Kung Pao Chicken is the ultimate stir fry experience. It is loaded with delicious peppers, scallions and peanuts in a sweet and salty, slightly spicy sauce that leaves you licking your plate. You really must try this amazing Kung Pao Chicken recipe.
We absolutely love stir fry around here. It is fun and easy to prepare and chock full of vegetables and lean meat. There are so many things that can you do with stir fry and it is amazingly easy. Oh and did I mention how delicious stir fry dishes are? Veggies just seem to taste so much better when they are cooked crisp-tender.
You can make stir fry at home for a fraction of the cost of take out and you are in control of the ingredients. How do you like those apples? This One Skillet Kung Pao Chicken is one of our favorites and oh so darn easy. Are you in a hurry? Are you and the family trying to catch a movie? Cut your veggies ahead of time and store in the fridge covered with slightly damp paper towels. I kid you not folks this delectable Kung Pao Chicken recipe will leave you longing for more!!
What is Kung Pao Chicken?
It is crisp-tender pieces of chicken, sweet red and green bell peppers, scallions, peanuts and chili peppers in a tasty salty, sweet sauce infused with just a tad of heat. It is perfect served over white rice, brown rice or udon noodles. Going low carb? Skip the rice or noodles because it is just as tasty without it.
Helpful hints when cooking stir fry!!
Here are some helpful hints for cooking this Kung Pao Chicken stir fry!
- Use oil with a high smoking point like canola, peanut or vegetable oil. Get the wok really hot.
- Don’t crowd the wok or skillet. Cook in batches and plate the veggies and meat.
- If your meat has a lot of moisture in it and it looks like your chicken or beef is boiling get the moisture out of the pan. You don’t want it to boil, you want it to stir fry.
- Cook the sauce last and add everything back to the pan for a quick warm up.
- Garlic can not be cooked at high heat as it will burn. Add it to wok with a larger group of vegetables that are done or almost done. Turn the heat down for thirty seconds and cook and then remove with rest of the veggies.
- Stir fry moves very fast and needs your full attention. This is not the time to call your bookie and place a bet.
We are huge stir fry fans around here! So many stir fry recipes and so little time. Here are some more excellent stir fry recipes for your enjoyment!
- The Best Spicy Beef Pepper Stir Fry
- Sesame Beef Stir Fry
- Beef Lo Mein
- Ginger Chicken Stir Fry
- Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
- Chicken Fried Rice
One Skillet Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken is the ultimate stir fry experience. It is loaded with delicious peppers, scallions and peanuts in a sweet and salty slightly spicy sauce. Make this favorite takeout dish at home for a delicious experience!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Main meal
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken skinless boneless chicken breasts or thighs cut in bite size pieces
- 2 tablespoons sherry
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 green pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 scallions cut in 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
- 6-8 dried chilies cut in half (see notes)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or sambal oelek
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In large Ziploc bag combine cut chicken, sherry, 2 tablespoons soy sauce and cornstarch. Allow to sit for 30 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to large skillet or wok and heat over high heat almost to smoking point. Remove chicken from Ziploc bag with tongs so excess liquid drains off and add chicken and cook until golden brown stirring frequently. If chicken is too crowded in pan work in small batches. Remove chicken to plate.
- Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to same large skillet or wok and heat over high heat almost to smoking point. Add red and green peppers and cook until crisp tender: about 3-4 minutes stirring frequently. Add scallions, peanuts, and dried chilies and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low. Add the minced garlic cooking for 1 minute and stirring constantly. Remove to plate.
- In small bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, sriracha and cornstarch. Cook in same skillet or wok over low heat until slightly thickened. Return chicken and vegetables to skillet or wok and warm for 1-3 minutes.
Notes
I use low sodium soy sauce for all my cooking.
Hoisin sauce, sesame oil. sriracha and sambel oelek can be found in the oriental section of most grocery stores.
Dried chilies are usually found in the Mexican section or fresh produce section with the other dried peppers.
I like to soak my dried chilies for about 30-60 minutes in lukewarm water to re hydrate them prior to cooking.
If you don’t like too much heat cut the chilies open and remove seeds prior to hydrating them or cooking with them.
Keywords: CHICKEN STIR FRY, DINNER, DRIED CHILI PEPPERS, GREEN BELL PEPPER, GREEN ONION, HOISIN SAUCE, KUNG PAO, PEANUTS, RED BELL PEPPER, SCALLIONS, SESAME OIL, STIR FRY
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Sheralyn
Can I leave out the Sherry or what could replace it?
Thank you
Beth Pierce
You can omit it if you want.
Marilyn
What kind of dried peppers do you use in this recipe? I have several kinds as my boyfriend is from El Salvador and we use them alot. This sounds so good I can’t wait to try this!
Beth Pierce
I usually pick up dried arbol chili peppers.
Debbie
I love this and wanted my son to try but he’s allergic to peanuts. Now, I can make it and sub peanuts with sunflower seeds or something similar. Thanks. Can’t wait to try this.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Debbie! Enjoy!
Katie
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try this one.
★★★★★
LAUREN KELLY
WOW! This is so much better than takeout. I have made this many times and its always delicious!
★★★★★
Matt Taylor
I love one skillet dishes and I love Chinese food. This Kung Pao chicken is on point, super yummy!
★★★★★
tiphany
hello, you mention garlic cannot be cooked at high heat. However, where is garlic in the recipe? It’s not listed in the ingredients menu and it’s not mentioned in the step-by-step cooking process.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Tiphany for the heads up. I had to pull my notes. There is garlic in it and the recipe has been fixed.
eli
I love how rich and filling this dish looks. It looks like the perfect kung pao chicken! Would love to make it someday
Candy Rachelle
This kung pao chicken looks flavorful. I will definitely give this recipe a try. My partner would love this for sure.
Beth Pierce
That is great. I hope you both enjoy it!!
Kalyan Panja
That look a mouthwatering and delicious Kung Pao chicken recipe. I would love to prepare them.
Natural Beauty And Makeup
This looks delicious and so colourful. I am so tempted to try this dish, I might add a few other items too in this recipe! Thanks for sharing this easy-pissy recipe ☺
Shannon Gurnee
This looks like a delicious recipe! I would love to try making this sometime.
Jacque Hooper
I love this dish! It’s a perfect balance of the peanuts and peppers! One of my all time favorites; can’t wait to make this over the weekend!
★★★★★
Yeah Lifestyle
This Kung Pao chicken looks so delicious, I love it but don’t have if often enough. My kids love this meal too.
★★★★★
Brianne
Kung Pao chicken is my favorite dish! I look forward to making this. It looks insanely good!
★★★★★
heather
One skillet meals are my favorite. I bet my kids would really love this meal.
Chad
I am literally drooling! I love chinese food so so much. I will dare and cook this one, i am scared but excited. Thanks a lot for sharing.
★★★★★
Rhonda Albom
Yum, this sounds fantastic. I am such a fan of stir frys. I didn’t realise you need to be careful about the type of oil you use, thank you for that tip.
Elaine
We love stir fry in my house too! It’s such a great way to have a good filling meal and use up all the leftover veggies from the week.
Holly
Added zuchinni and schezewan chili sauce, and a about 2 tsp. rice vinegar. Great recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! I am glad that you liked it! Great choices for additions! Yummy!
Leanne Hunnel
OMG………I want to have this tonight for dinner. So much better than take out. And you can control the salt intake. Love your recipes it’s been what I have been looking for in a web sight. Fun and easy recipes for family and entertaining. Thank you for sharing.
Beth Pierce
Yes indeed. So much better when you control the ingredients. Thanks so much for your kind words. It has been a crazy day with tech problems so this brings a smile to my face. Thank you again.
Terri Henning-Wallace
I am so impressed with your recipes!
I love it that you don’t use canned soups, processed foods etc….
everything is homemade and fresh
I’m so impressed!!
Newly-retired, you’ve become my exclusive go-to!
Thank you!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! I really appreciate all your kind words. I try to do my best. Have a wonderful day!!
Nancy
Irresistible recipes. Alway looking for new delicious ones You never fail
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your kind words!