Easy Kung Pao Chicken

No need to order take-out tonight! This homemade easy Kung Pao chicken is even better than what comes in the little white box.

Easy Kung Pao Chicken

Look, I totally get that it’s tempting to order take-out! Whether you just had a long day or want to relax on the weekends, Chinese take-out usually sounds like a good idea.

What if I told you this recipe for Kung Pao chicken wasn’t just more delicious and fresher than take-out, but it was also incredibly easy to whip up?!

In the time that you spend waiting for your Postmates order to reach your house, you could’ve made a way better dinner!

Tender white meat chicken breast is mixed with fresh bell peppers and crunchy roasted peanuts. When it’s served over warm white rice, Kung Pao chicken really has it all!

This easy Kung Pao chicken is flavor packed with ingredients like soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and garlic – just to name a few. If bold flavor is what you’re craving, this is definitely the recipe for you.

Ingredients for easy Kung Pao chicken:

• Vegetable oil
• Chicken breast
• Red bell peppers
• Green bell peppers
• Yellow bell peppers
• Garlic
• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Dry sherry
• Rice vinegar
• Dark brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Roasted peanuts
• Cooked rice

How do I make Kung Pao chicken spicier?

If you really want to break a sweat, there’s a few easy ways to turn up the heat in this already pretty spicy entreé!

First, the easiest way to increase the spice level here is with crushed red pepper. By doubling the amount you’re supposed to toss in, you’ll definitely have a much spicier meal.

If you want to get more creative (and WAY more spicy), head to your local Chinese market and grab some Chinese red peppers! Tianjin peppers are extra hot. Just chop up as many as your heart desires, and add them to this easy recipe.

How long will it last in the refrigerator?

In an airtight container in the fridge, Kung Pao chicken will stay fresh for up to 4 days.

One thing I really love about this recipe is how well it holds up in the fridge, too. You’re really going to enjoy your leftovers!

If you have the time, reheat this easy meal in the skillet rather than the microwave. That way, the entreé will stay fresh and maintain it’s original texture!

Craving more Chinese chicken? I’ve got you covered:

General Tso’s Chicken Ramen

Easy 20-Minute Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli

Sesame Chicken

Easy Kung-Pao Chicken

No need to order take-out tonight! This homemade easy Kung Pao chicken is even better than what comes in the little white box.

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Julie Chiou

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Ingredients 

½1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ▢ 1 pound (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
• ▢ 2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• ▢ 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• ▢ 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ▢ 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ▢ ¼ cup (37 g) roasted peanuts
• ▢ Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions 

• In a 12-inch skillet set over medium-high heat add vegetable oil.
• When the oil is hot add in the chicken and cook until browned on the outside and almost fully cooked, about 5 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and add-in bell peppers and onion.
• Saute until the peppers and onions just start to soften. Add in the garlic and saute for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add the chicken back to pan.
• In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce, dry sherry, rice vinegar, dark brown sugar, cornstarch, and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Pour the sauce into the skillet and lower the heat to medium.
• Cook just until the sauce starts to thicken and coats the chicken and vegetables.
• Remove from the heat and stir in peanuts.
• Serve over cooked white rice.

Recipe Notes

To add more vegetables you could easily throw in a 15-ounce packet of stir-fry frozen vegetables. I like the one that includes broccoli, carrots, snow peas, and water chestnuts. This is not super “authentic” but I like that it bulks up the meal.

I typically use low sodium soy sauce.

If you have Shaoxing wine use this in place of the dry sherry.

NUTRITION FACTS

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 307 kcal | Carbohydrates: 15 g | Protein: 28 g | Fat: 15 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 73 mg | Sodium: 452 mg | Potassium: 751 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 8 g

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