General Tao Chicken Calories Calculator
Calculate General Tao chicken calories per serving. Général Tao's chicken — Quebec's Chinese-Canadian culinary contribution — nutrition facts and diet tips.
General Tao Chicken Calculator
To burn about 660 kcal you may need roughly:
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on standard food composition databases and common recipe data. Actual values vary by cooking method, oil quantity, ingredient brand, and serving size. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.
General Tao Chicken Nutrition Tips
General Tao chicken (Général Tao in Quebec French) is a sweet-and-spicy deep-fried chicken dish that has become one of Quebec's most beloved restaurant foods, with a special cultural status in the province that makes it arguably more embedded in Quebec food culture than in any other region of North America. While the dish originated in Chinese-American restaurant culture in New York in the 1970s (...
How to use this calculator
Type in your General Tao Chicken portion in grams to get calories, protein, carbs and fat for that exact serving. Typical servings help calibrate: a general tao chicken only (180g) comes to about ~396 kcal, while a with steamed rice (300g) is closer to ~660 kcal. If you shared a plate or took a smaller helping, scale the grams down accordingly instead of using the default figure.
Best for fitness goals
General Tao chicken is calorie-dense due to deep-frying and the sweet sauce. For weight management, request steamed or baked chicken instead of deep-fried (some restaurants accommodate this), ask for sauce on the side to control the amount used, and use cauliflower rice instead of white rice. These ...
General Tao Chicken Calories — Complete Guide
Calories By Portion Size
| Portion / Serving | Estimated Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Tao chicken only (180g) | ~396 kcal | Without rice |
| With steamed rice (300g) | ~660 kcal | Standard serving |
| Restaurant large portion (400g) | ~880 kcal | Generous serving |
Calories By Preparation Method
| Preparation Method | Calories / 100g | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Classic General Tao (deep-fried, sweet sauce) | ~220 kcal/100g | Traditional recipe |
| Baked General Tao variation | ~190 kcal/100g | Lighter version |
| General Tao without rice (protein focus) | ~240 kcal/100g | Sauce-heavy version |
Nutrition Breakdown
| Nutrient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 220 kcal | Per 100g |
| Protein | 18 g | From breaded chicken |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g | From breading, sauce, and rice |
| Fat | 9 g | From deep-frying |
| Fibre | 1 g | From sauce vegetables |
| Sodium | ~720 mg | From soy sauce in sauce |
| Sugar | ~12 g | From sweet General Tao sauce |
What Is General Tao Chicken?
General Tao chicken (Général Tao in Quebec French) is a sweet-and-spicy deep-fried chicken dish that has become one of Quebec's most beloved restaurant foods, with a special cultural status in the province that makes it arguably more embedded in Quebec food culture than in any other region of North America. While the dish originated in Chinese-American restaurant culture in New York in the 1970s (attributed to Taiwanese-American chef Peng Chang-kuei), it found unique resonance in Quebec, where the combination of sweet sauce, crispy chicken, and bold flavour perfectly matched local taste preferences. In Quebec, General Tao chicken is the default order at Chinese restaurants, a staple on all-day breakfast menus at surprising places, and a comfort food with near-universal appeal. The Quebec version tends to be slightly sweeter and more abundant in sauce than in other regions. It is served with steamed white rice. The dish represents the integration of Chinese-Canadian cooking into Quebec's diverse culinary landscape.
General Tao Chicken Calories Guide
A serving of General Tao chicken with steamed rice (300g) contains approximately 660 calories. The chicken is deep-fried, which adds significant fat, and the sweet sauce adds sugar. The rice adds carbohydrates. Without rice (just the sauced chicken, ~180g), the calorie count is approximately 396 calories.
General Tao Chicken for Weight Loss
General Tao chicken is calorie-dense due to deep-frying and the sweet sauce. For weight management, request steamed or baked chicken instead of deep-fried (some restaurants accommodate this), ask for sauce on the side to control the amount used, and use cauliflower rice instead of white rice. These modifications can reduce the meal's calories by 150–200 kcal.
General Tao Chicken for Muscle Gain
General Tao chicken provides protein from chicken alongside the carbohydrates of the breading, sauce, and rice. A standard serving delivers approximately 54g of protein — a solid muscle-building contribution. For muscle building in a controlled diet, the deep-fried breading and sweet sauce are the main areas to moderate.
Smart Comparison
General Tao vs Sweet and Sour Chicken: Both are sweet Chinese-Canadian restaurant dishes with breaded, deep-fried chicken. Sweet and sour is similar in calorie density (~210–230 kcal/100g). General Tao's spicier profile may make it more satisfying. General Tao vs Orange Chicken: Orange chicken (a similar American Chinese dish) is comparable in calorie density — both use deep-fried chicken in a sweet citrus-forward sauce.
Portion Control Advice
Controlling the rice portion is the most impactful calorie management strategy — use half the standard rice serving to save approximately 130 kcal. Request sauce on the side to avoid the chicken being completely submerged in sweet sauce. Eat slowly — the combination of sweet, salty, and spicy flavours can mask fullness signals and lead to eating beyond satiety.
Common Mistakes
Eating the entire restaurant portion of General Tao with a full bowl of fried rice and an egg roll — this can push a Chinese restaurant meal to 1,500+ kcal. Not accounting for the significant sugar in the sweet sauce. Ordering as part of a multi-dish Chinese meal rather than as a complete meal on its own.
Burn This Food — Activity Equivalents
| Activity | Duration to Burn |
|---|---|
| Brisk walking | ~165 min for 1 serving with rice |
| Jogging | ~79 min |
| Cycling | ~94 min |
| Swimming | ~87 min |
Healthy Alternative Tips
Steamed chicken and vegetables with light soy sauce — ~150 kcal
General Tao chicken without rice (protein-focused) — ~396 kcal
Cauliflower rice instead of white rice with General Tao — saves ~130 kcal
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FAQs
How many calories in General Tao chicken?
A standard serving of General Tao chicken with steamed rice (300g) contains approximately 650–670 calories. The chicken alone (180g, no rice) is approximately 390–400 calories. Restaurant large portions (400g with rice) can reach 870–900 calories.
Is General Tao chicken a Canadian food?
General Tao chicken has a special place in Quebec and Canadian food culture. While the dish originated in Chinese-American cooking in New York, it became a Quebec institution with unique cultural significance. The Quebec (Général Tao) version is often considered the most beloved regional adaptation of the dish in North America.
What makes Quebec's General Tao different?
Quebec's version of General Tao tends to be slightly sweeter and more generous with sauce than versions served in other provinces. It is served at virtually every Chinese restaurant in Quebec and has become a comfort food with cross-cultural appeal throughout the province.
Can I make General Tao chicken healthier?
Yes — baking or air-frying the chicken instead of deep-frying reduces calories by 15–20%. Requesting sauce on the side allows you to control the sugar intake. Using cauliflower rice or half a portion of white rice significantly reduces total carbohydrates and calories.
What is the difference between General Tao chicken and General Tso's chicken?
They are the same dish — the name varies by spelling and regional convention. 'General Tso's' is the American version; 'General Tao' or 'Général Tao' is the Canadian (particularly Quebec) version. The dish is attributed to Taiwanese-American chef Peng Chang-kuei, who created it in New York in the 1970s.
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on Canadian food composition databases, Health Canada nutrient data, and standard recipe analysis. Actual values vary by cooking method, recipe, brand, and serving size. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.