A cheaper and healthier alternative to Chinese takeout – homemade General Tso’s Chicken Rice Bowls with sweet chili sauce, broccoli, red bell pepper, and mushrooms.

Homemade General Tso’s Sweet Chili Chicken Rice Bowls: Your Healthy & Budget-Friendly Takeout Solution

A cheaper and healthier alternative to Chinese takeout - homemade General Tso's Sweet Chili Chicken Rice Bowls with broccoli, red bell pepper, and mushrooms.

Let’s be honest, adulting often feels like an Olympic sport, especially when it comes to managing finances and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. From juggling bills to ensuring a well-stocked pantry, the daily grind can be incredibly demanding. For many, one of the biggest challenges is finding delicious, satisfying meals that don’t break the bank or compromise on health. This struggle is particularly real when the tempting aroma of takeout wafts into your consciousness, promising convenience but often delivering a hefty price tag and questionable nutritional value.

I recently faced this reality head-on. With the impending need to purchase a new car, saving money became an urgent priority. Budgeting, a skill I hadn’t truly honed before, suddenly moved to the top of my to-do list. As a self-employed individual, my income can fluctuate, making traditional budgeting a bit trickier. However, I’ve committed to tracking my spending and identifying areas where I can make significant cutbacks without feeling deprived. It’s a learning process, and I’m always open to advice, especially from fellow freelancers who have mastered the art of financial planning!

One area where I noticed a substantial outflow of cash was, predictably, eating out. While I adore the ambiance of local coffee houses, my deepest weakness lay in the irresistible allure of Chinese takeout. More specifically, my loyalty was (and still is) fiercely dedicated to one dish: General Tso’s Chicken. It’s a flavor profile I crave, a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory that often leaves me disappointed when I venture to try anything else. Even if I ordered a different dish, one bite would inevitably lead to the thought, “This isn’t General Tso’s.”

As much as I adore that deep-fried, perfectly sauced, spicy chicken, the monthly cost was simply unsustainable. Spending $14, or even $28 if I indulged twice, on a single dish wasn’t aligning with my new financial goals. It was clear I needed a delicious, more economical, and healthier alternative that could satisfy my General Tso’s craving without derailing my budget. That’s where the idea for homemade General Tso’s Sweet Chili Chicken Rice Bowls was born.

These rice bowls offer everything you love about the classic takeout dish – the rich, flavorful sauce, tender chicken, and satisfying rice – but with significant improvements. By making it at home, you gain complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a fresher and more nutritious meal. The chicken isn’t deep-fried, drastically reducing fat and calories, and we load it up with plenty of vibrant vegetables. Honestly, one of my biggest grievances with takeout General Tso’s is the paltry amount of broccoli they typically provide. With this homemade version, you can pile it on!

While this recipe foregoes the deep-fried chicken, trust me, it’s all about the sauce, and our homemade version truly shines. My sauce recipe introduces a delightful twist with a secret ingredient: sweet chili sauce. This addition elevates the flavor profile, adding a nuanced sweetness and a gentle kick that complements the traditional General Tso’s elements beautifully. If you’ve tried my General Tso’s Sweet Chili Shrimp, you’ll already be familiar with just how impactful this secret ingredient can be.

Beyond the fantastic sauce, these bowls are packed with an abundance of fresh, colorful vegetables. We’re talking crisp broccoli, vibrant red bell pepper, and earthy mushrooms. While mushrooms might technically be fungi and not vegetables, their savory umami flavor and delightful texture make them an indispensable addition to this dish (and many others, in my opinion!). The generous helping of these ingredients not only boosts the nutritional content but also adds fantastic texture and visual appeal to each bowl, making it a truly satisfying meal.

And if you’re ever in the mood to switch things up, this rice bowl concept is incredibly versatile. For a completely different yet equally delicious experience, you can swap out the General Tso’s sauce for my delectable Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce, transforming these into flavorful teriyaki chicken bowls.

One of the biggest hurdles when preparing a multi-component meal like homemade General Tso’s Chicken is the timing – getting all the different elements ready simultaneously. When it’s just me in the kitchen, the thought of cooking the chicken and sauce, and then having to pull out another pan and wait 20 minutes for rice to cook, can be daunting. Especially in a small kitchen like mine, utilizing three burners at once feels like a spatial puzzle, as my stove often doubles as precious counter space when not in use.

This is precisely where convenience products become invaluable, and Veetee Rice truly shines. This microwavable rice is a game-changer, ready in a mere two minutes. That’s right, two minutes! This incredible speed and ease make it an absolute lifesaver for those hectic moments in life. Whether you’re racing against the clock during the busy back-to-school season, heading out the door for evening plans, or simply feeling utterly exhausted after a long workday, Veetee Rice ensures that a wholesome component of your meal is ready almost instantly.

Veetee offers a fantastic selection of varieties that perfectly complement these rice bowls, including classic white long grain rice, nutritious whole grain brown rice, and even chicken-flavored rice for an extra layer of savory taste. The versatility means you can pick the best option for your dietary preferences or the specific flavor profile you’re aiming for. To discover where you can find these convenient products near you, simply check out their user-friendly store locator.

By opting for these homemade General Tso’s Sweet Chili Chicken Rice Bowls, you’re not just making a meal; you’re making a conscious choice towards a healthier, more budget-friendly lifestyle. You’re gaining the satisfaction of cooking a delicious dish from scratch, tailoring it to your taste, and ensuring it’s packed with nutrients. Plus, the ease of preparation, especially with shortcuts like microwavable rice, means you can enjoy restaurant-quality flavors without the takeout guilt or expense. It’s the ultimate win-win for busy adults who refuse to compromise on flavor or their financial well-being.

General Tso’s Sweet Chili Chicken Rice Bowls

Yield:
4 servings

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

A cheaper and healthier alternative to Chinese takeout – homemade General Tso’s Sweet Chili Chicken Rice Bowls with broccoli, red bell pepper, and mushrooms.

Ingredients

Sauce

1/4 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Rice Bowls

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and lightly salted
4-5 large white button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
1 red bell pepper, sliced
2 trays Veetee Dine-In Long Grain White Rice
Green onion and sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

For the sauce: In a large saucepan, whisk together the chicken broth, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
In a large skillet or wok over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil. Add the lightly salted chicken pieces and cook for 3 minutes on one side until golden. Flip the chicken and cook for another 3 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink. Transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl and keep it warm.
Using the same skillet (there’s no need to clean it – the leftover bits add flavor!), add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil. Once hot, add the sliced mushrooms, chopped broccoli, and sliced red bell pepper. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Remove the lid from the skillet. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the prepared General Tso’s sweet chili sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the chicken and vegetables are thoroughly coated in the sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat through.
While the chicken and vegetables are simmering, cook the Veetee rice in the microwave according to the package directions (typically 2 minutes). Divide the hot rice among individual serving bowls, forming a base. Spoon the General Tso’s chicken and vegetable mixture generously over the rice. Garnish with freshly chopped green onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving immediately.

Notes

Meal Planning Tip: To save even more time during dinner, chop the vegetables and prepare the sauce ahead of time. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the sauce gently before adding it to the cooked chicken and vegetables.

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Veetee Rice. Thank you for supporting me and the companies I work with as sponsored posts help pay for the costs of running this blog, including website hosting and groceries for recipe development.