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Kung Pao Chicken

Skip expensive takeout and make a spectacular sweet & spicy Kung Pao Chicken recipe in 30 minutes! Move over, Panda Express - we got this!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 610 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

Chicken
  • 2 pounds chicken tenders cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 ½ tablespoons dry sherry
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Kung Pao Sauce
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 ½ tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 ½ tabelspoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Stir Fry
  • 5 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 1 red bell pepper cored and chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 3 clvoes garlic minced
  • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh ginger peeled and minced
  • 4 green onions sliced, divided
  • ½ cup peanuts

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the cubed chicken tenders to a medium mixing bowl (or large Ziploc bag) along with the soy sauce, dry sherry, vegetable oil, and cornstarch. Toss to combine until the chicken is evenly coated. Let that sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Prep the sauce by whisking together the water, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes. Ensure the cornstarch and sugar are fully dissolved, and then set aside.
  3. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and cook the bell peppers for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  4. Add some oil (1 tablespoon at a time) to the skillet and work in batches to brown the chicken. Cook for a few minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Pro Tip: It usually takes me 4 batches to cook this amount of chicken and get a good sear. Keep an eye on the heat and reduce the burner temp as needed so the chicken doesn't burn.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium and add all the chicken back to the skillet along with the bell peppers, garlic, and ginger. Cook for about 1 minute, until the garlic and ginger are fragrant.
  6. Pour the kung pao sauce into the pan and cook until the sauce has thickened.
  7. Stir in the peanuts and green onions. Serve warm over rice. Garnish with more green onions if desired.

Nutrition Information

Calories 610kcal (31%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 55g (110%) Fat 37g (57%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 15g Monounsaturated Fat 12g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 145mg (48%) Sodium 957mg (40%) Potassium 1185mg (34%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 1266IU (25%) Vitamin C 67mg (74%) Calcium 45mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 610

% Daily Value*

Calories 610kcal 31%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 55g 110%
Fat 37g 57%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15g 88%
Monounsaturated Fat 12g 60%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 145mg 48%
Sodium 957mg 40%
Potassium 1185mg 25%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 1266IU 25%
Vitamin C 67mg 74%
Calcium 45mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.