coated.
Set the chicken skin aside.
Cover and chill in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours.
Make the General Tso’s Sauce
Strain the base sauce into a clean bowl and discard the solids.
Add the remaining sauce ingredients and mix until well combined.
Measure out 355g of the sauce for this recipe.
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container and keep it chilled for future use.
Coat and Fry the Chicken
Add cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of oil to the marinated chicken.
Mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
Heat 3 to 4 inches of oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
Use a wooden chopstick to check the oil: if bubbles form, it’s ready.
Gently drop chicken into the oil and fry until lightly golden.
Remove and drain on a wire rack or paper-lined plate.
Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
Fry the Chicken Skin
Coat the reserved chicken skin with any leftover batter.
Fry until golden and crispy.
Set aside to cool slightly, then coarsely slice.
Double-Fry the Chicken
Increase the heat to medium-high.
Fry the chicken a second time until deep golden brown.
Remove and drain on a wire rack or paper-lined plate.
Finish in the Sauce
In a skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil.
Sauté garlic and green onions until aromatic.
Add the 355g of prepared General Tso’s sauce and bring to a simmer.
Stir in the slurry (potato starch + water) to thicken the sauce.
Toss in the fried chicken and coat well in the sauce.
Simmer until the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Remove from heat.
Garnish and Serve
Drizzle with toasted sesame oil.
Garnish with crispy chicken skin, more green onions, and sesame seeds.
Serve immediately.

Chickenlicious...

Please give this a try...
Very helpful post! Anyone looking to start their investment journey should first open Demat account, and your guide makes the process easy to understand. With everything going digital, it's quick and hassle-free now. Choosing a trusted broker and completing KYC online saves time and effort. This kind of information is perfect for beginners. Thanks for sharing such clear and practical advice!
Absolutely love General Tso’s Chicken—it’s the perfect combo of sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of heat! 🍗🔥 I’ve tried making it at home a few times, but there’s something about the crispy coating and rich sauce from a good takeout spot that’s hard to beat. Thanks for sharing this recipe (or review)! Can’t wait to give it another shot now with your tips. 😋 Rotax 912 for sell
Planning a successful corporate event in Hyderabad requires precision, creativity, and local expertise. Corporate Event Planners in Hyderabad offer end-to-end solutions—from venue selection and theme conceptualization to logistics and vendor management. Hyderabad’s vibrant culture, modern infrastructure, and wide array of premium venues make it a perfect backdrop for conferences, product launches, and team-building retreats. Skilled planners understand the nuances of corporate branding and audience engagement, ensuring every detail reflects your company’s vision. Whether it's a high-level executive summit or a lively corporate celebration, professional event planners in Hyderabad help turn your business objectives into memorable experiences.
천천히 흐르는 부드러운 터치, 따뜻한 손길이 온몸을 감싸며 나른한 이완을 선사합니다. 깊고 짜릿한 만족을 원한다면, 은밀한 공간에서의 출장마사지를 경험하세요.