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+ servings

Panda Express Copycat Kung Pao Chicken Recipe

A delicious and spicy stir-fry dish featuring chicken, peanuts, and vegetables, inspired by the popular Panda Express menu item.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Marinade
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce for marinade
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch for marinade
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar for marinade
Sauce
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp water
Vegetables and Peanuts
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup zucchini diced
  • 1 cup green onions sliced
  • 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil for cooking
  • 1 tsp dried red chili flakes adjust to taste

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with soy sauce, cornstarch, and rice vinegar. Mix well and let marinate for 10 minutes.
Make the Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, cooking wine, water, sesame oil, and cornstarch mixture. Set aside.
Stir-Fry
  1. Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and stir-fry until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add bell pepper, zucchini, and dried red chili flakes. Stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  3. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  4. Add peanuts and green onions, stir to combine, and cook for 1 more minute.
Serve
  1. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer chili flakes. You can also substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option.

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