General Tso’s Chicken is a beloved takeout classic known for its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor profile. In this recipe, we’ve transformed the dish into juicy, bite-sized chicken meatballs. Whether you’re following a regular diet or looking for a low-carb, keto-friendly alternative, these General Tso’s Chicken Meatballs are versatile and packed with flavor. The rich sauce, infused with teriyaki, garlic, ginger, and a hint of heat from chili flakes, coats the tender meatballs for a dish that’s perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main course.
Regular Version Ingredients:
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of salt & pepper
Sauce:
- ¼ cup of teriyaki sauce (4 total carbs).
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Squirt of Sriracha sauce (optional)
Keto Version Ingredients:
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup crushed pork rinds (instead of bread crumbs)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of salt & pepper
Sauce:
- ¼ cup teriyaki sauce (4 carbs total, ensure keto-friendly)
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ¼ cup low-carb sweetener (like erythritol or monk fruit)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Squirt of Sriracha sauce (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, bread crumbs (or crushed pork rinds for keto), ground ginger, chili flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Form the meatballs: Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Cook the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even browning. Alternatively, you can pan-fry the meatballs in a skillet with a little oil until golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the sauce: While the meatballs are cooking, heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the water, melted butter, teriyaki sauce, ground ginger, garlic powder, chili flakes, brown sugar (or low-carb sweetener), and a squirt of Sriracha (if using). Stir and simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine: Once the meatballs are fully cooked, add them to the saucepan with the sauce, stirring gently to coat each meatball thoroughly. Let them simmer in the sauce for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve the General Tso’s Chicken Meatballs hot, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture. Pair them with steamed rice for the regular version or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly meal.
Conclusion:
General Tso’s Chicken Meatballs offer all the bold, tangy, and spicy flavors of the original dish in a fun, bite-sized format. The option to make a regular or keto version ensures that everyone at the table can enjoy this delicious dish, whether they’re watching their carbs or not. This versatile recipe works well as an appetizer for a party or as a main course for a weeknight dinner. The combination of tender chicken meatballs with a rich, flavorful sauce is sure to make it a new favorite in your recipe rotation.
General Tso’s Chicken Meatballs: A Flavorful Twist with Regular and Keto Versions
General Tso's Chicken Meatballs are a deliciousblend of savory and spicy flavors. This recipe offers both regular andketo-friendly versions, making it versatile and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of salt & pepper
Sauce:
- ¼ cup of teriyaki sauce 4 total carbs.
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Squirt of Sriracha sauce optional
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup crushed pork rinds instead of bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of salt & pepper
Sauce:
- ¼ cup teriyaki sauce 4 carbs total, ensure keto-friendly
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ¼ cup low-carb sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Squirt of Sriracha sauce optional
Instructions
- Prepare the meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, bread crumbs (or crushed pork rinds for keto), ground ginger, chili flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Form the meatballs: Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Cook the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even browning. Alternatively, you can pan-fry the meatballs in a skillet with a little oil until golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the sauce: While the meatballs are cooking, heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the water, melted butter, teriyaki sauce, ground ginger, garlic powder, chili flakes, brown sugar (or low-carb sweetener), and a squirt of Sriracha (if using). Stir and simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine: Once the meatballs are fully cooked, add them to the saucepan with the sauce, stirring gently to coat each meatball thoroughly. Let them simmer in the sauce for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve the General Tso’s Chicken Meatballs hot, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture. Pair them with steamed rice for the regular version or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly meal.