General Tso’s Chicken with Ramen: Quick, Easy & Better Than Takeout!
Who doesn’t love the crispy, tangy-sweet goodness of General Tso’s Chicken?
Imagine whipping up this crave-worthy dish in your own kitchen in just 20 minutes – or even better, with the Crock-Pot for a super easy, hands-off meal!
With just a few pantry staples, you can make this homemade version that’s so much better than takeout.
Toss it with ramen noodles for the ultimate comfort meal.
Perfect for busy nights, and guaranteed to satisfy your craving for something bold, delicious, and irresistibly saucy!
For General Tso’s Chicken:
- Chicken – Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes. It’s perfect for a crispy texture and absorbing the sauce.
- Cornstarch – Coat the chicken in cornstarch for that perfect crispy crust when frying.
- Vegetable Oil – For frying the chicken, it ensures a golden, crispy texture.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic adds depth to the sauce.
- Ginger – Ground ginger gives the dish that signature warm, aromatic flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes – For a little heat, you can adjust this depending on your spice preference.
- Sesame Seeds – For a finishing touch and some crunch (optional).
- Green Onions – For garnish and a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich sauce.
For General Tso’s Sauce:
- Hoisin Sauce – Adds a sweet and savory flavor base to the sauce.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce – Gives the sauce the right salty flavor without overpowering the sweetness.
- Brown Sugar – To balance out the savory flavors with sweetness.
- Lemon juice – Adds a tangy kick to the sauce for balance.
- Sesame Oil – For a rich, nutty flavor in the sauce.
General Tso's Chicken with Ramen: Easy Stove-Top or Crock-Pot Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 4 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
- 1 cup hoisin sauce
- 4 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder)
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
- Sesame seeds and/or scallions for garnish
- 2 packets of ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packet)
Instructions
Stove-Top Method:
- Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, lemon juice, sesame oil, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper (if using).
- Once all the chicken is browned, return it to the skillet and pour the sauce over it. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Meanwhile, cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Toss the cooked noodles with the chicken and sauce mixture. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions before serving.
Crock-Pot Method:
- Coat the chicken in cornstarch, ensuring it’s fully covered.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the chicken on all sides, then transfer to the Crock-Pot.
- While browning the chicken, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, lemon juice, sesame oil, ginger, and crushed red pepper (if desired).
- Once all the chicken is browned and in the Crock-Pot, pour the sauce over the chicken. Stir to coat evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, letting the flavors develop and the chicken become tender.
- Cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions, drain, and toss them with the chicken and sauce mixture. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions before serving.
Nutrition
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great choice if you prefer dark meat. They’re juicy and flavorful, and they’ll work perfectly in this recipe. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and follow the same cooking steps.
- Is there a substitute for hoisin sauce?
If you don’t have hoisin sauce, you can easily substitute it with a mixture of soy sauce and a bit of honey or peanut butter. It will give you a similar sweet-savory profile to the sauce!
- Can I use instant ramen noodles instead of fresh ones?
Yes! Instant ramen works great in this dish. Just cook the noodles according to the package directions, discard the seasoning, and add them straight to the chicken and sauce for a quick, satisfying meal.
- How can I adjust the spice level?
If you prefer a milder dish, simply reduce or skip the red pepper flakes. For extra heat, feel free to increase the amount to suit your spice tolerance!
- Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the sauce in advance and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, just heat it up and toss with the chicken for a super quick meal.
