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
Crockpot
Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Crockpot
Sesame Chicken
Crockpot
Crockpot Orange Chicken
Appetizers
Teriyaki Meatballs
Crockpot
Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Crockpot
Beef and Broccoli 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!
Very tasty! I also fresh pineapple chunks towards the end of the recipe. My only challenge was finding a store that sold pineapple preserves.
Hi Glenna ~ so glad to hear you liked it! I typically buy my pineapple preserves from Walmart… hope that helps!
How spicy is this recipe?
Hi Carina ~ it’s definitely on the spicier side. If you’re looking for something a little less spicy, there are several more Asian Crockpot Recipes listed here: https://thefrugalgirls.com/category/asian-recipes
Hope that helps! 😉
Your meals for the crock pot are the best thing ever …..Please keep them coming…..I love them!
Aww ~ thanks so much for the sweet comment, Jana! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Crock Pot recipes!! I’ve got many more coming soon, so so stay tuned!! 🙂
this was amazing!!!!! I can’t get over how easy it was! I added some chopped onion to ours and peanuts! Everyone had seconds and my husband was thrilled there was some left overs for lunch tomorrow! Thanks for posting!
You’re very welcome, Jessica… I’m so glad everyone loved it! The chopped onions and peanuts sound like delicious additions, too… YUM! 🙂
How Do I cook the chicken? I only put it in there or do I need some herbs????
Hi Angelli ~ you’ll just cook the chicken by itself for the first 3 hours… nothing else is required, as it will end up cooking in its own juices. Hope that helps! 🙂
This was delicious!!! Easily a replacement for ordering Chinese. And much much cheaper than Chinese To Go for 6!!!
I added onions and celery since I had both and always looking for ways to add extra veggies. Someone mentioned adding peanuts. I thought that sounded good but then neglected to get them while at the store.
I cooked the chicken the night before, cut it up into pieces, placed into Gladware along with the rest of the ingredients overnight. Threw into the crockpot together the next day while preparing the rice. (I prefer to cook multiple items while in the kitchen). The veggies still had some crunch which I prefer. My son said the exact opposite. If it were cooked longer or if the veggies were cooked before hand, it would make them softer.
It is a lovely meal and one I will use frequently! I can’t wait to try more from you girls!!
Thank you for sharing them!!
Blessings!!
Nicole
I’m so glad you liked it, Nicole! Isn’t it SO yummy? 😉
This was very delicious! I couldn’t find pineapple preserves so I used orange marmalade and found it to be a great substitute.
Great tip… thanks so much for sharing!
I couldn’t find pineapple preserves anywhere. Anything else I can use?
You could try orange marmalade?
I made this for dinner tonight and it was really good and super easy to make. Thanks for another great recipe!
You’re very welcome, Michelle! I’m so glad you liked it! 😉
4 out of 5 Spoons – i added almost a 1/2C of pineapple preserves – it really did help cut the ‘bitterness’ of the bottled sauce – might add some celery, next time – and don’t forget the peanuts for the top ! 😀 will make again !
Peanuts are the perfect addition!