RECIPE: Healthy Style General Tso's Chicken (with a Vegetarian Option Too!)

I love General Tso's Chicken, but the take-out variety is loaded with fat and calories (and frankly some of the chicken pieces look a little "iffy").  So here is a lighter option with an actual serving of veggies included, rather than the 3 florets of steamed broccoli usually used as garnish!

Healthy Style General Tso's Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb Chicken Breast (boneless,skinless) - cut into bite-size pieces
• (For vegetarian option, cut firm tofu in 1" squares and proceed below substituting tofu for chicken)
• 12 oz bag frozen Sugar Snap Peas
• 1/2 c. corn starch
• 1 c. water
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tsp grated fresh ginger (may substitute powdered if necessary)
• 1/3 c. light brown sugar
• 1/4 c. soy sauce
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 3 egg whites
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

NOTE: While cooking chicken, prepare brown rice to serve as an accompaniment.

Thaw frozen peas in the microwave appx 2 minutes or until warm temperature. In a medium bowl combine 2 Tbsp of the corn starch with 1 cup of water and stir until smooth. Stir in garlic, ginger, sugar, soy sauce, and red-pepper flakes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites and remaining corn starch with salt and pepper. Stir in chicken until coated.

In a large, nonstick frying pan or skillet, heat the oil at medium high. Add chicken in a single layer and cook 7-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Separate pieces from each other while cooking. Once brown remove from skillet and set to side.

Add sauce mixture and sugar snap peas to skillet. Heat 3-5 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken. Return chicken to skillet and toss all together.

Also see our recipe for Healthy Style Sesame Chicken.