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Close overhead shot of healthy general tso chicken recipe served in a bowl with rice and broccoli
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5 from 15 votes

Baked General Tso Chicken Recipe

It's baked, not fried! This healthy General Tso Chicken recipe is a lighter version of the Chinese restaurant classic. Just one dish and about 10 minutes of prep!
Course Dinner
Cuisine Asian
Keyword Chinese Chicken, General Tso Chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 - 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 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 3 teaspoons finely minced fresh garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (or sub with 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger)
  • 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 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.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, salt, garlic, ginger, 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.

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 available, use fresh ginger instead of dried, ground ginger. If using fresh ginger, you'll need about 1 teaspoon of the grated root.
  • Garnish each serving with scallions, toasted sesame seeds, or extra peanuts for even more flavor and texture.
  • Add a dash of soy sauce for a salty, umami component in the sauce.
  • Include some rice vinegar in the sauce for a little bit of acidic flavor.
  • If you prefer dark meat, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast.
  • The peanuts are optional, since not every General Tso's chicken recipe includes this ingredient. We love the added salty crunch that they give the dish!
  • Cooking Just for Two? Cut the ingredients in half and bake the chicken in a smaller dish. The cooking instructions remain the same.

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