Chicken pieces are coated in arrowroot and coconut flour before being pan-fried and tossed with a sticky, coconut aminos, garlic, and ginger-infused sauce. 

This Better-For-You General Tso’s Chicken will hit the spot when all you want is takeout but want something a bit healthier as well. 

Of course, this dish is made with gluten-free, wholesome ingredients that you can feel good about eating.

A blend of coconut flour and arrowroot flour is used to obtain that desirable crisped exterior, while coconut aminos is an easy swap for regular soy sauce.

The addition of maple syrup as opposed to white sugar means you’ll still get that slightly sweet and tangy sauce without any unnecessary refined sugars.

To lighten things up even more, this recipe calls for some avocado oil rather than canola oil for frying up the chicken thighs. 

Additionally, using chicken thighs as opposed to chicken breasts ensures the meat stays nice and juicy on the inside while being lightly fried on the exterior.

Build your bowl with some cooked rice and a sprinkle of sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a better-for-you homemade version of this Americanized classic takeout dish. Enjoy!  

Key Ingredients for Gluten-Free General Tso’s Chicken

No odd, hard-to-find ingredients here! This copycat version of the famous dish features accessible Asian-inspired pantry ingredients. Pick these items up during your next grocery run. 

• Chicken Thighs: Juicy chicken thighs work best here, but you could use chicken breasts if that’s all you have in the freezer. 
• Egg: This helps bind the coating to the chicken. If you’re sensitive to eggs, you could substitute 3 tablespoons of olive oil. 
• Coconut Aminos: A key ingredient to get that Asian-inspired flavor, coconut aminos coats the chicken and is critical for the sauce too. Gluten-free tamari will also work. 

• Arrowroot Starch: This thickening agent is typically used in sauces, but I’m using it to coat the chicken here as well. You’ll get that crave-worthy crispy exterior without regular flour. 
• Coconut Flour: Another way to get that crispy exterior is with coconut flour. I haven’t tried any other gluten-free flour, so I highly recommend using this one. 
• Avocado Oil: For pan-frying, I recommend this high-heat-safe oil. Olive oil has a lower smoke point. Ghee or even coconut oil can be other good options. 

• Rice Vinegar: Known for its mild acidic undertones, rice vinegar adds a slightly tangy touch to the sauce. 
• Maple Syrup: A hint of sweetness to balance out the salty, umami flavors. 
• Chicken Broth: Bone broth or regular broth will act as the base for the sticky Tso’s sauce. 
• Garlic and Ginger: Fresh is best in this sauce to give it the pop that we know and love from this Asian-inspired dish. 

How to Make Gluten-Free General Tso’s Chicken 

Prepare the Chicken 

In a bowl, whisk together the egg and coconut aminos. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat.

In a separate shallow bowl, mix the arrowroot starch, coconut flour, salt, and pepper.

Remove the chicken from the egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge in the flour mixture until well coated.

Cook the Chicken

Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Pan fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, rice vinegar, maple syrup, chicken broth, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.

In a separate small bowl, mix the arrowroot starch with water to make a slurry.

Pour the sauce mixture into the same pan used for the chicken. Heat over medium heat until it starts to simmer.

Stir in the arrowroot slurry and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.

Coat the Chicken & Serve

Add the crispy chicken back into the pan, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce.

Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

More Better-For-You Recipes: 

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Granola (Purely Elizabeth Copycat)
• Homemade Gluten-Free Strawberry Pop Tarts
• Gluten-Free Orange Chicken (Copycat Panda Express)
• Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Chicken Pot Pie