Description
This healthy General Tso’s Chicken recipe offers a flavorful, family-friendly dinner that’s easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight meals. Made with tender chicken pieces coated in a lightly sweet and tangy sauce, served over brown rice or cauliflower rice with steamed vegetables, it’s a balanced, nutritious dish with a delicious Asian-inspired flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Cooking Oils and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 4 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (for sauce slurry)
To Serve
- Cooked brown rice or cauliflower rice
- Steamed broccoli or snap peas
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1/4 cup cornstarch until they are evenly coated to ensure a crispy texture once cooked.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in batches, cooking until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes total. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white parts of the green onions along with the crushed red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, honey (or maple syrup), tomato paste, water, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch until smooth. Pour this sauce mixture into the pan with the aromatics.
- Thicken the Sauce: Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes, to develop a shiny and flavorful coating.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss to coat each piece thoroughly with the sauce. Simmer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to heat through.
- Serve: Serve the General Tso’s Chicken over cooked brown rice or cauliflower rice and accompany it with steamed broccoli or snap peas. Garnish with the green parts of the sliced green onions for fresh flavor and color.
Notes
- You can use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch for a grain-free option.
- Adjust the amount of honey or maple syrup and red pepper flakes to suit your preference for sweetness and heat.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated for a quick and convenient meal during busy weeknights.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
