Pin it
Spicy Kung Pao noodles with chicken turn boring weeknight meals into a flavor party that balances sweet, hot, and savory tastes perfectly. My family can't get enough of this dish that brings restaurant-worthy food right to your table, mixing juicy chicken with soft noodles in a sauce so good you'll want to lick your plate clean.
I've whipped this up so many times now it's my number one choice when friends come over. I love how the sauce sticks to every noodle, giving you amazing flavor with each bite, just like what I'd expect at my favorite Asian spots.
Key Components
- Rice noodles: They're the backbone that soaks up all the yummy sauce while staying nice and chewy
- Fresh chicken breast: Gives you protein that turns super tender after sitting in our flavor mix
- Natural peanut butter: Makes the sauce extra thick and gives that true Kung Pao taste you're after
- Green onions: Add a fresh kick and make everything look prettier with their bright green color
- High-quality tamari or soy sauce: Brings that can't-miss savory punch that makes you want more
Crafting Your Kung Pao Delight
- Get Your Chicken Ready:
- Start by cutting chicken into same-size chunks so they'll all finish cooking at the same time.
- Soak the Chicken:
- Mix up tamari, honey and chili paste, then let your chicken sit in this tasty bath for at least 15 minutes.
- Sort Out the Noodles:
- While waiting, get water boiling in a big pot and toss in some salt to make your noodles taste better.
- Fire Up Your Pan:
- Get your wok or big pan super hot until you can barely hold your hand above it.
- Brown the Chicken:
- Toss in your soaked chicken and cook till it's golden all over with some tasty dark spots.
- Whip Up the Sauce:
- Stir together tamari, peanut butter, brown sugar and your favorite spices until they're smooth.
- Boil Those Noodles:
- Cook just until they're soft but still have some bite since they'll cook more in the sauce.
- Throw It All Together:
- Put everything in your hot wok and toss it around so the sauce coats every bit of food.
Pin it
At our house, we make this every Thursday night. My kids love to help mix the sauce, and seeing them smile when they take their first bite makes all the cooking worth it.
Perfect Side Dishes For Your Asian Meal
Make dinner extra special by adding a cool cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil on the side. Throw in some steamed edamame with sea salt sprinkled on top for an authentic touch. Want to go all out? Start with small cups of miso soup to warm up everyone's appetite before the main star arrives.
Ways To Switch Things Up
Try tossing in whatever veggies are in season like crunchy sugar snap peas during spring or sweet baby corn in summer. Love seafood? Swap out chicken for juicy shrimp or scallops but watch your cooking time. Going meatless? Crispy tofu cubes work great with extra mushrooms for a meaty feel. Want it saucier? Just make half again as much sauce. A spoonful of oyster sauce can really punch up the flavor too.
Saving It For Later
Put leftover noodles in a sealed container with parchment paper between portions so they don't stick together. They'll stay good in the fridge for three days. When you want to eat them again, splash a bit of water on top and warm them in a hot pan instead of the microwave. This keeps them from getting mushy and lets you add more seasoning if needed.
Grow Your Own Ingredients
Nothing beats using Thai basil, green onions, and chili peppers you grew yourself. Garden-fresh herbs make everything taste brighter than store-bought stuff. Even a few pots on your windowsill can give you fresh flavors all year for your Asian cooking adventures.
Pin it
After making this hundreds of times in my kitchen, I've learned that respecting each ingredient while adding your own twist makes this dish special. What I love about Kung Pao chicken noodles is how you can change it up but still keep what makes it so darn good in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of noodles work best in this recipe?
- Brown rice udon or regular rice noodles are top picks, but regular spaghetti works too. Pretty much any long noodle will taste great.
- → How spicy is this dish?
- It's medium-hot with 2 tablespoons of chili paste and some red pepper flakes. You can skip the pepper flakes if you want it milder.
- → Can I prep any parts of this recipe ahead?
- For sure! You can soak the chicken in the marinade for up to 2 hours before cooking and get all your sauce ingredients ready ahead of time. Just throw everything together when you're ready to cook.
- → What vegetables go well with this dish?
- Bell peppers and broccoli are awesome additions. You can also toss in some carrots, snap peas, or any veggies you'd normally use in a stir-fry.
- → Is there a substitute for peanut butter?
- If you can't eat peanuts, try almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead. They'll give you a different but still really tasty flavor.