Description
This 30 Minute General Tso's Chicken recipe offers a quick and flavorful take on the classic Chinese-American dish. Featuring crispy baked chicken coated in a tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce, paired with roasted broccoli, it makes for an easy, delicious weeknight dinner that's healthier than traditional fried versions.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Black pepper, to taste
- Chili flakes, to taste
- 1/4 cup flour or gluten-free flour
- 4 tablespoons melted butter or extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- Salt, to taste
- Additional olive oil or butter, for tossing broccoli
Sauce
- 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili paste
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Garnish
- Sesame seeds, for serving
- Green onion, sliced, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it with oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the chicken and broccoli: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with garlic powder, black pepper, and chili flakes. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss well to coat evenly. Add 2 tablespoons of melted butter and toss again until the chicken is evenly coated. Place the chicken on one side of the baking sheet. On the other side, arrange the broccoli florets and toss them with the remaining melted butter or olive oil, salt, and pepper for seasoning.
- Bake chicken and broccoli: Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and broccoli is tender-crisp.
- Make the sauce: While the chicken and broccoli bake, combine tamari or soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, chili paste, chopped garlic, ground ginger, and toasted sesame oil in a bowl or glass jar. Stir or shake well until all ingredients are fully mixed.
- Coat chicken with sauce and finish baking: Remove the broccoli from the baking sheet, leaving the chicken on the sheet. Pour the prepared General Tso's sauce over the cooked chicken and toss gently to coat each piece well. Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and glaze the chicken.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and transfer the chicken and broccoli to serving plates. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. For a complete meal, serve over steamed white or brown rice.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour and tamari to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust chili flakes and chili paste amounts to suit your preferred level of spiciness.
- Chicken thighs provide more moisture and tenderness compared to breasts.
- For a dairy-free option, use extra virgin olive oil instead of butter.
- Make sure to evenly coat the chicken with the sauce in the final step to ensure flavorful results.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese-American