This Paleo General Tso’s chicken is made all in one skillet in less time than it takes to order takeout and it’s so much healthier! Bite size pieces of chicken are dipped in a grain free coating and pan fried, then tossed in a sweet spicy sauce. It’s perfect served over sautéed cauliflower rice or your favorite stir fried veggies.

General Tso’s chicken is famous for big, bold flavor!

And, my new, simple one-skillet paleo version proves you don’t need refined sugar to make it amazing.

It’s crispy, deliciously saucy, a little sweet, a little spicy, and completely packed with feel-good ingredients!

This recipe keeps things light and nourishing while still bringing you the classic garlicky, gingery zest and glossy sauce we all crave.

It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel energized and happy after eating it, not weighed down.

Plus, I’m all about easy ways to replace my favorite takeout dinners. Especially if I can prepare it in less time than delivery takes!

Let’s get into the details so you can make it ASAP!

What You Need to Make Paleo General Tso’s Chicken

This recipe is similar to my orange chicken, sesame chicken and lemon chicken. And by the way, those are ALL worth a try if you’re a Chinese takeout fan!

You can use either tapioca or arrowroot flour for the coating. I use whichever I have on hand without any issues!

For the sweetener, you can use either maple syrup, honey, or store bought date syrup which I’ve been loving lately!

Here’s everything you’ll need to prepare this chicken:

Sauce:

coconut aminos
honey, maple syrup or date syrup
rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
tomato paste
crushed red pepper more or less to suit spice preference
arrowroot or tapioca flour dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
garlic, minced
fresh ginger, minced

Chicken:

boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2” pieces
Sea salt and black pepper
arrowroot or tapioca flour
egg
Olive oil or avocado oil, for frying
toasted sesame seeds
Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Additional sesame seeds for garnish

How To Make Paleo General Tso’s Chicken

In a medium bowl, whisk all sauce ingredients together except for the garlic and ginger, then set aside.

Place the arrowroot or tapioca in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper.

Whisk the egg in a separate shallow bowl. (continued below)

Continued:

Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and coat in whisked egg, then toss the chicken in the arrowroot, shaking off excess, and place on a large plate.

Heat about 1/2 cup of oil in a large deep non-stick skillet. Once sizzling hot, work in batches to cook to cook the chicken pieces, cooking for 2 – 3 minutes, turning once or twice.

Place chicken on a paper-towel-lined plate and repeat the process for the remaining chicken, adjusting the temperature of the heat as needed.

Wipe the skillet clean, then heat one tablespoon of oil over medium heat.

Cook the garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 30 seconds, then stir in the remaining sauce mixture and cook, stirring until thickened.

Toss the chicken in the sauce and serve garnished with lemon and green onions. The chicken is great over lightly sautéed cauliflower rice!

Tips for Making Perfect General Tso’s Chicken

With this recipe and others that require dredging and frying pieces of chicken, in grain free “breading”, I have two tips to get the best crispy coating on the chicken.

First is to fry the dredged chicken in either light colored olive oil meant for high heat frying, or avocado oil.

The second is once you’re using the right oil, you want to make sure the heat is at the right temperature. You want the chicken to sizzle as soon as it hits the oil!

Since every stove top is a little big different, I always recommend testing a tiny drop of the coating mixture rather than a piece of chicken and observe if there’s a strong sizzle when it hits the oil.

If it sizzles, you’re good to go! If there’s no sizzling or if it’s faint, wait for the oil to heat more.

On the flip side, if it browns right away the oil has gotten too hot!

With the right oil, the right temperature and finally allowing the chicken to drain on paper towels after frying, you’ll get the crispiest grain free fried chicken that’s ready for the delicious sauce!

Paleo General Tso’s Chicken {One Skillet}

Name: Paleo General Tso’s chicken {One Skillet}
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons coconut aminos; 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey, or date syrup); 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (more or less to suit spice preference); 1 1/2 teaspoons arrowroot flour (or tapioca flour dissolved in 1 tablespoon water); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (minced); 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into 2” pieces); Sea salt and black pepper; 2/3 cup arrowroot flour ( or tapioca); 1 large egg (whisked); Olive oil (or avocado oil, for frying); 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds; Thinly sliced scallions (for garnish); Additional sesame seeds for garnish