Photo of Kung Pao Chicken by WW

Kung Pao Chicken

4
Points® value
Total Time
30 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
10 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
Kung pao chicken is a spicy-sweet Chinese-restaurant favourite. Who knew it was so easy (and healthier) to make at home? Though kung pao chicken is typically seasoned with hard-to-find Szechuan peppercorns, we used pantry-staple crushed red pepper to add the heat.

Ingredients

Uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast

1 pound(s), cut into ½-inch chunks

Low sodium soy sauce

3 tbsp(s), divided

Rice wine vinegar

5 tsp(s), divided

Cornstarch

3 tsp(s), divided

Hoisin sauce

1 tbsp(s)

Ginger root

2 tsp(s), fresh, peeled, grated

Garlic

2 clove(s), large, finely chopped

Crushed red pepper flakes

¼ tsp(s), or more to taste

Canola oil

3 tsp(s), divided

Red bell pepper

1 large, cut into 1-inch pieces

Celery

2 stalk(s), medium, cut into ½-inch slices (1 cup)

Peanuts

cup(s), coarsely chopped

Scallions

2 medium, sliced

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp vinegar, and 1½ tsp cornstarch and toss to coat. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup water, hoisin, ginger, garlic, crushed red pepper, and remaining 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar, and 1½ tsp cornstarch. Set sauce aside.
  3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tsp oil over medium-high. Add chicken and cook, stirring often, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Heat remaining 1 tsp oil in same skillet. Add bell pepper and celery and cook, stirring often, until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in sauce and bring to a boil. Cook until sauce thickens, about 30 seconds. Add chicken, peanuts, and scallions and toss until heated through.
  5. Serving size: 1 cup