Gluten Free General Tso's Chicken (Better Than Takeout, 30 Minutes)

Name: Gluten Free General Tso's Chicken (Better Than Takeout, 30 Minutes)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 28 min
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless (skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes); 3 tbsp cornstarch (divided); 3/4 cup water; 1/2 cup gluten free soy sauce (tamari or coconut aminos); 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons sesame oil; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided); 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes; 2 cups broccoli florets

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This gluten free General Tso’s chicken is everything you want from takeout: sweet, spicy, and coated in a glossy sauce that actually clings to the chicken! It is made in one pan in less than 30 minutes.

If you’ve missed General Tso’s chicken since going gluten free, this is the recipe. It uses tamari instead of regular soy sauce, which makes it completely celiac-safe without changing the flavor. The sauce thickens up the same way, the chicken gets the same crispy edges, and it comes together faster than delivery.

If you love easy weeknight recipes with chicken, you'll also love my slow cooker chicken satay, my chicken teriyaki and my black pepper chicken!

Is General Tso’s Chicken Gluten Free?

Traditional General Tso’s chicken from a Chinese restaurant is almost never gluten free. The sauce is made with regular soy sauce, which is brewed with wheat, making it off-limits for anyone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. The chicken is also typically coated in a wheat flour batter before frying.

This homemade version swaps both of those out. The sauce is made with tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and the chicken is coated in cornstarch instead of flour. The result is exactly the same, crispy chicken, glossy sweet and spicy sauce, just completely safe.

What Makes this Gluten free Recipe Special?

I love to double this Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken recipe so I have leftovers for the next day’s dinner, to bring with me for an easy meal prep lunch at work, or even to freeze for when I need a quick and easy dinner. Leftovers heat up quick and make for an easy meal the next day.
The best part about this recipe is that it is a one pan meal…which means only one pan to make it and only one pan to clean up! My ideal situation since I hate doing dishes.
This recipe is allergy friendly. It is naturally dairy free because there are no dairy products at all. The recipes uses cornstartch and gluten free soy sauce to ensure it is gluten free.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Chicken: The star of the show! You can substitute with tofu, shrimp, or even cauliflower.

Cornstarch: This is crucial for thickening the sauce and coating the chicken in a naturally gluten free way. You can substitute with arrowroot powder or tapioca flour.

Water: The base of the Gluten Free General Tso’s sauce. I also like to use chicken broth when I have it!

Gluten free Soy Sauce: Make sure to use gluten free soy sauce, tamari (gluten-free), or coconut aminos as all 3 of those are gluten free.

Rice Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used instead.

Sesame Oil: Offers a nutty flavor. Skip this if you don’t have it.

Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness to the Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken. Honey or maple syrup can be used as substitutes.

Tamari vs Soy Sauce vs Coconut Aminos

Regular soy sauce is brewed with wheat, which means it contains gluten. It’s one of the most common hidden sources of gluten in Asian cooking and it’s why most takeout versions of this dish aren’t safe.

Tamari is the best swap for this recipe. It’s made the same way as soy sauce but without the wheat, so the flavor is almost identical - rich, savory, and deeply umami.
San-J and Kikkoman both make excellent gluten free tamari that you can find in most grocery stores. Always check the label for a gluten free certification.
Coconut aminos are a great option if you’re avoiding soy entirely. They’re slightly sweeter and less salty than tamari, which means the sauce will taste a little different - still delicious, just a touch milder.

If you use coconut aminos, you may want to reduce the brown sugar slightly to balance the sweetness. Both work in this recipe. Tamari gives you the most authentic General Tso’s flavor. Coconut aminos give you a soy-free version that’s just as easy to make.

How do I make this recipe?

First I prep the chicken. In a bowl, I toss chicken cubes with 1 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch. Set aside.

Next I make the sauce. In a small bowl, I whisk together water, gluten free soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and remaining 1 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch.

After, I heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until garlic is golden brown.

Then, I pour the sauce into the skillet with the garlic. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. I remove the sauce from the skillet and set aside.

I then heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Then, I add the coated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Last, I add broccoli florets to the skillet with the Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until tender-crisp.

Finally, I pour the reserved sauce over the chicken and broccoli. I cook for 3-4 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally, to warm the sauce through.

Recipe FAQ

Can I make this in the air fryer?

Absolutely! The best way to make this Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken in the air fryer is to coat the chicken with the cornstartch, then add the chicken and broccoli to the air fryer. I always suggest spraying with a generous amount of oil spray before air frying to mimic that frying pan fried texture.

Do you need to deep fry the chicken?

Nope! Typically, a traditional general tso's chicken dish from a restaurant is made with a thick battered coating that is deep fried. I chose to lightly pan fry my chicken in 1-2 tbsp of olive oil instead of fully submerging the chicken in boiling oil. You can also air fry the chicken if you want to skip the oil completely.

How is this made with better for you ingredients?

Besides skipping the deep frying process, traditional general tso's chicken is often made with chicken thighs, but this Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken recipe calls for lean chicken breasts.

Is General Tso Chicken spicy?

Yes, it can be! This gluten free General Tso’s Chicken recipe calls for red pepper flakes but you can reduce the amount or omit altogether if spice isn’t your thing! The dish will still be delicious.

Is General Tso’s chicken gluten free?

Traditional restaurant versions are not - they’re made with regular soy sauce (which contains wheat) and often a wheat flour coating on the chicken. This homemade version is completely gluten free. It uses tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce and cornstarch instead of flour, so it’s safe for anyone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.

Is this recipe dairy free?

Yes. There are no dairy products in this recipe. The sauce is made with tamari, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch - all naturally dairy free. It’s also tree nut free.

Is General Tso Chicken traditionally gluten free?

Typically, a traditional general tso's chicken dish from a restaurant is made with a thick battered coating that can be made with cornstartch but runs the risk of a restaurant uses flour either instead or in addition to. Also, the sauce is traditionally made with soy sauce which is not gluten free. This Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken recipe uses only cornstartch to coat the chicken, and gluten free soy sauce in the sauce to ensure this recipe is safe for anyone eating gluten free or who has celiac disease like me!

What Is The Difference Between General Tso And Orange Chicken?

General Tso and orange chicken are SUPER similar. The major difference though is in the sauce. My Orange chicken sauce is made with orange juice or fresh squeezed oranges and has a sweetness to it. General Tso's sauce is still sweet and savory but with a little bit of spice and it is NOT made with any orange flavoring.

Storage, Meal Prep & Reheating

This recipe is one of my go-to meal prep dinners because it stores and reheats better than most saucy chicken dishes.

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken up in the fridge, which is completely normal.

Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It keeps well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating: Add a small splash of water or chicken broth to the pan before reheating on the stovetop over low heat. This is the key step - it loosens the sauce back up so it coats the chicken the same way it did when it was fresh. Microwave works too, just cover it and heat on medium power so the chicken doesn’t get rubbery.

Make-ahead tip: Whisk together the sauce ingredients and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Dice the chicken and keep it raw in the fridge. On the night you’re ready to cook, everything comes together in under 20 minutes.

Looking for more gluten free recipes?

If you make this recipe and enjoyed it, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and Pinterest. Purchase my cookbook Easy Allergy Free Cooking. Join my exclusive weeknight meal plan group for 5 weekly 30-minute dinner recipes. The weeknight meal plan also has an accompanying podcast as well! I would love for you to follow along!