How Many Calories Are in General Tso’s Chicken? A Closer Look at This Popular Chinese Takeout Dish

General Tso’s chicken is a sweet crunchy and spicy chicken dish that has become a staple of Chinese takeout restaurants across America. With its origins murky, General Tso’s chicken has emerged as one of the most popular Chinese dishes in the U.S., even though it’s nearly impossible to find in China.

But with all that crispy fried chicken and savory, sugary sauce, many who love General Tso’s chicken find themselves wondering: Just how many calories are in an order of General Tso’s chicken? Let’s take a closer look.

A Brief History of General Tso’s Chicken

While General Tso’s chicken has come to be known as a Hunanese dish, its origins are actually quite mysterious The dish is named after Zuo Zongtang (also known as General Tso), a Hunanese statesman and military leader in the late Qing dynasty However, there is no record of a dish like General Tso’s chicken being created during Zuo’s lifetime in the 19th century.

The origins of the dish most likely trace back to Taiwanese chef Peng Chang-kuei. Peng fled to Taiwan after the Communist revolution in China in 1949. He then immigrated to New York in the 1970s to open a restaurant, where he began cooking up a sweet, fried chicken dish. After tweaking the recipe over the years, the chicken dish he created eventually became known as General Tso’s chicken.

Peng’s version of the dish was initially less sweet than the General Tso’s chicken we know today. It became sweeter over time to cater to American tastes. The dish grew steadily in popularity over the decades, becoming a ubiquitous menu item at Chinese restaurants across the U.S. These days, General Tso’s chicken is nearly impossible to find in China, but remains beloved stateside.

The Calories and Nutrition Facts of General Tso’s Chicken

With its crispy, fried coating and sweet sauce, General Tso’s chicken is not exactly a diet food. Still, depending on portion size, it can reasonably fit into a balanced diet. Let’s break down the nutrition facts:

• For a typical 5 piece serving of General Tso’s chicken with sauce from a Chinese takeout restaurant, expect approximately 650 calories.

• In a 10 piece serving from a restaurant, you’re looking at about 1,100 calories.

• For a large 15 piece order of General Tso’s chicken, calories add up to around 1,600.

As you can see, portion size has a significant impact on calories. Now let’s look at some other key nutrition facts for General Tso’s chicken:

• Protein ranges from 25-40g. The chicken provides ample protein.

• Carbs make up the majority of calories. A 5 piece serving has around 75g carbs, while a 15 piece order can exceed 150g.

• There are minimal vitamins and minerals. You’ll get a decent hit of niacin and vitamin K, but that’s about it.

• Sodium content is high, ranging from 1500-2500mg due to soy sauce in the sauce and batter.

• Sugar content is also very high at 30-50g per serving, resulting from sugar used in the sauce.

• Fat ranges from 35-60g. General Tso’s is high in fat thanks to the fried chicken coating.

Tips for Lightening Up Your Order of General Tso’s Chicken

If you want to indulge in General Tso’s chicken but avoid going overboard on calories, here are some tips:

• Stick to a 5-7 piece serving to keep your meal around 500-700 calories. Portion control is key.

• Request steamed rice instead of fried rice, to trim carbs and fat.

• Ask for sauce on the side and use sparingly to limit sugar and sodium intake.

• Opt for chicken breast meat rather than darker cuts to reduce fat slightly.

• Load up on steamed veggies like broccoli to add nutrients and fiber.

• Split your order with someone else or take half home for leftovers.

• Avoid soups, egg rolls, and other fried apps to cut out excess calories.

Is General Tso’s Chicken Healthy Overall?

General Tso’s chicken is not the most nutritious choice out there. It’s extremely high in refined carbs, sodium, and sugar. However, it can potentially fit into an overall balanced diet when consumed in moderation.

If getting takeout, General Tso’s chicken is a slightly better choice than fried dishes like orange chicken or kung pao chicken thanks to its higher protein content. It can also be a good source of protein if you load up on veggies as a side dish to balance out the meal.

At the end of the day, General Tso’s chicken is a sometimes food. Enjoy it occasionally as a treat, focus on portion control, and balance it out with nourishing foods for the rest of your meals. Then the sweet, crispy goodness of General Tso’s chicken can absolutely be part of an overall healthy diet.

When it comes to General Tso’s chicken nutrition facts, a 5-7 piece serving will provide around 500-700 calories, with high amounts of carbs, sodium, sugar and fat. To lighten it up, watch your portions, choose lower carb sides, and use sauce sparingly. While it’s not the most nutritious choice out there, General Tso’s chicken can be incorporated into a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. So the next time a General Tso’s craving strikes, don’t be afraid to order your favorite takeout chicken. Just be mindful of portions and balance out the rest of your diet.

Chinese takeout varies greatly in calorie count depending on the dish, portion size, and preparation method.