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General Tso chicken Calories
Sweet-savory lightly spicy battered fried chicken dish
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 serving (medium) of General Tso chicken (180 g) has 504 calories. That works out to 280 calories per 100 g. It contains 37.4 g of carbs, 26.1 g of protein, 28.1 g of fat and 2 g of fiber. Its 9.7 mg of B3 covers 61% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 58 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
General Tso chicken Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 serving (medium) · 180 g
504
KCAL / 180G
Carbs
37.4g
· 14% DV
Protein
26.1g
· 52% DV
Fat
28.1g
· 36% DV
Fiber
2g
· 7% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 30% · Protein 21% · Fat 49%
General Tso chicken nutrition facts table · 1 serving (medium) (180 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 504 kcal | |
| Total fat | 28.1 g | 36% |
| Saturated fat | 5.58 g | 28% |
| Trans fat | 0.14 g | |
| Sodium | 1116 mg | 49% |
| Total carbohydrate | 37.4 g | 14% |
| Fiber | 2 g | 7% |
| Protein | 26.1 g | 52% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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How Many Calories in 1 Serving of General Tso chicken?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 serving (medium) | 180 g | 504 kcal |
| 1 ounce (small) | 28 g | 78 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 35 g | 98 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 280 kcal |
| 3 piece (medium) | 105 g | 294 kcal |
| 5 piece (large) | 175 g | 490 kcal |
| 1 cup (medium) | 200 g | 560 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 280 g | 784 kcal |
Calculated from 280 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Tso chicken
What does General Tso chicken taste like?
General Tso chicken tastes sweet and savory, with a tangy edge and usually a mild kick of heat. Its fried coating adds crunch at first, while the sauce makes the chicken glossy and softens the crust as it sits.
Is General Tso chicken actually a Chinese dish?
General Tso chicken is best known as a Chinese-American restaurant dish, not a traditional dish commonly eaten in China. It is named after the Qing-era military leader Zuo Zongtang, but the connection between him and the recipe is uncertain.
What is General Tso chicken sauce made of?
General Tso chicken sauce commonly combines soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili, with a thickener to give it a glossy coating. Restaurant recipes vary, so the sauce may taste sweeter, sharper, or hotter from one place to another.
Why is General Tso chicken named after a general?
General Tso chicken takes its English name from Zuo Zongtang, a nineteenth-century Chinese military and political leader. The name does not mean the dish is a traditional recipe from his home region; its familiar restaurant form developed in the Chinese-American food scene.
How do you keep General Tso chicken crispy?
To keep General Tso chicken crispier, toss the fried chicken with sauce just before serving rather than letting it sit in the sauce. For leftovers, reheat the chicken in an oven or air fryer instead of the microwave, and add fresh sauce afterward.
Can you make General Tso chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make General Tso chicken in an air fryer by coating the chicken lightly with oil and cooking it in a single layer until crisp and cooked through. Toss it with the sauce only after cooking; crowded pieces are more likely to steam than brown.
Is General Tso chicken the same as orange chicken?
No, General Tso chicken and orange chicken are different dishes. General Tso sauce is typically savory, tangy, sweet, and sometimes chili-hot, while orange chicken has a more distinct citrus flavor from orange zest, juice, or flavoring.
Can you freeze General Tso chicken?
Yes, General Tso chicken can be frozen, but the battered coating will usually lose some crispness after thawing. Freeze it in an airtight container and reheat it in an oven or air fryer; if possible, freeze the sauce separately for a better texture.
What should you serve with General Tso chicken?
Serve General Tso chicken with steamed rice to balance its rich, sweet-savory sauce. Steamed greens, broccoli, or another simple vegetable also work well, while noodles make the meal more filling and keep the sauce from going to waste.
Why is General Tso chicken so sweet?
General Tso chicken is often sweet because sugar is a major part of the thick, glossy sauce and balances its vinegar, soy, and chili flavors. Restaurant versions vary; when cooking at home, reduce the sugar and adjust the vinegar or chili to taste.
General Tso chicken Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B3
9.72mg · 61% DV
B6
0.58mg · 34% DV
Biotin
9µg · 30% DV
B5
1.3mg · 26% DV
Minerals
Selenium
29µg · 53% DV
Sodium
1116mg · 49% DV
Phosphorus
279mg · 40% DV
Copper
0.14mg · 16% DV
Potassium ⭐
396mg · 12% DV
General Tso chicken Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off General Tso chicken
To burn the 504 calories in 1 serving (medium) (180 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is General Tso chicken?
General Tso chicken is a Chinese American restaurant dish: battered chicken pieces are fried, then coated in a glossy, sweet-savoury sauce with a gentle chilli kick. It is best known as a takeout favourite in the United States, usually served hot with steamed rice and sometimes vegetables. The coating starts crisp but softens as it absorbs the sauce, whose sweetness balances savoury notes and mild heat. It provides protein, though the fried coating and sauce make it a more energy-dense choice; a 100 g portion has 280 calories. For a lighter plate, pair a smaller serving with plenty of vegetables, or ask for the sauce on the side.
How Nutritious Is General Tso chicken?
Nutrient density
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is General Tso chicken Processed?
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does General Tso chicken Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is General Tso chicken Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
General Tso chicken Fat Profile
SATURATED
5.58g
MONOUNSATURATED
10.98g
POLYUNSATURATED
6.3g
Omega 6:3 ratio 64:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (64:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.