This easy dish is perfect served over rice and garnished with green onions!

What is Kung Pao Chicken?

Kung Pao chicken is a sweet and spicy stir-fry dish that originated in the Szechuan province of China. It’s made with chunks of chicken, veggies, peanuts, and of course, chili peppers (add a little or a lot).

Kung Pao chicken is a full meal in itself and chock-full of fresh veggies and tender chicken. This homemade, stir fry can be on the table in less than an hour. Perfect for a busy weeknight!

What is Kung Pao Sauce?

This is the best recipe for Kung Pao sauce because it can be made as mild or spicy as you like it!

Tangy and full of flavor, this sauce is chock full of savory ingredients like soy sauce, chicken stock, and Hoisin, all blended together in one multi-purpose sauce! Perfect on rice and noodles, too!

Spicy or Mild

This recipe uses chili flakes as most kitchens have them on hand but you can add your favorite chilies. Add a little or a lot.

How to Make Kung Pao Chicken

  • Marinate chicken, and whisk together sauce ingredients (per the recipe below).
  • Cook chicken about three-quarters of the way through and remove from skillet.
  • Cook veggies adding the chicken and sauce back to the pan until sauce is thickened and chicken is cooked through.

Top with peanuts and green onions, and serve over a bed of rice or noodles.

What to Serve With It

This easy dish can be made as spicy or mild as you like and is perfect served over a bed of white rice or noodles!

How to Thicken Stir Fry Sauce

  • If your stir-fry sauce is too thin, just make a slurry to thicken it up!
  • The ratio for a slurry is 1:1, equal parts water and cornstarch.
  • Mix water and cornstarch together first, then add the slurry to Kung Pao sauce while whisking.

For some extra veggies add Sesame Ginger Bok Choy or Stir Fry Veggies.

Satisfying Stir-Fry Recipes

  • Easy Ramen Stir Fry – great weeknight meal!
  • Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
  • Easy Beef Stir Fry – full of flavor!
  • Shrimp Stir Fry – quick and healthy
  • Easy Pepper Chicken Stir Fry

Kung Pao Chicken

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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