General Tso Chicken Freezer Meal

Get ready to fall in love with our General Tso Chicken freezer meal recipe. This dish is all about those bold flavors you love, tender chicken, and the ultimate convenience of crockpot cooking. With just a little prep on a weekend, you can have a homemade, Asian inspired dinner waiting for you in the freezer, ready to be enjoyed whenever you need it in a crunch. 

One of the best things about this General Tso Chicken freezer meal is its flexibility. You can make a big batch during your free time, and store it in portion sized containers, making it perfect for quick weeknight dinners, lazy sundays, or even unexpected guests. You can even prepare this meal raw, double it, and freeze for another night. Its like having your favorite takeout right at home, but without the hassle or extra expense. 

The key to success with this recipe is the incredible balance of flavors in the sauce. It’s sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of spiciness. This is because of the combination of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of red pepper flakes. Plus, you can adjust the heat level to suit your family’s preferences. Making it a hit with everyone at the table. 

So, let’s make this meal planning a breeze, and dive into the world of delicious convenience with our general tso chicken freezer meal. Say goodbye to the “What’s for Dinner?” dilemma and hello to a stress-free, flavorful, family fun solution that’s sure to become an instant favorite.  

Why You’ll Love This Make-Ahead General Tso Chicken Recipe

• Super Tender
• Customizable Heat
• Versatile Dish
• Kid-friendly
• Quick and Easy Prep

General Tso Chicken

Hannah Stewart

This dish is all about those bold flavors you love, tender chicken, and the ultimate convenience of crockpot cooking.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 6 Adults

Calories 421 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker / Crockpot
• 1 gallon freezer bag

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 2-3 lb chicken thighs boneless, skinless
• 1/4 cup tapioca starch sub. corn starch or arrowroot starch
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Sauce (Whisk Together):

• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tbsp honey
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp sriracha
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

For Serving:

• 2 cups uncooked rice cook rice according to package before serving
• 1 bunch green onions garnish
• sesame seeds or toasted pine nuts garnish

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Instructions

 

Freezer Prep DIrections:

• Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
• Whisk together sauce ingredients.
• Add all ingredients, except for serving, to labeled freezer bag and pour sauce on top.
• Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.

Slow Cooker Directions:

• Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
• Dump contents of gallon freezer bag into slow cooker.
• Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
• Remove chicken thighs from slow cooker, shred chicken, mix back into sauce in slow cooker.
• Serve over rice. Optional: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Instant Pot Directions

1. Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 1/2 cup water.
2. Set to High Pressure for 20 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release. 
3. Remove chicken thighs from slow cooker, shred chicken, mix back into sauce in slow cooker.
4. Serve over rice. Optional: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Dietary Adjustments

Make it Gluten-Free:

• Use coconut aminos or tamari, not soy sauce.

 

 

Make it Dairy-Free:

• This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Freezer Labels

General Tso Chicken Freezer Meal Printable Label

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 421kcalCarbohydrates: 20.6gProtein: 44.6gFat: 16.4gSaturated Fat: 3.9gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 158mgPotassium: 415mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 13.7g

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Equipment Needed To Make General Tso Chicken Recipe

• Slow Cooker / Crockpot
• Gallon Freezer Bag

Ingredients For Your General Tso Chicken

• 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs, no skin
• 1/4 cup tapioca starch
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Sauce:

• 4 tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tbsp honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp sriracha
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

Garnish:

• green onions
• sesame seeds or toasted pine nuts

How To Make A General Tso Chicken Fresh (Not Frozen)

• Blend together sauce ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor.
• Set chicken thighs into gallon freezer bags (Be sure to label gallon bag if freezing). Add olive oil and tapioca starch and shake the bag to coat.*If Freezing or meal prepping go to freezer directions at this point and continue.
• Add coated chicken thighs into the slow cooker.
• Pour sauce over chicken thighs into a slow cooker.
• Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours.
• Remove chicken thighs from slow cooker, shred chicken, remove bones and mix shredded chicken back into sauce in slow cooker.
• Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds or toasted pine nuts, if desired.

What to Serve/Pair with Your Freezer Friendly General Tso Chicken

Sides

• Steamed Jasmine Rice
• Stir-Fried Vegetables
• Egg Drop Soup

Desserts

• Fortune Cookies
• Mango Sticky Rice
• Matcha Ice Cream

Mocktails

• Tropical Punch
• Ginger Mojito Mocktail
• Citrus Sparkler

Popular Substitutions & Additions

Substitutions:

• Chicken Breast for Bone-In Chicken Thighs:
  • If you prefer white meat or have boneless chicken breasts on hand, you can substitute them for bone-in chicken thighs. Adjust the cooking time to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
• Cornstarch for Tapioca Starch (Gluten-Free Option):
  • If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, replace tapioca starch with cornstarch. It will still help thicken the sauce nicely.
• Almond Butter for Peanut Butter (Nut-Free Option):
  • For those with nut allergies, use almond butter as a substitute for peanut butter in the sauce. It will add a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor.

Additions:

• Sliced Bell Peppers and Onions:
  • Enhance the dish by adding sliced bell peppers and onions to the stir-fry. They’ll contribute a delightful crunch and extra flavor to your General Tso Chicken.
• Toasted Sesame Seeds:
  • Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the finished dish just before serving. They’ll add a lovely nutty aroma and a visually appealing crunch.
• Sliced Green Onions (Scallions):
  • Garnish your General Tso Chicken with sliced green onions to introduce a fresh and mild onion flavor while providing a vibrant pop of color to the dish.

How To Reheat & Store General Tso Chicken After Cooking

Best Way To Store Meal Prep General Tso Chicken Leftover?

After you have enjoyed your General Tso Chicken, you may have some leftovers that you want to save. Allow the cooked General Tso Chicken to cool completely to room temperature, for about 30 minutes after cooking. If you plan to consume the leftovers within a few days, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss.

For longer storage, you can freeze your General Tso Chicken leftovers. Pace it in a freezer safe container or bag, squeeze out as much excess air as possible to minimize freezer burn. It’s a good idea to separate individual portions with parchment paper for easy portion control. Always label your container or bag with a prepared date to keep track of your freshness. 

How Long Will General Tso Chicken Last In the Fridge?

With allowed proper time to cool, and storage practices, your General Tso Chicken will stay fresh in the fridge for 4-5 days. As you go to reheat your chicken, it is always best practice to sniff test your chicken to make sure your meal has not spoiled. 

Can I Freeze General Tso Chicken After Cooking?

Absolutely, Follow the same procedure as if you were storing the fridge. Allow your meal to properly cool to room temperature, generally around 30 minutes. Do not leave your chicken out for more than 2 hours as this may allow bacteria to grow in your meal. Store your leftovers in a freezer safe bag, and remove as much air as possible from your bag to limit the amount of freezer burn that may occur. Seal and label your bag.

If you are looking to freeze a raw General Tso Chicken, you can also do that. Simply blend together all the sauce ingredients in a high speed blender, put chicken in the freezer bag, pour sauce over the chicken. Remove air and seal. Shake bag to coat the chicken, and label the bag for 3-6 months after your prep day.

How To Reheat Make-Ahead General Tso Chicken

There are many options for reheating your leftovers. You can use your oven to reheat, or a microwave. If you are using your oven to reheat your General Tso Chicken, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil to prevent drying out, and reheat for about 15-30 minutes or until heated through. In the microwave, place chicken on a safe dish, cover it with a safe lid or paper towel to trap moisture, and reheat in short bursts, checking and stirring between intervals until heated through. 

FAQ’s

Other Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

• Thai Chicken
• Cashew Chicken
• Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Ranch Chicken Tacos
• Tandoori Chicken

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