Kung Pao Chicken and Vegetables

Do you remember that Szechuan Chicken Stir-Fry recipe I posted not too long ago? Well, I have a follow up recipe to share with you today that's so good, you must promise me you'll make it.

This one takes a little more prep work because of the extra vegetables but it's just as fast if not quicker to cook.

Perfect for when you're in a dinner rut. This will add some tasty zest to your palate.

I recieved such wonderful feedback from you all on my Szechuan Chicken recipe. I had people asking me for more similar recipes! Excellent! I love hearing from you guys so don't hesitate to ask me if there's something you'd like to see on the blog. Keep the great comments coming :)

Now back this dish.

This Kung Pao Chicken packs flavour in spades. I think it's safe to say it could rival any bought from your favourite restaurant. I've made this recipe a few times now and we all loved it. It's like going out for dinner and taking a vacation from typical healthy eating, but really, it's super healthy and clean.

When I set out to make this dish, I made sure to add loads of fresh veggies to the ingredient list. The fresh veggies really help bump-up the vitmain count.

I mean just check out those wild vibrant colours! It is enough to make your mouth water!

This Chinese dish will rival the best kung pao chicken you've ever had from a take-out restaurant. It could become a fast and easy weeknight favorite. Especially when it only takes 20 minutes to cook.

Kung Pao Chicken & Vegetables

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 2 tbsp olive oil or sunflower oil, divided
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup kale, stems removed, and chopped roughly 
• 1 cup red Swiss chard (large stems removed), leaves cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 yellow or green zucchini, sliced 
• 1/2 cup carrots, sliced on an angle
• 1/2 cup snow peas
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup roasted unsalted peanuts
• 1 1/2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
• 2 green onions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
• 2 tsp rice vinegar
• 2 cups cooked brown jasmine rice, or quinoa

Instructions

Heat oil in a large non stick skillet on medium-high. Add bell pepper, kale, red chard, broccoli, zucchini, carrots and snow peas, and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften and everything is almost cooked, about 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a plate and place in the oven on low to keep warm.

Heat remaining tablespoon of oil on medium-high. Add red pepper flakes, chicken and peanuts and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup water, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, onions and rice vinegar. Stir the mixture into chicken and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink inside. Return cooked vegetables to the skillet and give everything a good stir. Serve over top of rice, dividing evenly among 4 bowls.

Szechuan Chicken Stir-Fry

How can you take a favourtie weeknight staple and turn it into something with a fresh new twist?

Easy! I'll show you how with this new recipe.

And yes... we're talking chicken today. It's one of the most common protein sources of a clean eating diet and for weight lifters alike (if you're a meat eater). It's lean and provides important proteins for muscle growth while being relativley low in caloric content when compared to others. I know it can get pretty boring eating chicken breast so often. When that happens to me I either go for a vegan option and/or come up with a new tasty way to cook chicken using fresh herbs and spices as my main source of flavour.

This is a fresh new way to take on your weeknight chicken dinner. It's got all the tasty flavours of Chinese take-out and it's way easier to make than you might think! It's also way healthier and faster!

Szechuan cusine is typically spicy and hot, however that's not always the case. This recipe has a nice zip of heat to it thanks to the chili paste and fresh ginger. You can always tone it down a notch if you'd like a little less heat. For example, instead of 2 teaspoons of chili paste you can cut that back to 1, or a 1/2 teaspoon if you really like things mild or don't like heat. Whatever you prefer!

This is such an easy and quick chicken dish to make on a weeknight.

Served overtop of a steaming hot bowl of quinoa for a complete meal. Clean eating at it's best!

Szechuan Chicken Stir-Fry

Cook Time: about 30 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil, divided
• 1/2 cup fat-free no salt added chicken broth
• 1 tablespoons low sodium tamari (or soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 - 2 teaspoons chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
• 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 cup sliced snow peas
• 1/2 cup onion, sliced vertically
• 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup unsalted peanut halves (optional)

Instructions

Set oven to 175˚F and place 4 bowls or plates to warm.

In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons sesame oil, chicken broth, tamari, rice vinegar, chili paste, and arrowroot powder. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 1/2 tablespoon olive oil; swirl to coat the pan. Add chicken and stir-fry for 2 - 4 minutes, until no longer pink. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to the pan; swirl. Add red + yellow bell peppers and next 4 ingredients (through garlic); stir-fry 3 minutes. Add broth mixture, stir, and cook 30 seconds until thick. Return chicken to the pan; cook 4 minutes or until chicken is done.

Spoon 1/2 cup cooked quinoa into each of the 4 separate warmed bowls. Divide the stir fry mix between the bowls (about 1 cup) and garnish with sliced green onions, and peanuts.

Note

Feel free to cut back on the chili paste if you prefer less heat. Instead of a full 2 teaspoons try 1/2 - 1 teaspoon. You can also cut the ginger down to 1/2 tablespoon for less heat as well. Just remember if your cutting down on either ingredient that they both add to the overall flavour of the dish.