General Tso's Chicken Calories
1300 calories per serving
Asian
General Tso's Chicken is one of the most popular American-Chinese restaurant dishes — and one of the most calorie-dense. A full restaurant order (typically served with white rice) can clock in at 1,100–1,500 calories, largely due to the deep-fried battered chicken and sugar-heavy sauce. The high sodium content (often exceeding 2,000 mg) and refined carbs from the coating and rice are the biggest nutritional concerns to watch for.
Protein
46g
14% of calories
Carbs
145g
45% of calories
Fat
55g
38% of calories
Ingredient Breakdown
| Ingredient | Calories | Protein | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep-fried battered chicken thigh pieces (6 oz cooked) | 480 | 32g | 22g |
| General Tso's sauce (soy, hoisin, sugar, vinegar, chili) | 180 | 3g | 38g |
| White steamed rice (1.5 cups cooked) | 310 | 6g | 68g |
| Frying oil absorbed into batter | 185 | 0g | 0g |
| Cornstarch batter coating | 80 | 1g | 15g |
| Dried chili peppers, garlic & ginger (aromatics) | 25 | 1g | 5g |
| Scallions & broccoli garnish | 40 | 3g | 7g |
| Total | 1300 | 46g | 145g |
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Start your free trialHealthier Alternatives
Steamed chicken with brown sauce (no batter) + brown rice
Save ~780 calories by skipping the deep-frying and swapping in brown rice
Moo Goo Gai Pan (stir-fried chicken & vegetables)
Save ~850 calories — a lighter stir-fry with far less sugar and no deep frying
Air-fried General Tso's Chicken (homemade, low-sugar sauce) + cauliflower rice
Save ~880 calories with air frying and a cauliflower rice swap
Kung Pao Chicken (stir-fried, standard restaurant order)
Save ~540 calories — still flavorful but stir-fried with less batter and sugar
Portion Tips
- 1.
Split the restaurant order in half — most American-Chinese portions are designed for sharing, so boxing up half before you eat can cut calories to around 650 per meal.
- 2.
Ask for sauce on the side. General Tso's sauce is very calorie- and sugar-dense; drizzling it yourself instead of tossing the chicken in it can easily save 80–120 calories.
- 3.
Swap white rice for steamed vegetables or a half-portion of brown rice to cut 150–310 calories and add fiber.
- 4.
Choose chicken breast over thigh when making it at home — breast meat is lower in fat and saves roughly 60–80 calories per serving.
- 5.
Limit the order to one entrée per person rather than sharing family-style with multiple dishes, which can lead to unintentional overeating due to variety.
Common Questions About General Tso's Chicken
How many calories are in General Tso's Chicken from a Chinese restaurant?
A standard restaurant order of General Tso's Chicken (chicken + sauce + steamed white rice) typically contains 1,100–1,500 calories. Our estimate for a typical full serving is about 1,300 calories. Portions vary widely by restaurant, so always check with your specific restaurant if available.
Is General Tso's Chicken healthy?
General Tso's Chicken is not considered a health food. It's high in calories, refined carbs, sugar, fat (from deep frying), and sodium — a single order can contain more than a full day's recommended sodium intake. That said, enjoying it occasionally as part of a balanced diet is perfectly fine. Opting for sauce on the side, smaller portions, or a homemade air-fried version can make it significantly healthier.
How many carbs are in General Tso's Chicken?
A full restaurant serving of General Tso's Chicken with rice contains approximately 130–160 grams of carbohydrates. The carbs come primarily from the white rice (~68g), the sweet sauce (~38g), and the cornstarch batter (~15–22g). If you're watching carb intake, swapping white rice for cauliflower rice and requesting a lighter sauce can cut carbs roughly in half.
How can I make a lower-calorie version of General Tso's Chicken at home?
Yes — a homemade lighter version is very achievable! Use boneless, skinless chicken breast, skip the deep fry in favor of an air fryer or baked oven method, reduce the sugar in the sauce by half, and serve over cauliflower rice or a small portion of brown rice. This approach can bring the total calorie count down to around 400–500 calories per serving.