General Tso chicken
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
General Tso's chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring bite-sized, deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a glossy, sweet, and mildly spicy sauce. The texture is a satisfying contrast of crispy coating and tender meat, with a flavor profile that balances tangy, savory, and sweet notes. Nutritionally, a 100g serving provides a moderate protein boost but is notably high in carbohydrates and fats from the frying and sugary glaze.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its addictive sweet-spicy-tangy flavor profile and the satisfying crunch of the fried chicken, making it a comforting and flavorful meal. It's a staple of Chinese-American cuisine, often served as a centerpiece dish that pairs well with steamed rice.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish is high in calories, refined carbs, and fats from deep-frying, which can contribute to blood sugar spikes and is less ideal for those monitoring calorie or fat intake. The sauce is typically very high in sodium. To counteract, consider sharing a portion, pairing it with a large side of steamed vegetables (like broccoli or bok choy) to add fiber and volume, and choosing brown rice over white to slow carb absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Offers a decent amount of protein (12.9g per 100g) for muscle maintenance
- Contains small amounts of minerals like iron and zinc from the chicken
- The sauce can include capsaicin from chili peppers, which may have metabolism-boosting properties
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Despite its name, the dish is not widely known in mainland China and was popularized in the U.S. by Chinese immigrants, with its origins often traced to a Hunanese chef in New York City in the 1970s.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 45.1 g |
| Energy | 295 kcal |
| Protein | 12.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 16.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 24.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.90 g |
| Total Sugars | 11.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 12.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 127 mg |
| Potassium, K | 201 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 435 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 14.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.12 mg |
| Niacin | 2.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.20 mg |
| Folate, total | 11.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 5.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 15.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 41.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.22 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 11.0 ug |
| Retinol | 7.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 37.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 2.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 9.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 20.0 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 99.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 38.2 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.8 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.9 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.68 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 7.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 6.5 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.84 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 53.0 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is General Tso's chicken authentic Chinese food?
It's primarily a Chinese-American invention, adapted from Hunanese cooking styles for Western palates. It's not a traditional dish found in mainstream Chinese cuisine.
How can I make a healthier version at home?
You can bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying, use less sugar in the sauce, and add plenty of vegetables like bell peppers and snow peas to boost fiber and nutrients.
What's the main difference between General Tso's and Orange Chicken?
General Tso's is typically spicier and uses a darker, soy-based sauce with dried chilies, while Orange Chicken is sweeter and features a prominent citrus (orange) flavor in its glaze.