gluten free sheet pan general tso's chicken (30 minutes, one pan)
your favorite Chinese takeout made at home on a sheet pan. Total game changer!
This recipe was featured on this week’s podcast episode here!!
Growing up my family had a Chinese food restaurant we ordered from so often they knew us by our phone number instead of our name. My sister and I thought that was the funniest thing. General Tso’s chicken was always on that table and it is one of those dishes I genuinely cannot order at most restaurants now because I cannot trust the soy sauce situation. So making it at home is just the smarter move every single time.
I was craving Chinese food and feeling lazy and I usually make General Tso’s in a frying pan but I figured let me try it on a sheet pan instead. It was A GAME CHANGER. Everything gets crispy in the oven without standing over a hot pan stirring constantly and the sauce comes together in the microwave while the chicken bakes. Andrew and I had this for dinner and it tasted exactly like takeout without any of the gluten risk or the hour long delivery wait. This recipe is gluten free because I used Kikkoman tamari in both the marinade and the sauce instead of regular soy sauce. Always check your chili oil label before using it since gluten can sneak in.
Scroll down to the For Your Little Ones section to see exactly how to serve this to your whole family, including toddlers!
This recipe is featured in this week’s meal plan for paid subscribers with 4 other easy gluten free weeknight dinners. Jump to the weekly dinner plan here.
Make It Even Easier | Busy Mom Shortcuts
Use microwavable or frozen rice. I used boil in a bag and it is ready in about 10 minutes while the chicken bakes. No extra pot to wash and it comes out perfectly fluffy every single time!
Make the sauce ahead of time. Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a jar or container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you are ready to eat just pour it in a bowl and microwave it until thick and glossy. Dinner comes together SO fast when the sauce is already done!
Use a jelly roll sheet pan lined with parchment paper for the easiest cleanup. It is the perfect size for 2 servings and makes the whole thing completely foolproof. For a single serving the air fryer gets even crispier results in less time!
Cook Smarter, Not Harder
The cornstarch coating on the chicken is everything. Toss the chicken cubes in tamari and cornstarch before they go on the sheet pan and spray generously with avocado oil spray before baking. The more cornstarch and oil the crispier the chicken gets. Do not skip the spray!
Pound the chicken between two pieces of parchment before cutting if you want it extra tender. This is truly optional but it does make a difference. It breaks down the muscle fibers slightly so the chicken stays juicy and tender inside while getting crispy on the outside. Totally up to you!
Stir the sauce every 30 to 40 seconds in the microwave and do not let it boil. You want it hot and thickened and glossy like takeout sauce. It should not be bubbling and boiling. After about 2 to 3 minutes take it out and let it sit for a full minute before deciding if it needs more time. It will continue to thicken as it sits!
Cook the rice while the chicken bakes so everything is ready at the same time. The chicken takes about 30 minutes at 375 degrees and that is the perfect window to get your rice going and your sauce made with zero rush!
Make It Your Own
Kikkoman tamari is your most important celiac check in this recipe. Regular soy sauce contains wheat and is NOT celiac safe. Tamari, gluten free soy sauce, and coconut aminos are all completely interchangeable here. Always check your chili oil and rice vinegar labels too since gluten can sneak into both!
Want it extra sweet? Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar or swap the honey for maple syrup for a slightly different but equally delicious flavor!
Broccoli swaps: peppers and onions work great here, or use a bag of mixed Chinese style vegetables if you want more variety. Any vegetable that roasts well on a sheet pan works beautifully in this recipe!
For a vegan version swap the chicken for firm tofu cut into 1 inch cubes. Press it dry first, toss in the tamari and cornstarch, and bake the same way. SO good and the sauce coats it perfectly!
Serve over gluten free rice noodles instead of rice if you want to switch it up. The sauce is incredible over noodles and it gives you that full Chinese noodle bowl energy!
gluten free sheet pan general tso’s chicken
gluten free | dairy free | nut free
serves 4 | prep 10 min | bake 30 min | one pan
Ingredients
For the chicken:
1 lb chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 heads of broccoli, cut into florets
2 tbsp tamari (or gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos)
2 tbsp cornstarch
For the sauce:
1/3 cup tamari (or gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos)
1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar, labeled gluten free
1 tbsp chili oil, labeled gluten free
1 cup water
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp ketchup
1 to 2 tbsp sugar (optional, if you like it extra sweet)
For serving:
1 1/2 cups cooked rice per serving (microwavable or boil in a bag)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line a jelly roll sheet pan with parchment paper.
Optional: pound 1 lb chicken breasts between two pieces of parchment paper before cutting for extra tender chicken.
Cut the chicken into 1 inch cubes. In a bowl toss the chicken with 2 tbsp tamari and 2 tbsp cornstarch until every piece is evenly coated.
Spread the coated chicken and broccoli florets in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan. Spray generously with avocado oil spray. The more oil the crispier!
Bake for 30 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees and the edges are crispy and golden. The broccoli should be slightly charred at the tips.
While the chicken bakes cook your rice according to package directions. Then make the sauce: whisk together 1/3 cup tamari, 1/3 cup honey, 1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp chili oil, 1 cup water, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 2 tbsp ketchup in a microwave safe bowl until fully combined.
Microwave the sauce in 30 to 40 second intervals, stirring between each, for 2 to 3 minutes total until it is hot, thick, and glossy like takeout sauce. Do not let it boil! Let it sit for a full minute after to continue thickening.
Remove the chicken from the oven. Drizzle the sauce generously over the chicken and broccoli on the sheet pan. Serve over rice immediately!
For Your Little Ones
Fletcher has not tried this one yet but he is working his way up to it! This is one for older toddlers since the chicken pieces need to be soft and easy to chew. If you want to serve this to a toddler set aside a few pieces of plain baked chicken and broccoli before adding the sauce. Let everything cool completely and cut into very small pieces. Skip the sauce entirely for little ones and serve plain with soft rice on the side!
Make It, Save It, Reheat It
In the fridge, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This makes a fantastic next day lunch and reheats really well!
To reheat, warm in a skillet on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave. Do not overcook when reheating or the chicken will get rubbery. Low and slow is the move!
To freeze, store in a freezer safe airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The sauce freezes beautifully and the chicken holds up well too!
Make the sauce ahead of time. Mix it all together and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you are ready just microwave until thick and glossy. It saves so much time on a busy weeknight!
More Easy Gluten Free Dinners You’ll Love (especially if you have leftover ingredients)
PDF Download + Printer Version Link
Want to save this one for your next Chinese food craving? Download the printer-friendly PDF version below or open the Google Doc version here.
Paid subscribers get a full meal plan + a printable PDF grocery shopping list every Sunday.
Share the Love
Sheet pan or frying pan for Chinese food at home?! Drop it in the comments because I am fully converted to the sheet pan method and I want to know if you are too!
Made this one? Leave a review on kaylacappiello.com OR share a photo of this dish to your Stories and tag me @kaylacappiello. I pick 3 winners for a free month of my paid subscription every single month!
And if you are not following along on Instagram yet come find me at @kaylacappiello for daily gluten free recipes, sheet pan everything, and Chinese food at home content!