Let me say, that when I decided to make this I had no idea what really goes in Kung Pao Chicken. I just saw a bottle of the sauce in Walmart and bought it. The rest was decided by what I had on hand.
The result turned out delicious. The Kung Pao sauce had just enough spice to lend and interesting kick. I used chicken that I had already grilled, sliced and frozen, so it was quick to make.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 – 1 1/2 lbs. cooked chicken breast (I used sliced, grilled chicken)
- 1 bunch broccoli, chopped
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- vegetable oil
- 1 bottle Kung Pao sauce (I used Panda Express)
- hot cooked rice
Thaw chicken in the microwave, if you’ve got some frozen. Otherwise, cook some chicken.
In a large skillet, cook the broccoli and red pepper over medium-high heat for several minutes. Stir often. Add chicken and Kung Pao sauce. Turn heat down and let it finish heating while the rice finishes cooking.
Serves 6-8
Small disclaimer: The Panda Express people don’t know me, I just happen to like their sauce. I’ve never even been to one of their restaurants (I think it’s a restaurant, right?). I buy it because it’s good and they carry it at Walmart, another group of people who don’t know me, I just happen to shop in their store.
Now, for those of you who know what’s really supposed to be in Kung Pao Chicken, please leave a comment and enlighten me! I may try to make it the proper way next time.
Sounds great, but not how I get it in typical Chinese restaurants. There is almost always peanuts, diced celery, diced water chestnuts, and those small, red, dried peppers. I love Kung Pao Chicken! I will look for that sauce at Walmart. Blessings!
I’m pretty sure my dad ordered Kung Pao Chicken the last time we went out for Chinese, and there were peanuts sprinkled over the top. Other than that, I have no idea what’s in it. 🙂
Don’t you just LOVE those sauces from Panda Express? First, I LOVE that restaurant. I also love their Orange Chicken sauce that I, too, buy at Walmart. I’m pretty sure it was because you had a “cheater” recipe posted for Orange Chicken once. I make it several times a month. 🙂
Kung Pao chicken normally has onions, carrots, celery and peanuts. The carrots and celery are diced to about the same size as a peanut. If you use cashews instead of peanuts, it’s cashew chicken.
This is a perfect weeknight dinner, chicken, veggies and rice. After reading the comments, peanuts on top wold be a nice touch.
I tried this and it was fantastic! If you make the sauce from scratch it has vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, , wine…blah blah blah. The bottled stuff taste great and its fast. I did add roasted peanuts on top – a nice touch.
I believe PF Chang’s uses cashews in their kung pao.
For what it’s worth. If that’s your idea of authenticity, go with it.
I had all these ingredients so whipped this up. It was really good. I had brown rice tho.
Karen
Here is the Panda Express recipe in case you wanted to try it out.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/PandaExpressWebsite/files/pdf/Bottled-Sauce-Recipes/Kung+Pao+Sauce+Recipe.pdf
I should have looked at your site first! I have a bottle of sauce, and made a whole chicken yesterday. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around assembling it together. Thank you!