How to Make Healthier Kung Pao Chicken - A Step-by-Step Guide

Healthier Kung Pao Chicken is a delicious and nutritious twist on the classic Chinese takeout dish. This recipe offers all the bold flavors and textures of the original, but with a healthier spin. Loaded with tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a savory, slightly spicy sauce, this dish is sure to become a new favorite for your dinner rotation.

Traditional Kung Pao Chicken is typically made with deep-fried chicken pieces and a sugary, high-calorie sauce. In this healthier version, we'v...

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Ingredients

  • 5 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dry sherry
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 4 teaspoons canola oil
  • 4 dried red chile peppers, seeded, broken into small pieces
  • 4 green onions cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped bok choy cabbage
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh gingerroot
  • ¼ cup chopped, unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
  • 1 ⅓ cups hot cooked brown rice

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Additional Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Stir together 2 teaspoons soy sauce, the sherry, and sesame oil in a bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and let marinate at room temperature 20 minutes. Meanwhile, stir together water, rice vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, and remaining 3 teaspoons soy sauce; set aside.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir-fry chicken until nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken. Add chile peppers, green onions, and remaining 2 teaspoons canola oil to skillet; stir-fry 1 minute. Add bok choy and ginger; stir-fry 1 minute more. Add chicken and soy sauce mixture; cook until bubbling. Sprinkle with peanuts and serve with rice.
  • Nutrition

    334 cal.

    • Total Fat: 15g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 59mg
    • Sodium: 311mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 24g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 27g
    • Vitamin C: 19mg
    • Calcium: 71mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 401mg