If you’re craving comfort food with a punch of sweet, spicy, and savory flavor, let me introduce you to General Tso’s Chicken Soup. Inspired by the iconic Chinese-American takeout favorite, this recipe transforms everything you love about General Tso’s into a hearty, slurpable bowl brimming with tender chicken, colorful veggies, silky noodles, and an irresistibly bold broth. It’s pure, cozy magic—perfect for those nights when you want something both exciting and soul-soothing!

General Tso’s Chicken Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Despite its wow factor, General Tso’s Chicken Soup is made with a lineup of everyday ingredients—each playing a key role to layer complex flavors and textures. With a handful of fresh produce, pantry sauces, and a couple of secrets for that signature glossy finish, you’ll be amazed by how easily everything comes together!

Chicken thighs or breasts: Choose thighs for extra tenderness, or breasts for a leaner bite—cut into bite-size pieces for quick cooking.
Cornstarch: This quick dusting creates a velvety coating and keeps the chicken super moist in the soup.
Salt and pepper: A basic seasoning step that awakens all the savory notes.
Vegetable oil: Neutral and perfect for searing without overpowering the flavors.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth as your aromatic base.
Garlic: Two cloves work wonders for that mellow, nutty background flavor.
Fresh ginger: A grated tablespoon gives the broth a bright, zesty kick.
Red bell pepper: Brings color, crunch, and a subtle sweetness.
Chicken broth and water: These make up the comforting, slurpable base of your soup.
Broccoli florets: Bright green, crisp-tender pops of veggie goodness in each bowl.
Cooked rice noodles or egg noodles: Stretch the soup into a satisfying meal—quick to cook and endlessly adaptable.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Delivers that umami backbone without making things too salty.
Rice vinegar: Bright acidity balances the sweetness and keeps the flavors lively.
Hoisin sauce: Adds that deep, slightly smoky sweetness that’s a must for General Tso’s anything.
Brown sugar or honey: Softens the spice and enhances the classic sticky-sweet vibe.
Tomato paste or ketchup: A surprising but essential boost for tang and color.
Chili paste (like sambal oelek): Dial up or down for your perfect level of heat.
Cornstarch slurry: Finishes the soup with a beautiful, restaurant-style shine.
Sliced green onions and sesame seeds (for garnish): A fresh, crunchy finish that makes the soup pop.

How to Make General Tso’s Chicken Soup

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Toss your chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper to give them that signature tenderness you expect from General Tso’s. Heat the vegetable oil in a big soup pot over medium heat, then add the chicken and sear until lightly golden on the outside. Don’t worry about cooking it through just yet—it’ll finish poaching later, becoming juicy and perfect. Remove the chicken to a plate for now.

Step 2: Build Your Aromatics

In the same pot (don’t wash away those golden bits!), toss in your diced onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until everything is fragrant and the onion begins to soften, about two minutes. The smell alone will let you know you’re on the right track! Add the sliced red bell pepper and let it cook for another 2–3 minutes for extra sweetness and color.

Step 3: Make the Soup Base

Pour in the chicken broth and water and give everything a good stir, scraping up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add the broccoli florets and bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer. The broccoli will stay vibrant and just crisp-tender—no soggy veggies here! This step sets the foundation for the entire General Tso’s Chicken Soup experience.

Step 4: Stir in the Signature Sauce

Now it’s time to build those signature sweet-spicy-savory notes! Add your soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar or honey, tomato paste (or ketchup), and chili paste to the pot. Stir well and let the flavors infuse for about 10 minutes, simmering gently. Taste at this stage and adjust the heat level by adding more or less chili paste, depending on your mood.

Step 5: Finish and Thicken

Return the chicken (and any juices it’s released) to the simmering pot. Gently stir in your cooked noodles, letting everything heat through and mingle together. In a small bowl, combine the remaining teaspoon of cornstarch with a bit of water to make a slurry, then trickle this into the soup. Give it all a stir, and watch as the broth becomes glossy and just the right amount of silky.

Step 6: Serve Hot and Garnish

Ladle your homemade General Tso’s Chicken Soup into big bowls, making sure everyone gets plenty of chicken, veggies, and noodles. Top with a handful of sliced green onions and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds for eye-catching flair.

How to Serve General Tso’s Chicken Soup

Garnishes

The simplest way to make your soup feel like a restaurant treat is with great garnishes. Green onions add a pop of color and freshness, while sesame seeds provide a little toasty crunch. For extra heat, keep a dish of chili oil or extra chili paste on the table.

Side Dishes

General Tso’s Chicken Soup is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it also plays well with classic sides. Steamed jasmine or sticky rice can help soak up the flavorful broth. For a lighter touch, try a simple Asian cucumber salad or some crispy spring rolls for dipping and dunking.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting or just want to level up dinnertime, serve the soup in colorful ramen bowls with matching chopsticks and deep soup spoons. For a deconstructed twist, assemble toppings like extra herbs, sliced chilies, or crunchy wonton strips and let everyone build their own dream bowl of General Tso’s Chicken Soup.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep the soup tasting its best, allow leftovers to cool completely before transferring them to airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making each bowl a little tastier!

Freezing

General Tso’s Chicken Soup freezes beautifully if you leave out the noodles (add those fresh when reheating). Portion cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of headspace. Freeze for up to three months—the bright vegetables and flavorful broth will come back to life with a gentle heat through.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the soup gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat until piping hot. If you’re adding fresh noodles back in, cook them separately and stir them in just before serving. Sprinkle on garnishes right before eating for maximum freshness.

FAQs

Can I use a rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken?

Absolutely! This is a fabulous way to save time. Just shred the cooked rotisserie chicken and add it after the broth and veggies have simmered. Let it heat through before adding the noodles and finishing the soup.

Is General Tso’s Chicken Soup gluten-free?

It can be! Swap the soy sauce for tamari and use gluten-free noodles to make the entire recipe gluten-free. Just always double-check the labels on your sauces.

Can I make this vegetarian?

You can create a veggie version by omitting the chicken, using firm tofu cubes, and using vegetable broth in place of chicken broth. The sweet-spicy sauce is just as delicious with plant-based swaps!

How spicy is General Tso’s Chicken Soup?

The heat level is totally up to you. By controlling the amount of chili paste, you can make the soup mild and kid-friendly or fiery enough for spice lovers.

What other vegetables work in this soup?

Feel free to get creative! Sliced mushrooms, snap peas, baby corn, or shredded carrots are all fantastic in General Tso’s Chicken Soup. Add heartier veggies earlier and delicate ones toward the end of simmering.

Final Thoughts

I can’t rave enough about how crowd-pleasing and rewarding a big pot of General Tso’s Chicken Soup can be. It’s an inventive yet familiar recipe that will easily become a family favorite. Dive in, have fun with the toppings, and enjoy every steamy, slurpy, flavor-packed bowl—you might never crave plain chicken soup again!