Easy General Tsos Chicken
Make homemade General Tso's Chicken with crispy baked chicken and bold, tangy-sweet sauce. Easy 45-minute dinner recipe with healthier swaps included.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon white pepper
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
- 4 dried red chilies, whole
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking
- 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch for sauce thickening
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- 2
Pat the chicken cubes dry with paper towels to ensure they develop a crispy exterior when baked.
- 3
Combine cornstarch, flour, salt, and white pepper in a small bowl, then coat the chicken pieces evenly by tossing them in the mixture until fully covered.
- 4
Arrange the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer without crowding.
- 5
Bake for 18-22 minutes over medium-high heat until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, stirring halfway through for even cooking.
- 6
Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, sriracha, and water in a small bowl to create your sauce base.
- 7
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the dried chilies and toast them for about 1 minute until fragrant and slightly darkened.
- 8
Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until the mixture becomes aromatic.
- 9
Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the garlic and ginger, bringing it to a gentle simmer.
- 10
Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- 11
Remove the baked chicken from the oven and transfer it to the skillet with the sauce, tossing gently to coat every piece evenly.
- 12
Fold in the sliced green onions and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes to heat through.
- 13
Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top as a final garnish and serve immediately over steamed white rice or brown rice.
- 14
Enjoy your homemade General Tso's Chicken with its perfect balance of crispy texture, bold sauce, and vibrant aromatics.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honey | Monk fruit sweetener or coconut sugar | Reduces refined sugar content while maintaining sweetness with minimal impact on blood glucose levels |
| All-purpose flour | Almond flour or chickpea flour | Increases protein and fiber content, improving satiety and digestive health while lowering glycemic load |
| Low-sodium soy sauce | Tamari or coconut aminos | Reduces sodium intake further and tamari is gluten-free; coconut aminos provides additional amino acids and lower sodium |
| Vegetable oil | Avocado oil or ghee | Provides healthier fats with higher smoke points and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting better heart health |
| Sesame oil | Walnut oil | Increases omega-3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation and support heart and brain health |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 352 |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 95mg |
| Sodium | 480mg |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Protein | 39g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
