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Kung Pao Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 17 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Total Time: 36 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Description

A flavorful and vibrant Kung Pao Chicken recipe featuring tender marinated chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and a tangy orange chili sauce, garnished with roasted peanuts and sesame seeds. Perfect served over rice for a satisfying meal.


Ingredients

Scale

For the marinade:

  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon sherry or Shaoxing wine
  • 1 and 1/2 pounds chicken breasts or chicken thighs, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for searing

For the veggies:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for sautéing the veggies
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 2 small zucchini
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 and 1/2 inches fresh ginger, about 1 tablespoon grated or minced (or 1 tablespoon ginger paste)

For the sauce:

  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chili crisp
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (or 1/2 cup water with 3/4 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Chicken base)
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest, from 1 orange
  • 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice, from 1/2 an orange

To serve:

  • 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts or roasted salted cashews
  • Green onions, chopped, for garnish
  • White sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Hot rice, for serving (such as Coconut Jasmine Rice, white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or basmati rice)


Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon sherry or Shaoxing wine. Cut chicken into 1-2 inch pieces, add to the marinade, stir and set aside at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. Prepare the vegetables: Chop red and green bell peppers into squares. Slice zucchini lengthwise into strips, then chop into 2 inch pieces. Chop 1/2 cup onion. Smash and mince garlic. Peel and mince or grate ginger. Set vegetables aside separately from garlic and ginger.
  3. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon chili crisp, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon orange zest, and 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice. Leave whisk in bowl for mixing again later.
  4. Sear the chicken: Heat a 12 inch cast iron skillet or wok over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until very hot. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and swirl to coat. Add chicken pieces in batches with space, cook without touching for 2-3 minutes until browned on bottom. Flip and sear other side for 1 minute. Turn heat to medium and cook until chicken reaches 160°F internal temperature. Remove chicken to a plate and repeat with remaining pieces.
  5. Cook the vegetables: Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to the skillet and heat on medium-high. Add peppers, onion, and zucchini and sauté for about 2 minutes until crisp-tender. Add garlic and ginger and cook for another 1-3 minutes depending on desired softness.
  6. Add chicken and sauce: Return chicken and juices to skillet with vegetables. Add orange chili sauce and stir to coat, scraping browned bits from the pan. Stir in 1/2 cup roasted peanuts or cashews. Remove from heat.
  7. Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted white sesame seeds. Serve hot with rice of choice and extra chili crisp sauce if desired.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken broth with 1/2 cup water and 3/4 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Chicken base for similar flavor.
  • If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, a heavy-bottomed skillet works well too.
  • Adjust chili crisp amount according to your preferred spice level, adding more as garnish if desired.
  • Use either chicken breasts or thighs based on preference; thighs add more juiciness.
  • Vegetables are best cooked crisp-tender as they continue softening off heat.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg