General Tso’s Chicken Without Cornstarch (Best Recipe)

When it comes to Chinese-American cuisine, General Tso Chicken is truly a classic dish known for its bold and rich flavors. Generally, it combines the succulent taste of crispy fried chicken pieces with a sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy sauce.

However, if you prefer a recipe without the addition of cornstarch, you’ve come to the right place.

By following this recipe, you’ll still achieve the taste and texture of traditional General Tso Chicken without cornstarch.

It’s an easy, delicious meal that’s perfect for family dinners or when you crave some delicious Chinese takeout at home.

General Tso’s Chicken Without Cornstarch

The Healthier version of the Chinese Mainstay General Tso Chicken eliminates the typically-used cornstarch batter.

The result is a lighter, yet still crispy, chicken bathed in a flavorful sauce that’s a little sweet, a little tangy and with a hint of heat.

It’s quick to make, requires simple-to-find ingredients, and is an ideal addition to your weekly menu.

Here’s how to make General Tso chicken without cornstarch:

Ingredients

For The Chicken:

• 1 lb Chicken Breast (Cubed)
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• A Pinch of Salt & Pepper

For The Sauce:

• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Fresh Garlic (Minced)
• 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1/4 cup White Vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1 cup Chicken Broth
• 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (More for Extra Heat)

Directions

Step 1: Cub the chicken breasts into bite-size pieces. This ensures equal cooking time and a better overall experience of your finished dish.

Step 2: Season the cubed chicken with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.

Step 3: In a large skillet or wok, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.

Note: You may also bake the chicken breast cubes at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.

Step 4: While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare your sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, fresh garlic, sesame seeds, sugar, honey, white vinegar, rice wine vinegar, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes. Mix all the ingredients well until thoroughly combined.

Step 5: Once your chicken is cooked and browned, lower the heat, and pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Stir the chicken well, ensuring that all the pieces are coated in the sauce.

Step 6: Simmer the chicken and sauce together for another 5 minutes over low heat. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly, and for the flavors to meld together.

Step 7: Finally, serve your delicious General Tso Chicken without cornstarch over a bed of steamed rice or with a side of vegetable stir-fry. Enjoy!

Note: You can adjust the red pepper flakes quantity based on your preferred level of spiciness.

Tips For The Best General Tso Chicken

• If you want to add a little extra crisp to your chicken, you can toss it in some cornstarch before frying, or even dredge it in some flour or bread crumbs. However, if you want to keep it completely cornstarch-free, skip this step.
• When cooking the chicken, ensure the cubes are spread out in the skillet or wok, with some space in between. Overcrowding the pan will make the chicken steam rather than fry, resulting in less crispy batter.
• If you like a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water, then add that mixture to your sauce before pouring it over the chicken.
• Remember to taste your sauce before adding the chicken. Adjust any seasonings accordingly, based on your preference for sweet, tangy, or spicy flavors.
• The beauty of this dish is its versatility. You can also add some veggies such as broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas to your stir-fry.
• Always have your rice or noodles prepared before adding the sauce to your chicken. The sauce thickens quickly, so you want to ensure your other components are ready to serve.

Variations

• For a healthier option, use skinless chicken breast and bake instead of frying. You can also reduce the sugar quantity if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
• Add some depth of flavor with a dash of ginger powder in your sauce mixture.
• Swap out the chicken for shrimp or tofu for a General Tso’s Shrimp or General Tso’s Tofu variation.
• Serve with your favorite Asian noodles instead of rice for a change.