4.0 from 3 votes
Kung Pao Chicken
A delectably spicy, sweet, and savory Asian-inspired sauce clings to every piece of juicy chicken in this easy dish. Kung pao chicken is quicker to make at home than ordering takeout, and it tastes so much better too.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 389 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 5 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
- 2 tablespoons shao xing cooking wine or sherry, divided
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- ½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts
- 6-10 dried red chiles, roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
- 4 green onions, cut into ½-inch pieces, white and green parts separated
Instructions
- Trim any fat or tendrils from the chicken breast and cut into ½-inch pieces.
- In a medium bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cooking wine or sherry, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth. Add the chicken and toss to coat.
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, water, and the remaining 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cooking wine or sherry, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Whisk until smooth.
- In a wok or large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over high. Add the peanuts and stir-fry until light brown, about 30 seconds. Remove from the pan.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add chiles, garlic, and white part of the scallions to the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the chicken with its marinade and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce mixture and scallion tops and simmer until the chicken is just done, about 1 minute longer. Stir in the peanuts and cook to warm through. Serve topped with more chopped green onion and white rice.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
389kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
16g
(5%)
Protein
45g
(90%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Trans Fat
0.02g
Cholesterol
109mg
(36%)
Sodium
1469mg
(61%)
Potassium
1075mg
(31%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
813IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
102mg
(113%)
Calcium
55mg
(6%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 389
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 389kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 45g | 90% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 109mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 1469mg | 61% |
| Potassium | 1075mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 813IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 102mg | 113% |
| Calcium | 55mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.