This General Tso chicken sandwich is your favorite takeout order turned into the ultimate crispy chicken sandwich. Buttermilk-soaked chicken gets a cornstarch and flour coating, fries up extra crispy, then gets dunked in a sweet, savory and spicy General Tso sauce. Piled onto a toasted bun with cold, crunchy slaw, this crispy General Tso chicken sandwich is pure magic.

Love sticky, saucy chicken? Try my Sticky Honey Soy Chicken for an easy weeknight dinner.

Why You’ll Love This General Tso Chicken Sandwich

Extra crispy chicken thanks to cornstarch in the dredge.
Sweet, savory and spicy homemade General Tso sauce.
Cold, creamy slaw for the perfect crunch.
Better than takeout and so fun to make.

Ingredients for a General Tso Chicken Sandwich

The Crispy Chicken

Chicken breasts pounded even, buttermilk, cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper and oil for frying.

The General Tso Sauce

Soy sauce, hoisin, sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, fresh ginger, chili paste and a cornstarch slurry.

The Slaw

Shredded cabbage and carrot mix, Duke’s Mayonnaise, rice vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.

To Build

Soft sandwich buns toasted with Duke’s Mayonnaise, sliced green onion and sesame seeds.

Swap note: For a lighter sandwich, air fry the coated chicken at 400°F for 12 to 14 minutes, spraying with oil. Any high-quality mayo works if you do not have Duke’s.

How to Make a General Tso Chicken Sandwich

Step 1: Soak the chicken

Soak the chicken in buttermilk for 15 to 20 minutes while you prep everything else.

Step 2: Dredge and fry

Dredge the chicken in the cornstarch, flour, salt and pepper, pressing so it sticks. Fry in 350°F oil for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping once, until deep golden and crispy. Drain on a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the sauce

Whisk the soy sauce, hoisin, sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger and chili paste. Warm it in a pan, stir in the cornstarch slurry and let it thicken.

Step 4: Glaze the chicken

Dunk the chicken in the General Tso sauce until fully glazed.

Step 5: Make the slaw

Toss the cabbage mix with the mayo, rice vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper and chill so it stays cold and crunchy.

Step 6: Build the sandwich

Spread mayo on the cut sides of the buns and toast until golden. Stack the glazed chicken, green onion, sesame seeds and cold slaw, and serve right away.

Carly’s Expert Tips

Double dredge for an extra crunchy coating.
Keep the oil at 350°F. Too cool and the chicken gets greasy; too hot and it burns.
Glaze right before serving so the coating stays crispy.
Use a wire rack, not paper towels, to keep the bottom crisp.

Make It Your Own

Chicken thighs: Use boneless thighs for extra juicy chicken.
Spicier: Add more chili paste or sriracha.
Rice bowl: Serve the glazed chicken over rice with the slaw.
Sliders: Cut the chicken into smaller pieces for slider buns.

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep: Make the sauce and slaw up to 1 day ahead. Soak the chicken in buttermilk up to 8 hours ahead, then dredge and fry right before serving.

What to Serve With a General Tso Chicken Sandwich

Serve with fries, a cucumber salad, edamame or my Spicy Shrimp Peanut Noodles for a takeout-style night.

Storing and Reheating

This sandwich is best fresh. Store extra sauce in the fridge for up to 1 week and slaw for up to 2 days.

Re-crisp leftover chicken in the air fryer at 375°F for 4 to 5 minutes before glazing.

What People Ask About General Tso Chicken Sandwich

How do you make General Tso chicken crispy?

A buttermilk soak and a cornstarch and flour dredge, fried at 350°F, give the crispiest coating.

Can I air fry General Tso chicken?

Yes. Air fry at 400°F for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway.

Is General Tso sauce spicy?

It is mildly spicy from the chili paste. Adjust to taste.

Can I make the sauce ahead?

Yes. It keeps in the fridge for up to a week.