Description
This Kung Pao Chicken is a better-than-takeout classic, packed with bold flavors from garlic, ginger, soy, and chilies. A one-pan Chinese stir-fry loaded with tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and colorful veggies—all in a rich, glossy sauce. Ready in 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Marinade: 1 tbsp dry sherry, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp cornstarch
- Sauce: ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, ¼ cup water, 2 tbsp low-sodium dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp dry sherry, 2 tsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Stir Fry: 4 tbsp vegetable oil (divided), 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp ginger (grated), ½ red bell pepper (diced), ½ green bell pepper (diced), 8–10 dried chilies (cut into ½-inch pieces), 2 fresh red chilies (sliced), 1 stalk green onions (cut into 1-inch pieces), ½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts
Instructions
- Marinate: In a bowl, combine all marinade ingredients. Add chicken, toss to coat, cover, and let marinate for 30 minutes.
- Prepare Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk all sauce ingredients until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add chicken and cook for 3–5 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Stir Fry: Add remaining 2 tbsp oil to the same pan. Stir-fry garlic, ginger, bell peppers, dried and fresh chilies for 3–5 minutes.
- Pour in prepared sauce and stir until it begins to boil and thicken.
- Add chicken back to the pan, stir to coat. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens more.
- Stir in green onions and peanuts. Cook 2 minutes more.
- Serve: Serve hot over rice.
Notes
- Adjust the number of dried chilies for desired spice level.
- Substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Use pre-roasted peanuts to save time.
- Pairs well with jasmine or brown rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg