If you are already running out of ideas on what to prepare for your next low carb dinner then this keto General Tso’s chicken would be a delicious meal worth adding to your list.
What Is General Tso’s chicken?
General Tso’s chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that features deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet, slightly spicy, and tangy sauce, often garnished with broccoli and served with rice.
The dish is named after General Tso Tsung-tang, a Qing dynasty military leader, though it doesn’t have any direct historical connection to him.
General Tso’s chicken is usually seen in Chinese restaurants in North America. Basically, it is a sweet version of the fast food fried chicken we are usually accustomed to.
This dish is best shared with friends and family (even those who are not in the keto diet) because of its delectable taste that every food lover will certainly enjoy.
The original recipe is not keto-friendly, so to make it appropriate for the keto dieters, I changed it up a bit.
I also intend to make this a quick dinner meal for you to easily follow so I pan fry the chicken instead of deep frying it.
But you don’t need to worry about the taste because its spices and marinade are kept the same to preserve its original peculiarity and flavor.
Save this recipe by pinning this picture to your Pinterest board for later use!
Chicken, being the main ingredient of the dish, is an excellent way to add protein into your diet.
It contains Vitamin B6 that helps boost metabolism and keeps your energy high all throughout the day.
The high-carb regular rice served with this chicken is replaced with low-carb cauliflower rice.
Using cauliflower instead of the regular rice will benefit your diet since it has much fewer calories compared to regular white rice.
Besides being low carb, cauliflower is treated as a nutritional powerhouse. It contains a handful of vitamins and minerals that will benefit your body in the long run.
In fact, studies show that cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables contain substances known as glucosinolates, which may help protect you against the development of cancer such as colon, ovarian, breast, prostate, and bladder.
In addition, we use erythritol instead of sugar to keep the ingredients sugar-free and low carb.
Stevia or monk fruit is also an option as it is a natural sweetener containing fewer calories and have many health benefits.
Feel free to add spicy seasonings and seed toppings to your dish. Just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you can’t make presentable dishes for you and your family.
Your limit is your imagination! Just let your creative side run loose and I’m sure you will prepare the most out of your ingredients at home.
If you love eating rice, try these low carb rice dishes with cauliflower.
How to Make Low Carb General Tso’s Chicken
Mix the chicken pieces well with the egg whites, a tablespoon of coconut aminos (or soy sauce if not strict keto), and half a teaspoon of xanthan gum.
I used chicken breasts but you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs as well.
Cut out the green part of the scallion from the white.
In a saucepan, heat 1 tbsp of sesame oil over medium heat. Toss in the scallion whites with the minced garlic and ginger. Whisk for 30 seconds before pouring in the chicken broth.
Mix the ingredients with 1 tbsp of coconut aminos, erythritol, and some hot sauce to taste. Add half a teaspoon of xanthan gum and continue mixing until thick. Wait until cooked.
Fry the chicken pieces over medium-high heat. This can take up to 8 minutes. Make sure all sides are cooked through. If you choose to deep fry the chicken instead of pan fry, make sure you roll the egg coated chicken in almond flour before frying for crispiness.
Cover the chicken with the cooked sauce. Mix together over the heat to cook some more until you achieve the desired thickness. Top with sesame seeds.
In 2 bowls of cauliflower rice, divide the chicken pieces evenly on top of each bowl. Top with chopped scallion green and enjoy while hot.
Related:
- Keto Orange Chicken
- Keto Mongolian Beef
- Keto Sesame Chicken
- Keto Hainan Chicken
- Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe
Keto General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients
For chicken
- 1/2 lb chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 egg white
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce if not strict keto, divided)
- 1 tsp xanthan gum divided
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger minced
- 2 scallions medium size, chopped
- 2/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp So Nourished Erythritol (or other sweetener)
- 3 tbsp sesame oil divided
- sesame seeds for garnish
For serving
- 1 cup cauliflower rice cooked
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients first. In a large bowl, season the chicken with ½ tsp of xanthan gum, egg whites, and 1 tbsp coconut aminos.
- Place the scallions on a chopping board and cut the pieces, discarding the green pieces from the white.
- Heat a tablespoon of sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute the ginger and minced garlic together with the scallion whites. Mix for about 30 seconds. Gently pour the chicken broth into the pan. Season with hot sauce, erythritol, and 1 tbsp coconut aminos. Mix the ingredients to combine well. Stir ½ tsp of xanthan gum into the mixture. Whisk until thick. Leave to cook.
- In a non-stick frying pan, heat about 2 tablespoons of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Pan fry the chicken for 7 to 8 minutes, making sure all sides are well-cooked.
- Add the sauce in the pan and continue cooking for another few minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds.
- Prepare 2 bowls of cauliflower rice. Lay the chicken on top of the rice and garnish with chopped green scallions. Serve while hot.
Video
Notes
Nutrition/Macros
FAQ
Is General Tso Chicken high in carbs?
Yes, traditional General Tso’s Chicken is high in carbs due to its sweet sauce such as hoisin sauce and the batter used to fry the chicken. A typical Chinese takeout of general Tso’s chicken order has 128 grams of carbs and it’s definitely NOT keto-approved. This is why I made this keto version for you. (*)
How many carbs are in General Tso’s chicken without rice?
There are 24 grams of carbs per 100 gram serving of General Tso’s chicken without rice. The carbs mostly come from breaded chicken and starchy sugary sauce.
How to reheat General Tso’s Chicken
To reheat General Tso’s Chicken, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), spread the chicken pieces on a baking sheet, and bake for 7-10 minutes or until heated through. You can use the microwave for a quick warm up but the oven helps retain the chicken’s crispiness and prevents it from becoming soggy.
What to serve with General Tso’s Chicken on keto?
You can serve General Tso Chicken with cauliflower rice as suggested in my recipe above, steamed broccoli, or a side of stir-fried low-carb vegetables like bok choy, green beans, or zucchini to keep it keto-friendly.
