5 from 24 votes
Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken features tender chicken pieces sautéed with diced onions and red bell peppers, tossed in a savory and slightly sweet sauce enriched with soy, hoisin, and Worcestershire sauces. The dish is accented by dried red chiles for heat, scallions for freshness, and roasted peanuts for crunch. Cooking the sauce to thicken before combining balances the flavors and coats the ingredients well. Served over white rice, it makes a flavorful and textured entree.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
318 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Asian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 large yellow onion diced (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 1 whole red bell pepper diced
- 1 pound chicken tenderloin or boneless, skinless breasts
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- dried red chiles to taste
- 3 scallions sliced thin
- 1/4 cup peanuts salted and roasted
Kung Pao Chicken Sauce
- 1/2 cup water cold
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon corn starch
- 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute onion and red pepper.
- While veggies are cooking, cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add in the hot pan to cook thoroughly to brown.
- In a small bowl, whisk all sauce ingredients together. Pour into hot pan with dried chiles. Simmer to thicken sauce. Before serving, toss together with scallions and peanuts.
- Serve over white rice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Red dried chiles provide heat but can be hard to find; cayenne pepper is a suitable substitute to control spiciness.
- Adjust cayenne starting with 1/8 teaspoon and increase gradually to achieve desired heat.
Nutrition Information
Calories
318kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
14g
(5%)
Protein
28g
(56%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
73mg
(24%)
Sodium
828mg
(35%)
Potassium
588mg
(13%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
124IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
28mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 318
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 318kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 73mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 828mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 588mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 124IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 28mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.