Name: General Tso Chicken Chow Mein
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 6 cloves garlic, grated; 2 tsp chicken bouillon powder; 2 tbsp cooking oil; General Tso Sauce; 4 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp sesame oil; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tbsp hoisin sauce; 2 tsp sugar; 4 tsp chili oil; Chow Mein; 600 g chow mein noodles; 3–4 tbsp cooking oil, divided; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 2 shallots, diced; 1 onion, thinly sliced; 1 bell pepper, sliced; 2 cups broccoli florets; Sesame seeds, for garnish; Sliced green onions, for garnish

If you love takeout-style noodles, this General Tso Chicken Chow Mein needs to go on your dinner list. It’s loaded with tender chicken thighs, crispy-tender vegetables, chewy chow mein noodles, and a sweet, savory, spicy sauce that coats everything perfectly.

The chicken gets marinated with garlic, soy sauce, and chicken bouillon before being cooked until browned. Then everything comes together in one pan with broccoli, peppers, onions, and plenty of garlic. The sauce is what really brings it all together — it’s sweet, tangy, salty, and has just enough heat from the chili oil.

This is one of those dinners that feels like ordering takeout, except you get a huge pan of it and can load it up with all your favorite vegetables.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy homemade takeout-style dinner
Ready in about 40 minutes
Packed with chicken and vegetables
Sweet, savory, spicy General Tso sauce
Great for feeding the whole family
Easy to customize with your favorite vegetables

Ingredients

Chicken

500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, thinly sliced
2 tbsp soy sauce
6 cloves garlic, grated
2 tsp chicken bouillon powder
2 tbsp cooking oil

General Tso Sauce

4 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tsp sugar
4 tsp chili oil

Chow Mein

600 g chow mein noodles
3–4 tbsp cooking oil, divided
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, diced
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper, sliced
2 cups broccoli florets
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Sliced green onions, for garnish

How to Make General Tso Chicken Chow Mein

Add the sliced chicken thighs to a bowl with the soy sauce, grated garlic, chicken bouillon powder, and 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Toss well to coat the chicken and set aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and chili oil. Set the sauce aside.
Cook the chow mein noodles according to the package directions. Drain well and set aside.
Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat and add a little cooking oil. Add the marinated chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Add another splash of oil to the same pan. Add the shallots, sliced onion, broccoli, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3–5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with the chow mein noodles.
Pour the General Tso sauce over everything and toss well so the noodles, chicken, and vegetables are evenly coated.
Continue cooking for another 1–2 minutes, tossing frequently, until everything is hot and the sauce has thickened slightly around the noodles.
Remove from the heat and top with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Don’t overcook the vegetables. I like keeping the broccoli and peppers slightly crisp so you get some texture against the soft noodles.

Use chicken thighs for extra flavor. Chicken breast will work if that’s what you have, but boneless chicken thighs stay juicy and have more flavor.

Adjust the heat. The chili oil is where most of the heat comes from, so you can easily reduce it for a milder version or add more if you like things spicy.

Don’t skip the garlic. There is a lot of garlic in this recipe, and that’s exactly what I want. It gives the chicken and noodles so much flavor.

Make it your own. Mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, snap peas, or bean sprouts would all be great additions.

What to Serve With Chow Mein

Honestly, this is filling enough to serve on its own because you’ve already got noodles, chicken, and vegetables all in one dish. If you’re making a bigger takeout-style dinner, you could serve it with spring rolls, dumplings, or a simple cucumber salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

Yes. Thinly sliced chicken breast works well in this recipe. Just be careful not to overcook it, since chicken breast is leaner than thighs.

Can I use a different type of noodle?

Absolutely. Lo mein noodles, yakisoba noodles, or even spaghetti can work in a pinch. Chow mein noodles give you the closest texture to the version in this recipe.

Is General Tso chicken spicy?

It can be. This recipe uses chili oil, so it has a noticeable kick, but you can easily adjust the amount to your preference.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet with a small splash of water to loosen the noodles and sauce.

Can I add more vegetables?

Definitely. This is a great clean-out-the-fridge recipe. Try adding mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, snap peas, or baby corn.

Recipe Details

Servings: 5–6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: Approximately 650–700 per serving
Protein: Approximately 35–40 g per serving

Nutrition is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific noodles, sauces, oil, and portion sizes used.

Final Thoughts

There is something about a big bowl of saucy noodles that just hits the spot, and this General Tso Chicken Chow Mein is exactly that kind of dinner. It’s packed with flavor, comes together in one pan, and is easy to adjust depending on what you have in the fridge.

If you’re craving takeout but want to make dinner at home instead, this one is definitely worth trying.