Go Back
+ servings
BEST Kung Pao Chicken

Ultimate BEST Kung Pao Chicken You’ll Crave Every Weeknight

Discover the BEST Kung Pao Chicken recipe, a vibrant dish with succulent chicken, colorful vegetables, and a spicy kick, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh meat for richer flavor
  • 2 tablespoons Corn starch for marinade
For the Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Low sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 2 tablespoons Dry Sherry wine or Chinese Shaoxing wine
  • 1 tablespoon Oil vegetable or peanut for frying
  • 2 tablespoons Dark soy sauce or regular soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup Low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar or balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce or BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar or honey/agave
  • 3-4 pieces Dried red chili peppers adjust to taste
For the Vegetables
  • 1 cup Bell peppers (green and red) or other varieties
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger or ground ginger
  • 3 cloves Garlic fresh yields best results
  • 2 stalks Green onions chopped for garnish
For Garnish
  • 1/4 cup Roasted peanuts or almonds for texture
  • Sesame seeds optional garnish

Equipment

  • Large pan or wok

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for BEST Kung Pao Chicken
  1. Begin by cutting the boneless skinless chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken with corn starch, low sodium soy sauce, and dry sherry. Mix well to coat the chicken and let it marinate for 10 to 30 minutes.
  2. While the chicken is marinating, prepare the Kung Pao sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together low sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, chicken broth, Chinese black vinegar, hoisin sauce, and sugar until smooth.
  3. Heat a large pan or wok over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the marinated chicken. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until cooked through.
  4. In the same pan, add another splash of oil if needed and toss in the chopped bell peppers, minced garlic, minced ginger, and dried red chili peppers. Stir fry for about 4 minutes until slightly tender.
  5. Pour the prepared Kung Pao sauce into the vegetable mixture and stir continuously for around 2 minutes to thicken. Add the chicken back, stirring to coat.
  6. Toss in chopped green onions and roasted peanuts before serving your BEST Kung Pao Chicken over rice or on its own.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 36gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 90mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Ensure you let the chicken marinate for at least 10 minutes for maximum flavor. Adjust the spice level by modifying the number of dried chili peppers used.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!