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Kung Pao Chicken

Irresistible Kung Pao Chicken That's Better Than Takeout

This quick and flavorful Kung Pao Chicken is a delicious stir-fry that delivers bold Chinese flavors and crispy textures.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce or Tamari
  • 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar brown sugar for richer flavor
  • ½ cup water to dissolve sugar
For the Chicken
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch for coating
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
For the Vegetables
  • 1 whole red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 whole green bell pepper chopped
  • 3 whole green onions chopped
For the Garnish and Flavor
  • ½ cup raw cashews or peanuts optional
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 10 pieces dried red chili peppers adjust based on spice tolerance
  • sea salt to taste

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • small bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Kung Pao Chicken
  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup of low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of seasoned rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and ½ cup of water until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
  2. Coat the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine ¼ cup of soy sauce with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, whisking until smooth. Add 2 lbs of chicken cut into pieces, tossing to coat.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over high heat and add 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame oil and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the chicken in batches and cook until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes total.
  4. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and toss in the red and green bell peppers. Stir-fry for about 4 minutes until they soften.
  5. Aromatics and Nuts: Add the green onions, cashews, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers to the skillet. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  6. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Stir well and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from heat and serve hot over rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 100mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2.5mg

Notes

Properly preheat oils and adjust spice levels to personal taste for the best results in your Kung Pao Chicken.

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