Healthy Kung Pao Chicken

Kung pao chicken stir fry with vegetables and sauce in a skillet, ready to serve.

4.34 from 9 votes

A healthier twist on classic Kung Pao chicken made with tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a lightly sweet and spicy sauce. This easy stir fry comes together in just 25 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Chinese

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings:

Author: Brittany Mullins

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast chopped into chunks
1 Tablespoon sesame oil divided
4 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated or minced
1 bell pepper yellow, orange or red, chopped
2 green onions chopped
3 cups broccoli chopped
2 cups cooked brown rice for serving
crushed peanuts for serving (optional)

Sauce

¼ cup regular soy sauce or tamari
1-2 Tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons sambal oelek chili paste or sriracha
1 teaspoon arrowroot powder

Instructions

Make sauce by combining all ingredients in a small bowl.
Heat ½ Tablespoon sesame oil in a large sauté pan or wok. Once hot, add chicken, garlic and ginger and cook for 6-8 minutes until chicken is just cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.
In the same pan, add remaining oil, bell pepper, green onions, and broccoli and toss. Cook for 5 minutes or until broccoli is tender.
Add chicken and sauce to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens a bit. Turn off heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes.
Serve kung pao chicken and veggies over brown rice. Top with crushed peanuts and sriracha for more spice!

Notes

I like using 1 Tablespoon of honey but if you like things on the sweeter side you can add 2 Tablespoons.
You can use cornstarch instead of arrowroot powder if you'd like. You can also make the sauce without either. It will be a thinner sauce, but it still tastes just as good and it's perfect for drizzling over the plated dish.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition