Skip the expensive and unhealthy takeout and make it yourself instead. This easy Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken is simple to prepare and so much better for you than what you'd get at a restaurant. Plus, it's gluten free!
What is General Tso Chicken? This favorite Chinese take-out dinner is a sweet and spicy dish that gets its flavor from ginger and red pepper flakes. Instead of ordering some at a restaurant, and having no control over the ingredients used, you can quickly and easily make General Tso Chicken in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
What is Sriracha? Sriracha is a hot sauce made from chili pepper paste. It is milder than Tobasco sauce and is therefore the hot sauce of choice for a wider range of people.
What is hoisin sauce? And tamari? Hoisin sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce that gives Asian inspired dishes their authentic flavor. Tamari is a Japanese soy sauce that has little to no wheat in it, whereas soy sauce does contain wheat. (Check the label on your tamari if you're avoiding gluten altogether.)
Is General Tso Chicken gluten-free? It can be! If you don't need gluten-free meal option, you can substitute regular soy sauce and hoisin sauce in this recipe.
Is General Tso Chicken carb smart? Again, it can be! Coconut sugar has lower glycemic index and that's why I used it in this recipe. However, you can substitute brown sugar if you'd prefer.
Preparation
Why do I have to coat the chicken with flour? Coating chicken with flour before browning and cooking it ensure that flavor and moisture are sealed in.
Do I have to brown the chicken? Yes! Browning the chicken seals in flavor that would be otherwise lost during the cooking process.
Pro Tips
What's the best way to brown chicken? To make General Tso Chicken, you need to first brown the chicken. When you brown the chicken, you need to make sure that it is not cooked all the way through. The best way to ensure that the chicken browns quickly is to make sure your pan is really hot when you add chicken pieces to it.
How do I make my General Tso Chicken spicier? Do you want to make your General Tso Chicken spicier? Simply add more sriracha and/or red pepper flakes. Needing to make the dish milder? Simply reduce the amount of spice used.
Serving Suggestions
What should I serve with General Tso Chicken? General Tso Chicken is typically served over rice. But, you could also serve it with sauteed greens. For some yummy rice dishes try my Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, Instant Pot Brown Rice, and Instant Pot Basmati Rice.
Related Recipes
Slow Cooker Honey Crispy Chicken
Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken
Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup tapioca flour or cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ¼ cup tamari
- ¼ cup gluten free hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- ½ teaspoon dried ginger
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cut chicken into large bite sized chunks
- Place in plastic zipper bag along with tapioca flour and shake to coat well
- Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat
- Shake excess flour from chicken and arrange in pan in single layer
- Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned
- Transfer to slow cooker
- Whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over chicken
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6
Notes
- To quickly brown chicken, make sure pan is very hot.
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Increase spiciness by adding more sriracha, red pepper flakes, etc.
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Serve with rice, sauteed greens, etc.
Good morning, Guys...I need a little help:
I really like cooking Thai, or Chinese. My wife usually requires more liquid, than most recipes call for, as she loves her rice but doesn't like it too dry.
I like your recipe for General Tso, and plan to make it today, so I'd like to know, how to thin the recipe, and make more liquid, and still stay in boundaries for the original recipe. Most Oriental meals I have no problem, making a thinner gravy, but I'm not to sure, with the General Tso's.
I really appreciate any help,
jim
Hi! If I am not concerned about it being gluten free, can I use regular flour, oil and sugar? Thanks!
Absolutely.