Healthy General Tso Chicken
User Reviews
5
Healthy General Tso Chicken
Description
The Healthy General Tso Chicken features bite-sized pieces of chicken breast coated with cornstarch and baked in a flavorful sauce. The sauce blends hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, providing sweet, savory, and aromatic elements complemented by a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Baking the coated chicken in this sauce allows it to cook through while thickening the sauce around it, giving tender chicken pieces coated in a sticky glaze.
The texture contrasts the crispy edges that develop from cornstarch in the oven and the thickened, glossy sauce coating. Optional peanuts add crunch, while green onions and sesame seeds provide fresh, nutty garnish. This version omits deep frying, lowering fat without sacrificing the character of the dish.
This dish pairs well with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables. The recipe notes emphasize using hoisin sauce and sesame oil for authentic flavor and suggest substituting dark meat chicken thighs for more moist meat if desired. Adjust red pepper flakes to the preferred level of spiciness. Baking times ensure cooked-through chicken and sauce thickening.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken breast cut into 1 ½-inch pieces, boneless, skinless
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic about 3 large cloves garlic, finely minced, fresh
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger or sub with ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, grated fresh
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes add more for a spicier dish or omit for a mild dish, crushed
- ¼ cup peanuts optional, dry roasted, salted
- green onion optional garnish, sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, extra peanuts
- sesame seed
- peanut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a medium baking dish with cooking spray (I have used a deep 9-inch by 6-inch dish, a deep 8-inch square dish, and an 11-inch by 7-inch dish, and all work well). Place chicken in the prepared dish. Sprinkle with cornstarch and toss to coat.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour sauce over chicken and stir to combine.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir, return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened. Remove from oven, stir in peanuts. Season with additional salt and red pepper flakes, to taste. Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or extra peanuts just before serving.
Notes
- Do not omit hoisin sauce as it contributes essential flavor and texture.
- Use sesame oil to retain authentic toasted flavor; other oils do not substitute well.
- Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for chicken breast if preferred for juicier texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 291 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/6 of the recipe | |
| Calories | 291kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 30.1g | 10% |
| Protein | 36.3g | 73% |
| Fat | 5.3g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 88.3mg | 29% |
| Sodium | 314.4mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 0.6g | 2% |
| Sugar | 20.9g | 42% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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