General Tso chicken: Calories, Macros, 22 Vitamins & 11 Minerals (USDA Per 100g)
A popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy, bite-sized pieces of chicken tossed in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce, often with a hint of ginger and garlic. --- RECIPE --- Servings: 4 Prep Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast, cut into 1-inch pieces - 1 egg, beaten - 1/4 cup cornstarch - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour - Vegetable oil for frying - For the sauce: - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 2 tbsp rice vinegar - 2 tbsp sugar - 1 tbsp hoisin sauce - 1 tbsp cornstarch - 1/2 cup chicken broth - 1 tsp sesame oil - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 inch ginger, grated - 2-3 dried red chilies (optional, for heat) - Green onions, sliced, for garnish Instructions: 1. In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with beaten egg. In another bowl, mix cornstarch and flour. Dredge chicken pieces in the cornstarch-flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. 2. Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). 3. Fry chicken in batches for 4-6 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack. 4. To make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, chicken broth, and sesame oil. 5. In a clean skillet or wok, heat 1 tbsp of the frying oil (or fresh oil) over medium heat. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and dried chilies (if using). Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. 6. Pour in the prepared sauce, stirring constantly until it thickens and becomes glossy. 7. Add the fried chicken to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. 8. Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions.
Per 100g reference serving, General Tso chicken provides 295 kcal of energy, 12.9g protein (18% of calories), 24g total carbohydrates (33% of calories, including 0.9g dietary fiber and 11.6g sugars), and 16.4g total fat (49% of calories).
Vitamins Profile in General Tso chicken (Per 100g)
Track how General Tso chicken contributes to your daily fat-soluble (Vitamins A, D, E, K), water-soluble B-complex, Vitamin C, Choline, and carotenoid antioxidant targets in Wise Eating: AI Food Tracker.
| Vitamin / Bioactive | Amount per 100g | % Daily Value (FDA DV) |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | 1.6 mg | 1.8% DV |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.2 µg | 1% DV |
| Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0.22 µg | 9.2% DV |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 11 µg | 1.2% DV |
| Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) | 1.21 mg | 8.1% DV |
| Vitamin K (Phylloquinone) | 38.2 µg | 31.8% DV |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.027 mg | 2.2% DV |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.118 mg | 9.1% DV |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 2.85 mg | 17.8% DV |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.202 mg | 11.9% DV |
| Total Folate (Vitamin B9) | 11 µg | 2.8% DV |
| Folate (Dietary Folate Equivalents) | 15 µg | 3.8% DV |
| Natural Food Folate | 6 µg | 1.5% DV |
| Choline | 41.5 mg | 7.5% DV |
| Preformed Retinol | 7 µg | 0.8% DV |
| Beta-Carotene | 37 µg | 1% DV |
| Alpha-Carotene | 2 µg | 0.2% DV |
| Beta-Cryptoxanthin | 9 µg | 1.5% DV |
| Lutein + Zeaxanthin | 99 µg | 1% DV |
| Lycopene | 20 µg | 0.2% DV |
Minerals & Electrolytes in General Tso chicken (Per 100g)
Electrolyte ratios (potassium-to-sodium, calcium-to-magnesium) and trace minerals (iron, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese) determine cellular hydration, oxygen transport, and thyroid function.
| Mineral / Electrolyte | Amount per 100g | % Daily Value (FDA DV) |
|---|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | 1.16 mg | 6.4% DV |
| Calcium (Ca) | 12 mg | 0.9% DV |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 18 mg | 4.3% DV |
| Potassium (K) | 201 mg | 4.3% DV |
| Zinc (Zn) | 1.3 mg | 11.8% DV |
| Selenium (Se) | 14.4 µg | 26.2% DV |
| Phosphorus (P) | 127 mg | 10.2% DV |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.046 mg | 5.1% DV |
| Sodium (Na) | 435 mg | 18.9% DV |
Fatty Acids, Omega-3s & Sterols (Per 100g)
| Lipid / Fatty Acid | Amount per 100g | % Reference Target |
|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) | 0.005 g | 1% DV |
| Omega-3 EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) | 0.005 g | 1% DV |
| Omega-3 ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid) | 0.845 g | 52.8% DV |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega-6 PUFA) | 6.54 g | 46.7% DV |
| Monounsaturated Fat (MUFA) | 3.88 g | 12.9% DV |
| Polyunsaturated Fat (PUFA) | 7.5 g | 37.5% DV |
| Saturated Fat (SFA) | 2.76 g | 13.8% DV |
| Dietary Cholesterol | 53 mg | 17.7% DV |
Essential Amino Acids & BCAAs (Per 100g)
| Amino Acid | Amount per 100g | % Daily Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Trace / Not significant per 100g serving | ||
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Frequently Asked Questions
100 grams of General Tso chicken contains 295 calories (kcal), 12.9g of protein, 24g of carbohydrates (0.9g fiber, 11.6g total sugars), and 16.4g of total fat according to the USDA Standard Reference dataset in Wise Eating.
General Tso chicken has an estimated food pH of 6 and a Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) score of 6.17 mEq/100g, classifying it as Acid-Forming (Positive PRAL).
Allergen tags for General Tso chicken: Eggs, Soybeans, Cereals containing gluten. In Wise Eating's WHO-aligned pediatric feeding database, the minimum age guideline is 8+ months with age-appropriate preparation.
Download Wise Eating: AI Food Tracker (App Store ID 6751406823) to log General Tso chicken by voice, barcode, photo, or search, and automatically calculate your daily 22 vitamins, 11 minerals, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids.