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Healthy General Tso Chicken

It's baked, not fried! This healthy General Tso chicken recipe is a lighter version of the Chinese restaurant classic -- with about 10 minutes of prep.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 291 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh garlic (about 3 large cloves garlic)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or sub with ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)
  • ½ teaspoon Salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (add more for a spicier dish or omit for a mild dish)
  • ¼ cup dry roasted, salted peanuts (optional)
  • Optional garnish: sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, extra peanuts

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, salt, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Pour sauce over chicken and stir to combine.
  4. 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

  • Don't skip the hoisin sauce, which is important for the recipe's flavor and texture.
  • The sesame oil is also a key ingredient, which cannot be replaced by other oils. Sesame oil has a unique rich, toasted flavor that gives many Asian dishes their authentic taste.
  • If you prefer dark meat, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast.

Nutrition Information

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 291

% 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.