Weight Watchers And General Tso's Chicken: How Many Points?

General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese takeout favorite that can be adapted to suit the Weight Watchers diet plan. The number of points varies depending on the recipe and ingredients used, but it can be as little as 0 points. One recipe that uses boneless skinless chicken breast, garlic, soy sauce, scallions, and ginger is 7 points on the 2022/2023 plan. Another recipe that bakes the chicken has 5 points per serving. The number of points can be altered by cooking the chicken in a small amount of oil instead of deep-frying and using reduced-sodium chicken broth and soy sauce.

General Tso Chicken recipe variations

General Tso Chicken is a Chinese-American dish of fried chicken pieces that are breaded and tossed in a tangy sauce. The sauce is thick and loaded with flavour, often compared to sesame or orange chicken but with a unique savoury taste and a bit more spice. It is usually served with steamed rice and broccoli, but you can also serve it with ramen noodles, fried rice, or a mix of stir-fried vegetables.

The number of Weight Watchers points in General Tso Chicken depends on how it is made. Here are some recipe variations to make the dish Weight Watchers-friendly:

Chicken

The first step is to cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavourful, but chicken breasts have a cleaner flavour that allows the sauce to stand out. Bread the chicken by tossing it in cornstarch, which will give it a golden brown colour and crispy texture. You can also bake the chicken instead of frying it to reduce the amount of oil used.

Sauce

The sauce is a combination of chicken broth, cornstarch, sugar or sugar substitute, soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger. You can add garlic, red pepper flakes, and fresh chilis for spice and flavour. Hoisin sauce, tomato paste, and sesame oil or vegetable oil can also be added. Dissolve the sugar and cornstarch before adding the other ingredients.

Cooking

Add oil to a wok or frying pan and sauté the chicken until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. In the same pan, sauté garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes until fragrant. Add the sauce and bring it to a simmer, then add the chicken back to the pan. Toss the chicken to coat it evenly in the sauce. Serve the chicken and sauce over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.

The number of points

The number of Weight Watchers points in General Tso Chicken varies depending on the recipe and cooking method. Some recipes claim to have a points value of 0, while others suggest a value of between 4 and 8 points.

One recipe suggests that the dish can be made for 0 points using Weight Watchers sugar substitute and a small amount of oil instead of deep frying. This recipe also suggests using chicken broth and soy sauce with reduced sodium to keep the points value low.

Another recipe, which serves the chicken with rice and vegetables, calculates the points value to be 8. This recipe includes sugar, flour, and olive oil, which may contribute to the higher points value.

A third recipe, which serves the chicken with lo mein noodles, estimates the points value to be 4 if the rice is left out of the recipe. This suggests that the choice of side dish can significantly impact the points value of the meal.

It is worth noting that the points values of these recipes may have been calculated using different Weight Watchers plans, such as the Blue Plan or Green Plan, which could also account for some of the variations in points values. It is always recommended to double-check the points value of a recipe using the official Weight Watchers calculator.

Accompanying dishes

General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese-American dish that features deep-fried chicken coated in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce. The Weight Watchers version of this dish suggests using a small amount of oil to cook the chicken instead of deep-frying it, which can alter the points value. The dish is typically served over rice, with each serving including about 1 cup of chicken with sauce and 1/2 cup of rice.

Vegetables

• Broccoli: This is a commonly suggested side dish, and can be steamed or sautéed.
• Cabbage: Sautéed cabbage with onion in bacon grease, seasoned with brown sugar, cider vinegar, chicken bouillon, and Nature's seasoning.
• Carrots: Try fragrant ginger-lemon carrots for a refreshing side dish.
• Salad: A pear and pomegranate salad can add a fruity and nutritious element to the meal.

Noodles

• Lo mein noodles: These can be cooked in the same pan as the chicken, making it a convenient and tasty option.
• Yakisoba noodles: A quick and easy noodle dish that pairs well with the chicken.

Other

• Fried rice: This can be made with leftover rice and frozen vegetables, or try pork fried rice for a heartier option.
• Chicken stir-fry: A simple and healthy option loaded with veggies and cashews.
• Beef stir-fry: Another stir-fry option with a high serving of veggies.

Nutritional information

The nutritional value of General Tso Chicken depends on the ingredients used and the method of preparation. The Weight Watchers program provides a range of recipes for this dish, with variations in the ingredients used and the cooking methods.

One recipe suggests baking the chicken, which results in a serving of about 1 cup of chicken with sauce and 1/2 cup of rice. This recipe includes boneless, skinless chicken breast, chicken broth, tomato paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chilli paste, sesame or vegetable oil, sugar (or a sugar substitute), cornstarch, and optional fresh chillies, red pepper flakes, and garlic. This recipe can be as little as 0 points, depending on the specific ingredients used and the cooking method.

Another recipe suggests sautéing the chicken instead of frying it, which reduces the fat content. This recipe includes chicken, broth, cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, scallions, garlic, and red pepper flakes. The chicken is cooked in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat and then tossed with the sauce. This recipe yields about 1 cup of chicken with sauce and 1/2 cup of rice per serving. The points value may be altered by cooking methods and the use of reduced-sodium ingredients.

A third recipe, which yields 5 points per serving, involves baking the chicken and includes flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, liquid egg substitute, olive oil, and non-fat cooking spray. This recipe also includes suggestions for serving, such as brown rice and stir-fried vegetables.

The nutritional information for General Tso Chicken can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. It is recommended to double-check the points on the official Weight Watchers calculator.

Weight Watchers alternatives

There are several alternatives to Weight Watchers (WW) that can help you achieve your weight loss goals. Here are some options to consider:

Healthi (formerly itrackbites)

Healthi is a free app that is very similar to WW. It allows users to track points, which are called "bites" on this app. Healthi also offers plans that are similar to previous WW plans, such as Weight Watchers Blue, Green, or Purple, and Smart Points. This can be a great option if you have found success with a previous WW plan and want to continue with a similar approach.

The Holy Mess

The Holy Mess is a website created by Sara, a certified Binge Eating and Bulimia Recovery Coach. Her website offers a Recipe Finder that allows users to sort and search for healthy recipes. It also provides a Weight Watchers 7-Day Meal Plan, 75+ Zero-Point Meals and Snacks, and Weight Watchers Two-Ingredient Dough Italian Breadsticks. The Holy Mess has helped millions of readers and offers group weight loss challenges led by Sara.

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)

A Continuous Glucose Monitor is a more expensive option but offers a comprehensive program that includes interaction with a dietitian, food tracking in an app, and learning modules. This program helps moderate food intake based on blood sugar readings, providing a scientific approach to weight loss.

Nutrisense

Nutrisense is another alternative to Weight Watchers that offers a similar service. While I didn't find detailed information on their program, it appears to be a subscription-based service with additional costs for groceries.

Home Cooking and Independent Tracking

Some people choose to use the Weight Watchers program independently by purchasing the materials and then using them long-term without the subscription. This approach allows individuals to track points and weight independently, often using free printables or spreadsheets. However, this method may be less successful due to the inability to access updates to the points system and new information about food points values.

Weight Watchers-Friendly General Tso Chicken

When it comes to General Tso Chicken, a Chinese takeout favorite, there are ways to make it more Weight Watchers-friendly. One recipe suggests using a small amount of oil for sautéing the chicken instead of frying it, reducing the overall fat content. Using cornstarch instead of traditional breading lightens the recipe and speeds up preparation time. Additionally, serving the dish with sautéed broccoli instead of fried rice can further reduce points.

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