Best Ever Kung Pao Chicken

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery Chinese-American stir-fry with tender chicken, peanuts, and a sweet-savory sauce for maximum flavor. This chinese-inspired quick meals ready in about 40 minutes pairs cubed chicken breast, chopped peanuts, large, julienned bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 3.6 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp chili flakes, and 2 tbsp cornstarch. Toss 1 lb cubed chicken in the mixture until coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a wok over high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same wok, add 1 tbsp sesame oil and sauté 1 large bell pepper and 1/2 cup snow peas for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to the wok, add 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp sugar, and stir to coat. Toss in 1/2 cup chopped peanuts and cook for 2 minutes until toasted.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 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 Ever 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 cubed chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Best Ever 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 Ever 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 Ever Kung Pao Chicken?

Chinese quick meals 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes