Best Choice Kung Pao Chicken

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery, nutty stir-fry with tender chicken, peanuts, and a sweet-savory sauce for a restaurant-quality dish at home. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, peanuts, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim and cut 1.5 lbs chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes. Marinate in 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp ginger for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a wok over high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until golden, then set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same wok, add 1 medium red bell pepper and 1 tbsp soy sauce. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to the wok. Add 1 tbsp sriracha, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp soy sauce. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
  5. Step 5: Toss in 1/2 cup peanuts and stir until toasted. Serve immediately with rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Best Choice Kung Pao Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Best Choice Kung Pao Chicken?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Best Choice Kung Pao Chicken?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Best Choice Kung Pao Chicken for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Best Choice Kung Pao Chicken?

Chinese chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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