Go Back
Easy Kung Pao Chicken

Easy Kung Pao Chicken

The ultimate comfort food! Easy Kung Pao Chicken packs a punch of flavor with tender chicken and crisp vegetables in a savory sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to be a family favorite. Make it tonight!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 10 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce divided
  • ½ teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 to 3 dried red chiles
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • 1 medium zucchini chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fat-free chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • cup chopped unsalted roasted peanuts

Equipment

  • Cutting Board
  • Baking Sheet
  • Skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Chef's Knife
  • Frying pan
  • Wooden Spoon

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, combine the chicken with 1 teaspoon of the soy sauce and the cornstarch. Marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. In the meantime, soak the dried chiles in hot water for a few minutes and when softened, chop. You can discard the seeds if you want it a little less spicy (I recommend keeping some of them in for a little spice!).
  3. Heat a wok or large sauté pan over high heat. When hot, swirl in the canola oil and add the chicken. Spread the chicken out all over the surface of the pan.
  4. Sear on both sides until lightly browned, but not cooked all the way through, about 4 minutes.
  5. Add the chiles, garlic, bell pepper and zucchini. Stir-fry until fragrant.
  6. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of the soy sauce, the stock and vinegar. Bring to a simmer and turn the heat to medium-low.
  7. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
  8. Top with roasted peanuts and serve.

Notes

  • Tip 1: If you are preparing this recipe as gluten-free, just be sure to use brands of soy sauce and broth that are known to be GF.
  • Tip 2: Switch out the zucchini with some snow peas, if you'd like.