This healthy 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 gluten free coating and pan fried, then tossed in a sweet spicy sauce.
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.
This healthy General Tso’s chicken is crispy, sticky, sweet, and just the right amount of spicy! Everything you love about takeout, made with simple, wholesome ingredients.
This paleo version skips the refined sugar, soy, and deep frying, but still delivers that glossy, restaurant-style sauce and perfectly crispy chicken. It’s quick, easy, and made in just one skillet – faster than ordering takeout!
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.
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 Is General Tso’s Chicken?
General Tso’s chicken is a popular American-Chinese takeout dish made with crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. The sauce typically includes soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers for that signature bold flavor.
This healthier version keeps all the same flavors you love but skips the refined sugar, soy, and deep frying. The result is a lighter, paleo-friendly dish that still tastes just like your favorite takeout.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Version
This recipe has everything you want in a takeout-style dinner, made simpler and healthier:
- Crispy chicken without deep frying
- Sticky, glossy sauce with the perfect balance of sweet and spicy
- Made in one skillet for easy cleanup
- Paleo, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free
- Ready faster than takeout
It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but fits perfectly into a clean-eating routine.
Ingredients 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.
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!
Is General Tso’s Chicken Spicy?
General Tso’s chicken is typically mildly to moderately spicy, depending on how it’s made.
This version has a gentle heat from red pepper flakes, balanced by the sweetness of the sauce. You can easily adjust the spice level:
- For less spice: reduce or omit the red pepper flakes
- For more spice: add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of chili paste
It’s easy to customize to your preference.
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is flexible and works well with a few simple swaps:
- Chicken thighs instead of breast: Juicier and more flavorful! I prefer thighs but breasts work as well.
- Tapioca flour instead of arrowroot: Works the same for coating and thickening
- Honey instead of maple syrup: Either one works well
- Coconut aminos substitute: If not paleo, you can use low sodium soy sauce
You can also add vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers to turn this into a complete meal.
Skillet vs Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken
This skillet version and Instant Pot General Tso’s chicken are both delicious, but they have slightly different results:
- Skillet version: Crispier chicken and more classic takeout texture
- Instant Pot version: Faster and more hands-off, but the chicken is softer
If you’re craving that crispy, restaurant-style chicken, the skillet method is the way to go!
FAQ
Is General Tso’s chicken healthy?
Traditional General Tso’s chicken is deep fried and made with sugar-heavy sauce. This healthier version is made without refined sugar, soy, or deep frying, making it a lighter option that still delivers the same flavor.
Can I make this Whole30?
To make this recipe Whole30 compliant, simply omit the sweetener or use a Whole30-approved alternative like date syrup or paste. The flavor will still be delicious, just slightly less sweet.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes! Chicken thighs work really well in this recipe and tend to stay juicier. They’re a great option if you prefer more flavorful, tender chicken.
How do I make it less spicy?
To reduce the heat, simply decrease or omit the red pepper flakes. The sauce will still be flavorful and slightly tangy without the spice.
Can I bake the chicken instead of pan frying?
Yes, you can bake the chicken at a high temperature (around 425°F) until golden and cooked through. Keep in mind the texture won’t be quite as crispy as pan frying, but it will still be delicious.
What should I serve with General Tso’s chicken?
This dish pairs perfectly with:
- Cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
- White rice if not paleo
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
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!
If you’re craving takeout but want something lighter, this healthy General Tso’s chicken is one you’ll come back to again and again. It has all the bold, sticky-sweet flavor and crispy texture you expect, but made with simple, wholesome ingredients you can feel good about.
It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner, impressive enough for serving, and easily customizable depending on how spicy or sweet you like it. Once you try this homemade version, you might not go back to takeout!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite way to serve it. And if you’re looking for more easy, takeout-inspired meals, be sure to check out my other reader favorites too.
Ready to make it?
Scroll down for the full recipe, step-by-step instructions, and all my tips for getting perfectly crispy chicken every time!
Want more healthy better than takeout recipes? Try one of these!
One Skillet Sweet and Sour Chicken
Egg Roll in a Bowl with Chicken {Whole30, Keto}
Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry {Whole30, Keto}
Healthy General Tso’s Chicken (Crispy, Better Than Takeout, Paleo)
This Healthy General Tso’s chicken is made all in one skillet in less time than it takes to order takeout! 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.
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 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
Chicken:
- 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
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, whisk all sauce ingredients together except for the garlic and ginger, then set aside.
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Place the arrowroot or tapioca in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper.
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Whisk the egg in a separate shallow bowl. 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.
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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.
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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.
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Toss the chicken in the sauce and serve garnished with lemon and green onions. The chicken is great over lightly sautéed cauliflower rice. Enjoy!
We have made several General Tso’s recipes at home and none of them lived up to restaurant quality until we made this one. This recipe is legit and so good! The chicken was crispy and the sauce was spot on. This will be on repeat for us!