Keto General Tso Chicken brings the bold flavors of the popular Chinese-American dish into a low-carb, keto-friendly version that will satisfy your cravings. The crispy, golden-brown chicken is coated in a savory sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness and heat, all without the heavy carb load.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This keto-friendly General Tso Chicken offers the perfect combination of crispy chicken and a rich, savory sauce that’s sweetened with keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol or monk fruit. The result is a dish that tastes like your favorite takeout meal but is much healthier and fits seamlessly into your low-carb lifestyle. It’s a quick and easy dinner option, great for both busy nights and meal prepping, and can be served with a variety of low-carb sides like cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
Can I Eat General Tso Chicken on Keto?
Yes of course, the easy low carb general tso chicken we are making today is 100% keto-friendly with just 4-5 grams of net carbs. Earlier I have shared the normal version (check that out) which contains a lot of carbs.
How to Make the Keto General Tso Chicken Sauce?
Normally we use ketchup, hoisin sauce and other ingredients which contains a lot of sugar and carbs, and to make it a keto-approved dish, we are just substituting few ingredients:
Ingredients
- Coconut aminos – I am using coconut aminos, you can also use low carb soy sauce, tamari sauce or liquid aminos (which is again a great soy sauce substitute)
- Hoisin sauce – Make sure to the low carb version or just skip it.
- Ketchup – Here I am using the Stevia Sweetened classic tomato ketchup (buy it here)
- Fish sauce – I love the flavor of this one, you can use Thai chili sauce instead.
- Brown sugar substitute – Make sure to use swerve sweetener or monk fruit sweeteners or any other sweetener of choice. (buy it here)
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Keto General Tso Chicken
For Crispy Chicken: Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the chicken. This ensures the chicken gets crispy instead of absorbing excess oil.
Use Dark Meat Chicken: Chicken thighs are juicier and more tender than chicken breasts, making them perfect for this dish. They also hold up better after frying.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness by adding more erythritol or monk fruit sweetener according to your preference.
Avoid Soggy Chicken: Fry the chicken in batches, so it doesn’t overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will lead to soggy chicken instead of crispy pieces.
Xanthan Gum: If you don’t have xanthan gum, you can use arrowroot powder or glucomannan, though the consistency may vary slightly.
Can I Make Ahead this General Tso’s Chicken on Keto?
Yes, you can meal prep this low carb general tso chicken recipe in your free time. Gather all the ingredients, chop the vegetables and store them in airtight containers.
Variations of Keto General Tso Chicken
- Baked Version: For a healthier, less oily version, bake the chicken at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway for even crispiness.
- Spicy Option: Add more chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce for an extra spicy kick. You can also use fresh sliced chilies for added heat.
- Gluten-Free: If you’re looking for a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos, and ensure that the almond and coconut flour are certified gluten-free.
How to Serve Keto General Tso Chicken
This dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of low-carb sides. Here are some great options:
- Cauliflower Rice: A low-carb rice alternative that pairs perfectly with the savory sauce.
- Zucchini Noodles: Fresh and light, zucchini noodles (zoodles) make a great base for this dish.
- Shirataki Noodles: If you’re craving noodles with a little more bite, shirataki noodles are a fantastic low-carb option.
- Steamed Broccoli: A healthy and crunchy side dish to complement the richness of the chicken.
How to Store Keto General Tso Chicken
Freezing: You can freeze both the chicken and sauce separately. Store the chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a skillet for best results.
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a skillet to restore its crispiness.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately and combine just before serving to maintain the chicken’s crispiness.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! Keto General Tso Chicken works wonderfully for meal prep. Store it in individual containers with your favorite low-carb sides for a delicious and convenient meal throughout the week.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breast can be used, but it might be slightly drier than thighs. To keep it tender, you can marinate the chicken breast beforehand.
Can I use a different sweetener for the sauce?
Absolutely. You can substitute erythritol with monk fruit or stevia, but adjust the amount based on the sweetness of the sweetener you’re using.
Keto General Tso Chicken (Low Carb)
Keto General Tso Chicken brings the bold flavors of the popular Chinese-American dish into a low-carb, keto-friendly version that will satisfy your cravings. The crispy, golden-brown chicken is coated in a savory sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness and heat, all without the heavy carb load.
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon swerve sweetener
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup, Stevia Sweetened
For the chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, skinless, boneless (or thighs), cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon xanthan gum
- Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Optional
- 4 scallions, chopped
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Take a bowl, add all the sauce ingredients and mix well until well combined. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, season chicken breast pieces with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat, add the peanut oil.
- Once hot, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and stir for a few seconds.
- Add the chicken pieces and stir fry for a couple of minutes.
- Add the rice wine vinegar and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the sauce and combine well. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, add xanthan gum and simmer for few minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and fully cooked and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Transfer to a plate and serve hot. Top with toasted sesame seeds and scallions and serve on a side of broccoli or any of your favorite low carb veggies.
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Nutrition Information
Serving Size
2Amount Per Serving Calories 222Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 86mgSodium 964mgCarbohydrates 4gSugar 1gProtein 28g
Still Hungry! Try these other keto chicken recipes:
- Keto Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
- Low Carb Keto Chicken Alfredo Bake
- Low Carb Chicken Cacciatore
- Keto Stir Fry Chicken With Vegetables
This Keto General Tso Chicken recipe offers all the delicious flavors of a favorite takeout dish in a healthier, low-carb form. Quick to make and packed with flavor, it’s perfect for anyone following a keto lifestyle or simply looking to enjoy a healthier version of a classic comfort food.
