Quick & Savory Tsos Chicken Recipe: A Homemade Delight

Crispy, golden chicken bursting with tangy tsao’s sauce captures the essence of bold Asian-inspired cuisine.

Savory aromas fill kitchens with irresistible anticipation of a delightful meal.

Spicy notes dance across tender meat, promising a culinary adventure that satisfies deep hunger.

Complex flavors blend seamlessly, creating a dish that speaks to comfort and excitement.

Restaurants worldwide have celebrated this remarkable recipe, making it a beloved favorite among food enthusiasts.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that will leave you craving more.

You won’t be able to resist making this incredible tsao’s chicken again and again.

Why You’ll Love Tsos Chicken At First Bite

• Craft Crispy Comfort: Transform basic chicken into a restaurant-quality dish with professional-grade frying techniques that deliver golden, crunchy exterior.
• Master Easy Asian Cuisine: Learn a simple yet authentic Chinese-inspired recipe that breaks down complex cooking methods into straightforward, achievable steps.
• Customize Your Flavor Profile: Adjust spice levels and sauce intensity by modifying red pepper flakes and ginger quantities to suit personal taste preferences.
• Create Restaurant-Style Meal at Home: Recreate a beloved takeout classic with fresh ingredients and control over cooking process, saving money and ensuring quality.

What Goes Into Tsos Chicken

• Chicken: Tender pieces of white meat that serve as the main protein in this classic Chinese-American dish.

• Eggs, Salt, Black Pepper: Create a flavorful and adhesive base for the flour coating.
• Flour: Provides a crispy and golden exterior for the chicken pieces.

• Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Hoisin Sauce, Brown Sugar: Combine to create a sweet and tangy flavor profile.
• Water, Corn Starch: Help to thicken and smooth out the sauce consistency.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for deep-frying the chicken to achieve a crispy texture.
• Garlic, Ginger, Red Pepper Flakes: Add depth and spicy warmth to the sauce.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Provide fresh flavor and crunchy texture as a final touch.

How To Make Tsos Chicken Step By Step

Step 1: Prepare Egg Wash

Whisk eggs in a wide bowl and season with salt and black pepper to create a flavorful coating for the chicken.

Step 2: Create Flour Dredging Station

Combine flour in a separate shallow dish, ensuring you’ll have an even coating for the chicken pieces.

Step 3: Coat Chicken Pieces

Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, then generously coat with seasoned flour, shaking off any excess for a perfect crispy exterior.

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

Warm vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok, bringing the temperature to 350°F for optimal frying conditions.

Step 5: Fry Chicken Pieces

Gently lower battered chicken into hot oil, frying in small batches to maintain crispiness and prevent overcrowding.

Step 6: Drain Fried Chicken

Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil, keeping the pieces crisp and light.

Step 7: Prepare Aromatic Base

• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Cook for 30 seconds to release intense flavors.

Step 8: Create Signature Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Hoisin sauce
• Brown sugar
• Water
• Corn starch

Blend until smooth and slightly thickened.

Step 9: Coat Chicken in Sauce

Add crispy chicken pieces to the sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coverage.

Step 10: Garnish and Finish

• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds

Add final touches for texture and visual appeal.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Plate immediately over steamed rice, serving while chicken remains crisp and sauce is deliciously warm.

Tips To Master Tsos Chicken

• Fry with Precision: Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain exact 350°F oil temperature for consistently crispy chicken pieces.
• Prevent Soggy Coating: Pat chicken dry before dredging to help flour adhere better and create a crunchier exterior.
• Sauce Balance Trick: Adjust sweet and tangy elements by tasting sauce before adding chicken, ensuring perfect flavor harmony.
• Quick Corn Starch Tip: Mix corn starch with cold water separately to prevent lumps when thickening the sauce smoothly.
• Meal Prep Hack: Store chicken and sauce separately to maintain crispiness, reheating just before serving for maximum texture.

Tasty Variations For Tsos Chicken

• Spicy Sriracha Infusion: Replace red pepper flakes with sriracha sauce, adding extra heat and tangy flavor to the chicken coating.
• Citrus Zest Boost: Mix orange zest and juice into the sauce for a bright, refreshing take on the classic recipe.
• Coconut Crunch Version: Incorporate shredded coconut into the flour mixture for a tropical, crispy texture and nutty undertone.
• Honey Ginger Glaze: Swap brown sugar with honey and increase ginger quantity for a sweeter, more aromatic sauce profile.

Great Sides For Tsos Chicken

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Riesling cuts through the rich, spicy flavors of Tso's chicken with its bright acidity and slight sweetness, balancing the dish's bold taste profile.
• Complement with Jasmine Rice: Soft, fragrant jasmine rice provides a neutral base that absorbs the tangy sauce while offering a delicate texture contrast to crispy chicken pieces.
• Match with Crisp Asian Beer: Light lagers like Tsingtao or Sapporo cleanse the palate between bites, neutralizing the sauce's heat and complementing the dish's complex flavors.
• Enhance with Pickled Vegetable Side: Quick-pickled cucumber or daikon radish adds a refreshing crunch and tangy notes that cut through the chicken's richness, creating a balanced dining experience.

Keep Tsos Chicken Fresh And Flavorful

• Transfer leftover Tsos chicken to an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days. Separate sauce from chicken to maintain crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Store for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention and quality.
• Restore crispiness by using an oven or air fryer at 375°F for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwave, which can make chicken soggy and lose its delightful texture.
• Keep sauce in a separate sealed container in the refrigerator. Add fresh sauce when reheating to revive the original vibrant flavors and prevent staleness.

Your Tsos Chicken FAQs Answered

• Why do I need to coat the chicken in eggs and flour?

The egg mixture helps the flour adhere to the chicken, creating a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture and provides a delicious crunchy texture.

• Can I adjust the spice level in the sauce?

Yes, you can control the heat by increasing or decreasing the amount of red pepper flakes. Start with a small amount and add more gradually to suit your taste preference.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces work perfectly. Thighs tend to be more flavorful and stay juicier during frying.

• How do I know the oil is at the right temperature for frying?

Use a cooking thermometer to ensure the oil is at 350°F.

Tsos Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy Chinese Tsao’s Chicken dances with fiery sweet-tangy sauce, blending bold flavors from traditional Hunan cuisine. Crunchy golden bites promise a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each perfectly glazed morsel.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

protein:

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

main sauce ingredients:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp corn starch
• 1/4 cup water

coating and frying:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

garnish and additional flavor:

• 3 green onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Whisk eggs in a wide bowl and season with salt and black pepper for chicken coating preparation.
2. Create a dredging station by combining flour in a separate shallow dish, ensuring even coating coverage.
3. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece first in egg mixture, then generously dust with seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok to 350°F, maintaining consistent temperature for crispy results.
5. Carefully lower battered chicken pieces into hot oil, frying in small batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure golden-brown crispiness.
6. Drain fried chicken on wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil, keeping pieces crisp and grease-free.
7. In a separate saucepan, sauté minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes over medium heat for 30 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
8. Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, water, and corn starch in the pan, whisking until smooth and slightly thickened.
9. Add crispy chicken pieces to sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coating.
10. Garnish with chopped green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added texture and visual appeal.
11. Serve immediately while chicken remains crisp and sauce is warm, preferably over steamed rice.

Notes

• Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better coating adhesion and smoother mixing.
• Use a digital thermometer to maintain precise oil temperature, preventing soggy or burnt chicken.
• Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels before coating to help seasoned flour stick more effectively.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to maintain crispy texture.
• Lower sodium option: Replace traditional soy sauce with low-sodium soy sauce or tamari without compromising flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 703
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 1023 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 132 mg