5.0 from 24 votes
Kung Pao Chicken
Skip the Chinese restaurant carryout and prepare a lighter version of your favorite dish at home with this dump-and-bake Kung Pao chicken.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 356 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (about 3 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (add more for a spicier dish or omit for a mild dish)
- ½ cup dry-roasted peanuts, or more to taste
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a medium baking dish with nonstick cooking spray (I have used a deep 9-inch by 6-inch dish and an 11-inch by 7-inch dish, and both work well). Place the chicken in the prepared dish. Sprinkle with cornstarch and toss to coat.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange zest, chicken broth, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, salt, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir to combine.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir, return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Remove from oven, stir in the peanuts. Season with additional salt and red pepper flakes, to taste. Garnish with sliced green onions just before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Cooking just for two? Cut the ingredients in half and bake in a 1-quart dish. The cooking instructions remain the same.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1/6 of the recipe
Calories
356kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
28g
(9%)
Protein
36g
(72%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
0.02g
Cholesterol
98mg
(33%)
Sodium
687mg
(29%)
Potassium
692mg
(20%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
22g
(44%)
Vitamin A
100IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
39mg
(4%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 356
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/6 of the recipe | |
| Calories | 356kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 687mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 692mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 22g | 44% |
| Vitamin A | 100IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 39mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.