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Kung Pao Chicken stir-fry with chicken, peanuts, bell peppers, and dried chilies in sauce.

Kung Pao Chicken

Make classic Kung Pao Chicken at home with this quick and flavorful Chinese stir-fry recipe. Loaded with chicken, crunchy peanuts, bell peppers, and a spicy-sweet sauce!
Servings 4
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs diced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce for marinade
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 1 tsp cornstarch for marinade

For the Sauce:

  • 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp cornstarch

Stir-Fry Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 6-8 dried red chilies
  • ½ tsp Sichuan peppercorns optional
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger minced
  • ½ red bell pepper chopped
  • ½ green bell pepper chopped
  • ¼ cup roasted unsalted peanuts
  • 2 green onions sliced

Instructions

  • Combine marinade ingredients and marinate the diced chicken for 15 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  • Add the marinated chicken. Cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  • Toss in garlic, ginger, and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly tender.
  • Pour in the sauce and cook until thickened, about 1–2 minutes.
  • Add the peanuts and green onions. Stir well and remove from heat.
  • Serve immediately over rice.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: 325
Carbohydrates: 16g (6% DV)
Protein: 27g (54% DV)
Fat: 18g (23% DV)
Saturated Fat: 3g (15% DV)
Cholesterol: 75mg (25% DV)
Sodium: 850mg (37% DV)
Fiber: 2g (7% DV)
Sugar: 6g
*Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and portion size.
Calories: 325kcal
Course: dinner, main dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Chinese stir fry chicken, easy kung pao chicken, homemade Chinese takeout, kung pao chicken, spicy chicken recipe