This gluten free general tso’s chicken is a mixture of sweet, spicy, and SUPER easy to make at home! This homemade version is just as delicious as the Chinese takeout version, is ready even faster than delivery and of course is GLUTEN FREE!
This Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken is easy to meal prep, and is on the table in less than 30 minutes!
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!
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.
How do I make this recipe?
First I prep the chicken. In a bowl, I toss chicken cubes with 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Set aside.
Next I make the sauce. In a small bowl, I whisk together water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and remaining 1 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.
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 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.
Is this General Tso Chicken dairy free?
It is! There are naturally no dairy containing ingredients in this Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken.
How Do I Serve this?
I like to serve this gluten free general tso’s chicken over rice or rice noodles. I also often pair it with with my favorite stir fry vegetables like broccoli or peppers and onions.
How do I Store This
To store, I let the Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to four days.
For longer storage, I love to portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months.
How do I Meal Prep this recipe?
To meal prep into individual portions, divide the Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken into separate containers. These individual portions are my favorite for great grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners during the week.
How do I reheat leftovers?
If the leftovers are stored in the fridge, I add to a skillet and warm on medium low heat so it does not burn. Make sure to only heat it until it is warm and not overcook.
If leftovers of the Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken are stored in the freezer, let thaw overnight. Then, add to a skillet and warm on medium low heat so it does not burn. Make sure to only heat it until it is warm and not overcook.
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!
Gluten Free General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 tbsp cornstarch divided
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 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
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: In a bowl, toss chicken cubes with 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
- Sauté Garlic: 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.
- Simmer Sauce: 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. Remove the sauce from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet with the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
- Combine and Serve: Pour the reserved sauce over the chicken and broccoli. Cook for 3-4 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally, to warm the sauce through. Serve immediately over rice.
Nutrition
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