Published 2/21/2021 • Updated 1/2/2024
Favorite 30 Minute Meal!
If you are looking for the perfect weeknight meal, you have to try this kung pao chicken recipe. There are only 10 ingredients and it seriously tastes like your favorite kung pao chicken take-out. All you have to do is cook up your chicken and green beans, mix up your sauce, mix the two together, and you have a kung pao chicken. So easy and so delicious.
What is Kung Pao Chicken?
Kung pao chicken is a spicy stir fry dish that is generally made with chili peppers or paste, some kind of sugar, chicken breast, and vegetables. Kung pao sauce is used with many different proteins like chicken, shrimp, and tofu. Not a meat-eater? You can also toss just vegetables with kung pao sauce for a vegetarian and vegan option just like our Kung Pao Quinoa Bowls. What does kung pao sauce taste like? It’s spicy (thank you red chiles!) and a tad sweet to tame things down.
Is this Kung Pao Chicken Healthy?
Kung Pao Chicken is a healthy meal idea made with lean protein, tons of veggies, and an easy kung pao sauce. This recipe is: Gluten Free: Our kung pao chicken recipe is made better for you and with more accessible ingredients! We wanted to keep things gluten free, which is why we used tamari instead of soy sauce. Clean Ingredient Spices: The heat in this recipe actually comes from sriracha and chili garlic paste (2 very accessible ingredients). Typically kung pao Is made with dried red chili peppers, but we’re using pantry staples instead. Natural Sweetener: Lastly, we’re using honey instead of table sugar in order to balance out the heat so your tastebuds can handle swallowing it!
Kung Pao Sauce Ingredients
Lucky for you our staple kung pao sauce is actually made from pantry staples! Check it out:
Minced garlic: Option to use pre-minced garlic or mince your own. Soy Sauce: soy sauce adds a nice tang and salt to this sauce. Feel free to use tamari or coconut aminos instead. Sesame oil: A little goes a long way. Sriracha: the more the merrier! Chili garlic paste: We’re using chili garlic paste in place of dried red chile peppers. Honey: Honey tames the heat in this sauce. The more you use, the less spicy it will be.
We like to add a little sweetness to our kung pao sauce, which is generally pretty spicy. We found that adding a little bit of honey goes a long way! If you are looking for a vegan option, try adding a little maple syrup or agave nectar. If you are a spicy food fan, try adding extra sriracha or chili paste!
What Else You Need
In addition to the the homemade kung pao sauce, you need just a few more things. Check it out. Thermoworks Thermapen
Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast is best for this recipe, but you can definitely use thighs, too! Olive oil: Also option to use coconut oil. Green beans: Pretty much any veggie would work. You could try broccoli, peppers, onions, or whatever you have on hand. Cornstarch: This is what will thicken your sauce at the very end. Option to skip this part!
Easy Swaps
Another great thing about this kung pao chicken recipe is that you can make changes very easily, depending on what you have on hand: Chicken: Not a carnivore? Swap with garbanzo beans or tofu! Veggies: Choose whatever veggies you want for this dish. Peanuts: Option to use cashews instead of peanuts.
What to Serve with Kung Pao Chicken
Stir fry always deserves to be served next to a grain. There are so many choices out there and here are some of our favs:
Quinoa: Make it in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop! Brown rice: Both short grain and long grain would be delish. White rice: White sticky rice or even minute rice is a great option. Fried rice: Try our vegetarian fried rice recipe or my personal fav, Instant Pot fried rice!
Stir Fry Recipes
Kung Pao Shrimp Healthy Orange Chicken Meal-Prep Vegetarian Kung Pao Quinoa Bowls Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli Chicken Stir Fry
