How to Make Perfect Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal? Panda Express kung pao chicken has you covered with their classic dish. This stir-fry is made with diced chicken, bell peppers, and onions in a spicy sauce. It’s perfect for those who love Chinese food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. So fire up the wok and get cooking!

Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Is Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken your go-to takeout meal? If you’re wanting to make a homemade version that’s just as delicious and ready in under 20 minutes, then this recipe is for you! This dish has tender pan seared chicken breast that’s been marinated so it stays juicy and moist. Next is a flavorful kung pao sauce that’s spicy, sweet & sour, and savory. Then it’s all tossed together with crunchy chopped vegetables and served with freshly steamed rice.

Read more: mushroom chicken panda express

What Does Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken Taste Like?

stir-fried kung pao chicken is a delightful balance of sweet and sour, savory, and spicy flavors in one dish. In its traditional form, kung pao chicken includes only chicken, leeks, chilis, and peanuts. However westerners have since adapted the dish to include other vegetables such as zucchini or bell peppers like this version does. Also included in this stir fry are flavorful kung pao sauce that ties all the ingredients together perfectly; spiciness can be added through fresh or dried chili peppers according to taste..

What is Kung Pao sauce made of?

Kung Pao sauce is a soy sauce-based condiment with sweet and sour flavors. The primary ingredients in Kung Pao sauce are:

dark soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili peppers.

How to Make Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Igredient:

1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

salt and pepper to taste

6-9 dried chili peppers, optional

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 onion, chopped

3 green onions, white and green parts

Instruction:

The key to making this kung pao chicken dish is to first marinate the chicken. This will help ensure that the chicken is moist and juicy. Then you’ll want to cook the chicken until it’s slightly browned and just cooked through. Be sure to not overcook the chicken or it will become dry.

Next, you’ll make the kung pao sauce. This is a quick and easy sauce to make with just a few ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Simply whisk all of the ingredients together until the sugar has dissolved.

Lastly, you’ll add the sauce to the pan with the chicken and vegetables. Be sure to cook everything until the sauce has thickened and coats all of the ingredients. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

This panda express kung pao chicken recipe is:

-Quick & easy

-Ready in under 20 minutes

-A balance of sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors

-Marinated chicken breast that’s juicy and moist

-A flavorful kung pao sauce

-Tossed with crunchy chopped vegetables

-Served with steamed rice

If you’re looking for an easy Panda Express copycat recipe that’s just as delicious and ready in no time, then this Kung Pao Chicken is for you!

What type of pepper is in Kung Pao Chicken?

This recipe uses dried Szechuan chili peppers as the base, with Lao Gan Ma being an optional ingredient. The spice level of the dish will depend on how Mild to Moderate the chosen dried peppers are. It’s important not to confuse these with Szechuan peppercorns though, as they create a numbing sensation rather than adding heat.

What’s the difference between Kung Pao Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken?

The main difference between Kung Pao Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken is that Kung Pao Chicken is a stir-fry while General Tso’s Chicken is deep-fried. They also have different flavor profiles, with Kung Pao being more savory with a balance of sweet and sour, while General Tso’s is sweeter with a slightly tangy flavor. Finally, Kung Pao Chicken typically includes vegetables while General Tso’s does not.

Kung pao chicken is not deep fried and has a more intense sauce than General Tso’s chicken, which is usually deep fried with a sweeter but less spicy sauce.

Is Kung Pao chicken healthy?

While Kung Pao Chicken is not the healthiest dish, it can be made healthier by using leaner cuts of chicken and avoiding the deep fryer. This particular recipe is a stir-fry, which uses less oil than deep frying and helps to retain more nutrients in the vegetables. In addition, using fresh chili peppers will add vitamins and antioxidants to the dish.

This version of kung pao chicken uses lean chicken breast and allows you to control how much sauce is added, unlike the restaurant version. You can also add a variety of fresh vegetables for extra fiber and vitamins. This dish is kept on the lighter side by reducing the amount of sauce used. Though there will be less calories, it will still taste great as the sauce contains some sugar and oil.

TOP 15 FAQs :

How spicy is Panda Express kung pao chicken?

Panda Express kung pao chicken is a balance of sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors. The spice level will depend on the type of chili pepper used. For a milder dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Mild to Moderate. For a spicier dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Hot.

Is Kung Pao chicken from Panda white meat?

Yes, Kung Pao chicken from Panda Express is white meat chicken.

Is Kung Pao chicken gluten free?

No, Kung Pao chicken from Panda Express is not gluten free as the sauce contains soy sauce. However, this recipe for Kung Pao Chicken is gluten free as it uses tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce.

What sides go with Kung Pao Chicken?

Kung Pao Chicken goes well with steamed rice, lo mein noodles, or fried rice.

Is Kung Pao chicken good for you?

While Kung Pao Chicken is not the healthiest dish, it can be made healthier by using leaner cuts of chicken and avoiding the deep fryer. This particular recipe is a stir-fry, which uses less oil than deep frying and helps to retain more nutrients in the vegetables. In addition, using fresh chili peppers will add vitamins and antioxidants to the dish.

What are Kung Pao chicken made of?

Kung Pao chicken is typically made with chicken, vegetables, and a sauce that contains soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chili peppers.

What does kung pao sauce taste like?

Kung Pao sauce is a balance of sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors. The spice level will depend on the type of chili pepper used. For a milder dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Mild to Moderate. For a spicier dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Hot.

Is Kung Pao chicken the same as sweet and sour?

No, Kung Pao chicken is not the same as sweet and sour chicken. Sweet and sour chicken is typically deep fried and coated in a sauce that is primarily sweet with a slightly sour tang. Kung Pao chicken is a stir-fry that uses a sauce that is balance of sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors.

Which is hotter General Tso or kung pao?

Kung Pao chicken is typically spicier than General Tso’s chicken as it uses fresh chili peppers in the sauce. The spice level will depend on the type of chili pepper used. For a milder dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Mild to Moderate. For a spicier dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Hot.

Is Kung Pao chicken white or dark meat?

Kung Pao chicken can be made with either white or dark meat chicken. This recipe uses lean chicken breast, but you could also use thigh meat if you prefer.

Is Kung Pao chicken a Szechuan dish?

Yes, Kung Pao chicken is a dish from Szechuan province in China. It is a stir-fry that uses a sauce that is balance of sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors. The spice level will depend on the type of chili pepper used. For a milder dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Mild to Moderate. For a spicier dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Hot.

Do you eat the peppers in Kung Pao chicken?

The peppers in Kung Pao chicken are typically used for flavor and heat, but you can eat them if you like. The spice level will depend on the type of chili pepper used. For a milder dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Mild to Moderate. For a spicier dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Hot.

Is panda Kung Pao chicken healthy?

While Kung Pao chicken is not the healthiest dish, it can be made healthier by using leaner cuts of chicken and avoiding the deep fryer. This particular recipe is a stir-fry, which uses less oil than deep frying and helps to retain more nutrients in the vegetables. In addition, using fresh chili peppers will add vitamins and antioxidants to the dish.

Is Kung Pao chicken the same as orange chicken?

No, Kung Pao chicken is not the same as orange chicken. Orange chicken is typically deep fried and coated in a sauce that is primarily sweet with a slightly sour tang. Kung Pao chicken is a stir-fry that uses a sauce that is balance of sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors. The spice level will depend on the type of chili pepper used. For a milder dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Mild to Moderate. For a spicier dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Hot.

What are the red peppers in Kung Pao?

The red peppers in Kung Pao chicken are typically dried chili peppers. The spice level will depend on the type of chili pepper used. For a milder dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Mild to Moderate. For a spicier dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Hot.

Conclusion:

Panda express kung pao chicken sauce is a balance of sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors. The spice level will depend on the type of chili pepper used. For a milder dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Mild to Moderate. For a spicier dish, use a dried chili pepper that is rated Hot.