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Square overhead shot of healthy General Tso chicken on a bed of rice.
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5 from 21 votes

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.
Course Dinner
Cuisine Asian
Keyword baked general tso chicken, baked general tso chicken recipe, Chinese Chicken, General Tso Chicken, healthy general tso chicken recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 291kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

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

  • 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.
    Sprinkling corn starch over diced chicken in a white dish.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, salt, and red pepper flakes.
    Process shot showing how to whisk together General Tso sauce.
  • Pour sauce over chicken and stir to combine.
    Pouring General Tso sauce over chicken.
  • 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.
    Square overhead image of baked General Tso chicken in a white casserole dish.

Video

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

Serving: 1/6 of the recipe | Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 30.1g | Protein: 36.3g | Fat: 5.3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 88.3mg | Sodium: 314.4mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 20.9g