Gong Bao Chicken with Peanuts and Dried Red Chilies

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

A classic spicy and sweet stir-fried chicken dish with crunchy peanuts and aromatic dried chilies, balanced by a tangy sauce. This Chinese recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced, cornstarch, peanuts, roasted unsalted for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 cup peanuts, roasted unsalted
• 10 dried red chilies, halved and seeds removed
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp water

The wok we’d stir-fry this in → Best Woks for 2026: Carbon Steel, Nonstick & Flat-Bottom Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb diced boneless skinless chicken thighs with 2 tbsp cornstarch until pieces are evenly coated.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, 1 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 tbsp water to make the sauce.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add 10 dried red chilies and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
4. Step 4: Add the coated chicken pieces and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Step 6: Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir well, cooking for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
7. Step 7: Add 1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts and 3 chopped green onions, tossing to combine.
8. Step 8: Finish by drizzling 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir-fry, then serve hot with steamed rice.