This recipe is a spinoff from my Kung Pao Cauliflower. I loved it so much and knew that most people would probably be into a chicken version. Both are great and I can make a meal out of either one, even the cauliflower version!
What Is Kung Pao Chicken?
The chicken is tender and juicy with crisp-tender red bell peppers, topped with crunchy peanuts, green onions, and a thick kung pao sauce. I’m not lying when I said it’s better-than-takeout. It’s salty and savory with a touch of sweetness from brown sugar and a hint of acid from rice vinegar. It’s so good I could spoon it over everything. This recipe makes plenty of sauce and extra sauce is perfect over rice. This healthier-than-takeout kung pao chicken recipe is salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy, all rolled into one. It will be a family favorite in no time and is perfect for busy weeknights.
Kung Pao Chicken Ingredients
The kung pao sauce recipe is very simple with just a handful ingredients. All of the ingredients are available at most mainstream grocery stores in the ethnic or Asian section. To make the kung pao chicken sauce, you’ll need:
Hoisin sauce Soy sauce Brown sugar Rice vinegar (or substitute with another vinegar) Chili garlic sauce Sesame oil Cornstarch
For the rest of the dish, you’ll need:
Chicken breasts Red bell pepper Olive oil Chopped peanuts and green onions (for garnish)
Tip: The full ingredients list (with measurements) can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
How to Make Kung Pao Chicken
The great thing about this easy kung pao chicken is that it’s definitely healthier than a Chinese restaurant or take-out would be, and it’s gluten-free. If you are extremely gluten-sensitive or preparing this for people who are, make sure you read the labels and select gluten-free products, notably the hoisin and soy sauces! Here’s how the recipe comes together:
Tips for the Best Kung Pao Chicken
The great thing about the kung pao chicken sauce is that you can customize it to be as mild or spicy as you prefer by altering the amount of chili garlic sauce you use. I used 3 tablespoons and our chicken was pretty spicy, but we adore spicy food. We put the pow in pao. Anything kung pao for us needs to have that pow but adjust the heat level to your liking by playing with the chili garlic sauce. For the average person, I would go with 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce, see how the sauce tastes, and work up from there.
Is Kung Pao Chicken Spicy?
Yes! The sauce is meant to be spicy. However, this particular recipe is “flavorful spicy” and not “burn your mouth off spicy.” You can make the sauce more or less spicy adjusting the amount of chili garlic sauce in the recipe.
How Long Does Kung Pao Chicken Last?
This copycat Chinese kung pao chicken will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Can I Double This Recipe?
Very easily! As written, the recipe yields 4 servings. You can double all the ingredients and follow the directions as written to make 8 servings.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your better-than-takeout Chinese kung pao chicken with one or more of the following sides:
Rice (brown, white, or cauliflower rice) Steamed or roasted broccoli Fresh Spring Rolls Cauliflower Fried Rice (omit the chicken) Classic Fried Rice (omit the chicken) Sweet and Sour Asian Noodles
More Easy Asian Recipes:
ALL OF MY ASIAN RECIPES! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Kung Pao Cauliflower — An EASY recipe that has salty-sweet-tangy-spicy flavors all in one!! Don’t call for takeout when you can make this HEALTHY dish at home in 20 minutes! You won’t believe how AUTHENTIC it tastes!! Better-Than-Takeout Sticky Chicken – Stop calling for takeout or going to the mall food court and make this AMAZING sticky chicken at home in 15 minutes!! So EASY with the perfect balance of sweet and spicy with plenty of sticky sauce!! Skinny 15-Minute Sesame Chicken and Broccoli – Skip takeout and make this Asian favorite at home in just minutes!! So EASY and HEALTHIER than what you’d get in a restaurant but tastes just as AWESOME!! Healthier Orange Chicken – Stop calling for takeout or going to the mall food court and make this HEALTHIER orange chicken at home in less than 10 minutes!! EASY, authentic, and so INCREDIBLE that you’ll never miss the fat and calories!! 15-Minute Skillet Sesame Chicken with Broccoli – Healthier sesame chicken that isn’t breaded or fried! You won’t miss the fat or calories in this fast and easy version that’s loaded with Asian-inspired flavors! You can happily skip takeout now! 15-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken — Fast, EASY, perfectly SPICY chicken that’s so tender and juicy! Who needs takeout or a restaurant when you can make this AWESOME chicken at home in 15 minutes? Better-Than-Takeout Cashew Chicken – Juicy chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and crunchy cashews coated with the best garlicky soy sauce! Skip takeout and make your own restaurant-quality meal that’s easy, ready in 20 minutes, and healthier! Easy Better-Than-Takeout Chicken Fried Rice – One-skillet, ready in 20 minutes, and you’ll never want takeout again after tasting how good homemade is! Way more flavor, not greasy, and loads of juicy chicken! Easy Spicy-And-Sweet Glazed Chicken – Perfectly spicy with just the right amount of sweetness in this EASY, super flavorful recipe that leave you wanting more!! Crispy skin on the outside, juicy and tender inside, and so GOOD!!
