Milly Gaines
General Tso Chicken is a takeout classic of crispy chicken covered with a sweet, flavorful, and slightly spicy glaze. The traditional version of this dish is high in carbs and definitely not keto-friendly, but there are many keto-friendly alternatives available. These recipes substitute sugar with sugar alternatives and corn starch with almond flour, psyllium husk, or pork rind. The sauce can be thickened with xanthan gum, glucomannan, or arrowroot powder. The chicken can be served with steamed broccoli or cauliflower rice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 4-5 grams of net carbs |
| Fat | 14 grams |
| Chicken | Thighs or breasts |
| Sauce | Spicy-sweet, made with xanthan gum, olive oil, sesame oil, coconut aminos, hoisin sauce, or ketchup |
| Sides | Broccoli, cauliflower rice, or egg fried rice |
| Recipe | Marinate chicken with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, egg, and baking soda; coat with almond flour, salt, and baking powder; fry |
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What You'll Learn
Keto General Tso Chicken is a low-carb alternative to the classic Chinese takeout dish
Chinese takeout is typically high in carbs, making it unsuitable for those following a ketogenic diet. However, Keto General Tso Chicken is a low-carb alternative to the classic Chinese takeout dish. This keto-friendly version maintains the flavours of the original dish while eliminating the high-carb flour coating and sugary sauce.
The key to creating a keto-approved General Tso Chicken lies in substituting a few key ingredients. Instead of the traditional flour coating, the chicken is coated with a mixture of super fine almond flour, salt, and baking powder. This alternative provides a crispy texture without the high carbohydrate content.
The sauce is where most of the dish's flavour comes from, and it is typically made with ingredients like hoisin sauce, ketchup, and soy sauce, all of which are high in sugar. To make it keto-friendly, these sauces can be substituted with low-carb alternatives. For example, coconut aminos or liquid aminos can be used in place of soy sauce, and monk fruit sweetener can be used to sweeten the sauce without adding sugar.
Some recipes even create a sugar-free hoisin sauce from scratch, using ingredients like peanut butter and protein powder. Thickeners like xanthan gum, arrowroot powder, or glucomannan can be added to give the sauce a similar consistency to the traditional version.
Keto General Tso Chicken is typically served with low-carb sides such as steamed broccoli or cauliflower rice, making it a delicious and healthy alternative to the classic takeout dish. This dish is a perfect example of how a few simple ingredient substitutions can transform a typically high-carb meal into a keto-friendly feast.
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It's sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free
Sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free General Tso Chicken is a healthy alternative to the classic Chinese takeout dish. This version is perfect for those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet, as it eliminates the high-carb flour coating and sugary sauce typically found in the traditional recipe.
To make this dish sugar-free, a sugar alternative or sugar substitute can be used in the glaze. Monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, and stevia-sweetened products are popular choices for achieving the desired sweetness without the sugar. Additionally, the sauce can be thickened without xanthan gum by using alternatives like glucomannan or arrowroot powder.
For a gluten-free option, the chicken can be coated with gluten-free alternatives such as almond flour, psyllium husk, or pork rind instead of corn starch or rice flour. Gluten-free tamari sauce can be used in place of soy sauce, and coconut aminos are another great gluten-free and soy-free option for the sauce.
Dairy-free General Tso Chicken can be achieved by substituting dairy ingredients with non-dairy alternatives. For example, coconut oil, ghee, or avocado oil can be used instead of butter or other dairy fats. Additionally, dairy-free protein powder can be used if the recipe calls for it.
By making these simple ingredient substitutions, you can enjoy a delicious and healthy General Tso Chicken that is sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free while still adhering to a keto or low-carb diet.
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It can be made in a slow cooker
You can definitely eat General Tso Chicken on a keto diet, as long as you make some adjustments to the traditional recipe. Chinese takeout usually contains high levels of carbs and sugar, which are not keto-friendly. However, you can easily make a low-carb and keto-friendly version of General Tso Chicken at home.
One of the most popular ways to make keto General Tso Chicken is in a slow cooker. This method is highly recommended by several sources, who claim that it is easy, healthy, and results in tender and juicy meat with a flavourful sauce.
To make keto General Tso Chicken in a slow cooker, you will first need to brown the chicken in a skillet. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, depending on your preference. Then, place the chicken in the slow cooker and top it with the sauce. The sauce typically includes hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and crushed red pepper. However, you can adjust the ingredients to your taste preferences.
Cook the chicken and sauce together in the slow cooker for 2-4 hours, depending on the cut of meat and your desired level of doneness. You can also add vegetables to the slow cooker, such as cauliflower, peppers, and broccoli. Simply toss them in the sauce and cook for 1-2 hours or until tender.
This slow cooker recipe is a convenient and tasty way to enjoy keto-friendly General Tso Chicken. It requires minimal prep and results in a delicious and healthy meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
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It's served with steamed broccoli or cauliflower rice
General Tso Chicken is a takeout classic of crispy chicken covered in a sweet, flavorful, and slightly spicy glaze. While Chinese takeout is typically high in carbs and unsuitable for a ketogenic diet, it is possible to make a keto-friendly version of General Tso Chicken. This involves substituting a few ingredients to reduce the carb content and make it suitable for a keto diet.
One popular substitution is to serve the chicken with steamed broccoli or cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. This helps to create a complete and satisfying keto-friendly meal. Broccoli is a nutritious and tasty vegetable that pairs well with the flavors of General Tso Chicken. It is also low in carbs and high in fiber, making it an excellent choice for those following a ketogenic diet.
Cauliflower rice is another excellent alternative to regular rice when creating a keto-friendly dish. It has a similar texture to rice but with a significantly lower carb content. When served with the keto General Tso Chicken, it provides a healthy and tasty option that satisfies cravings for Chinese takeout while adhering to the restrictions of a ketogenic diet.
In addition to the side dish substitutions, there are also alterations to the chicken preparation to make it keto-friendly. Instead of coating the chicken with a flour or cornstarch batter, which is high in carbs, keto-friendly versions use a coating made from almond flour, psyllium husk, or pork rind. This reduces the carb content while still creating a crispy texture.
The sauce is also modified to eliminate sugar and reduce carbs. Sugar-free alternatives, such as monk fruit sweetener, are used to create a sweet and savory glaze. Additionally, the type of oil used for frying can be adapted to suit keto requirements, with options such as coconut oil, ghee, avocado oil, or olive oil being suitable substitutes.
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It's a popular keto-friendly dish with many positive reviews
General Tso Chicken is a popular takeout dish of crispy chicken covered with a sweet and spicy glaze. The traditional recipe involves coating the chicken in flour and sugar, which makes it unsuitable for a keto diet. However, several keto-friendly alternatives have been created, which have received many positive reviews.
One such recipe is provided by Sugar-Free Mom, which has just 3g net carbs and 45g protein. The recipe substitutes the flour coating with a gluten-free option and replaces the sugar in the sauce with sweeteners like erythritol. The creator of the recipe mentions that it is one of her favourite stir-fries and has received positive feedback from her audience.
Another keto-friendly recipe is provided by Fit Mom Journey, which involves cooking the dish in a slow cooker. The creator mentions that the recipe tastes just as good as takeout, if not better, and is a great way to make chicken more exciting. The recipe has received positive comments on its Reddit post, with some users expressing their excitement about trying it and others sharing their successful attempts.
The Hungry Elephant also provides a keto-friendly recipe, which they claim tastes just like the real thing without the guilt. They create a sugar-free Hoisin sauce by using peanut butter and whey protein, which they say tastes amazing. The recipe has received positive feedback, with some users sharing their successful attempts and others asking questions about replacing certain ingredients.
Tiffy Cooks shares a similar sentiment, stating that their keto-friendly recipe creates a finger-licking-good glaze that tastes just as amazing as the traditional dish. They use sugar alternatives and sweeteners like monk fruit to cut down on the sugar content without compromising on taste. The recipe has received numerous positive comments, with users sharing their successful attempts and expressing their excitement about trying it.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. There are several keto-friendly recipes for General Tso Chicken that are low-carb, gluten-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free.
Some substitutes for corn starch include almond flour, psyllium husk, pork rind, rice flour, and xanthan gum.
Some substitutes for soy sauce include coconut aminos, liquid aminos, gluten-free tamari sauce, or coconut aminos with gluten-free tamari.
Monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, and stevia are popular substitutes for sugar in General Tso Chicken.
To make keto-friendly General Tso Chicken taste similar to takeout, you can use ketchup or hoisin sauce. However, these ingredients contain sugar and carbs, so use low-carb versions or substitutes like Alternasweets Stevia-sweetened ketchup.
