Skip the takeout tonight, and create your favorite Chinese dish at home with this savory Kung Pao Chicken Recipe! Loaded with fresh peppers, green onions, and a kiss of pineapple for sweetness, this saucy symphony of flavors will have your tastebuds doing a happy dance! Just 6 easy ingredients and dinner is done!
Trust me, this Kung Pao chicken is packed with tasty gusto. With each rich and tender bite… you’ll experience a whole mouth sensory overload!
Katherine writes: "Amazing, just like take-out at home!"
The Kung Pao sauce bathes your chicken in a heavenly sweet heat… that finishes with a delightful tingle.
This chicken is also unapologetically impossible to stop eating. Once you’ve tasted that first bite, you’ll instinctively reach for a second and then a third. It really is that irresistible!
And not only is this Kung Pao chicken ridiculously delicious, it’s also a fabulously frugal alternative to the Panda Express Kung Pao chicken takeout. So skip the takeout this week, and take advantage of one of my most popular Copycat Restaurant Recipes instead.
Believe me, this Panda Express copycat recipe is such a cinch to make. You’ll need just 6 ingredients and 10 minutes for prep. Then your slow cooker takes over and does the rest!
Just like when you make this Slow Cooker General Tso Chicken, tongue tingling Sweet Chili Chicken, and copycat Panda Express Mandarin Chicken.
Who knew creating an authentic Kung Pao chicken could be so easy?!?
So be sure to save this recipe or have it emailed to you. Because this tasty chicken is sure to make you wildly popular in the kitchen this week!
Is Kung Pao Chicken Spicy?
Kung Pao sauce is fairly spicy. So to help make this recipe more kid friendly, I have toned down the spice level by adding pineapple jam (or preserves).
To further decrease the spice level, simply use less sauce, while also increasing the amount of pineapple jam.
To increase the spice level for a spicy Kung Pao chicken, try using less pineapple jam.
Ingredients
It takes just 6 simple ingredients to make the best recipe for Kung Pao chicken in your slow cooker!
Just add the following to your next grocery list, so you have everything on hand…
- Chicken – You can use fresh or thawed chicken.
- Panda Express Kung Pao Sauce
- Pineapple Jam or Preserves – To add the perfect hint of sweetness.
- Red Bell Pepper
- Green Bell Pepper
- Green Onions – For garnish.
Like so many of my Easy Crockpot Recipes, you’ll also need a 5 – 6 quart Crock Pot to prepare this simple 6 ingredient Kung Pao chicken recipe.
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Pin ItHow To Make Kung Pao Chicken
It’s actually SO easy to prepare this dreamy Kung Pao chicken Panda Express copycat in your slow cooker!
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. Cook the chicken in your crockpot, then drain and discard the juices.
2. Cube your chicken and bell peppers, then add back to the slow cooker.
3. Pour the sauce mixture over your chicken and continue cooking.
4. Once done, serve it topped with the optional chopped green onions.
That’s it. Just a few simple steps and you’re done! Kung Pao chicken recipes really don’t get much easier or tastier than this!
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Storage Tips
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Then, you can reheat the next day for another easy weeknight meal! That makes this recipe one of my favorite Chicken Meal Prep Ideas!
What to Serve with Kung Pao Chicken
Easy Asian Recipes like this slow cooked Panda Express Kung Pao chicken recipe go great with a variety of Delicious Dinner Sides.
Here are just a few of my favorites…
- White Rice
- Brown Rice
- Fried Rice
- Cauliflower Rice
- Udon Noodles
- Ramen Noodles Teriyaki
- Chow Mein
- Crab Rangoons
- Cream Cheese Rangoons
- Wontons dipped in this Wonton Dipping Sauce
- Egg Rolls
- Spring Rolls
- Sweet and Tangy Coleslaw
Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about this easy Panda Express Kung Pao chicken recipe…
One reader writes: “Such a delicious chicken recipe. Love it.”
Rebecca writes: “So good. I love that you can make it in the crockpot!”
Ashy writes: “Need to make again. Hubs loved it.”
Hannah writes: “One of the easiest crockpot recipes. Feeds a crowd, great flavor!!”
Katherine writes: “Amazing, just like take-out at home!”
Jessica writes: “We really enjoyed this with some rice and broccoli. My kids even ate it!”
Kathy writes: “Yummy and easy”
Sherri writes: “Love how easy it is to make this dish!”
Courtney writes: “It was super good. We used pineapple and apricot preserve. It didn’t disappoint. It was really spicy.”
More Asian Food Recipes for Dinner
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Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
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Sesame Chicken
Crockpot
Crockpot Orange Chicken
Appetizers
Teriyaki Meatballs
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Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
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Crock Pot Broccoli Beef Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Kung Pao Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, fresh or thawed
- 18.75 ounces Panda Express Kung Pao Sauce, (1 bottle)
- ¼ cup Pineapple Jam, or Preserves
- 1 Red Pepper
- 1 Green Pepper
- 4 Green Onions, chopped
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Cook chicken in Crockpot on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours. (covered)
- After 3 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW, drain juices from Crockpot.
- Remove chicken, slice and cube chicken, then return to Crockpot.
- Chop Red Pepper and Green Pepper, and set aside.
- Stir together Pineapple Preserves and Kung Pao Sauce in medium bowl.
- Pour sauce mixture over chicken in Crockpot, add chopped Peppers, then stir well.
- Cook on HIGH for 30 more minutes or until done. (covered)
- Serve over cooked White Rice, Brown Rice, or Fried Rice, and garnish with chopped Green Onions. ENJOY!
Notes
- Storage Tips: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Then, you can reheat the next day for another easy weeknight meal!
- FAQ’s: For answers to Frequently Asked Questions or tips for common substitutions and variations, please refer to the detailed information above this recipe card.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Yummy I love kung pao chicken and this recipe sounds so easy!!! I will definitely need to reference this when I make it. Thanks for sharing Heidi!
Aww… you’re very welcome, Christie! It’s the perfect way to skip takeout and make your favorite dish at home… slow cooker style! 🙂