Kung Pao Chicken Stir-Fry

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

A spicy-sweet Chinese-inspired stir-fry with peanuts, bell peppers, and ginger. This Chinese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs boneless chicken breast, peanuts, bell peppers 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp minced ginger and 2 sliced bell peppers, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb chicken breast cut into 1/2-inch cubes and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sriracha, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Drizzle with 1 tbsp sesame oil and serve immediately over steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Kung Pao Chicken Stir-Fry take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Kung Pao Chicken Stir-Fry?

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 breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Kung Pao Chicken Stir-Fry?

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 Kung Pao Chicken Stir-Fry 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 Kung Pao Chicken Stir-Fry?

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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