Low carb Keto Kung Pao Chicken is one of my favorite Chinese dishes. It’s low carb, but the flavors are full and delicious. Traditional Kung Pao Chicken is a stir-fry dish that uses chicken, peanuts, dried red chilies, Chinese rice wine, soy sauce, and oil. The peanuts give the dish a nutty flavor and the oils help tenderize the meat, but they’re also high in carbs.
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Keto Kung Pao Chicken – This low carb kung pao chicken is a quick and simple traditional Chinese restaurant style meal that is sweet, tangy, and spicy all at once and eaten with cauliflower rice or zoodles for busy weeknights.
What is the meaning of Kung Pao Chicken?
This keto kung pao chicken, also known as Gong Bao Ji Ding, is a popular Chinese takeaway meal made with juicy chicken thighs, veggies, peanuts (or cashews), and chili peppers that is stir-fried.
Is It Possible to Eat Kung Pao Chicken on a Keto Diet?
If you follow me on Instagram, you may recall that I posted a classic kung pao chicken dish (check it out) in 2018 that includes 20 grams of carbohydrates due to the use of soy sauce, sugar, and other carb components in the sauce.
But don’t worry, I’ve fully converted it into a keto-friendly meal that’s packed of flavor and tastes exactly the same (even more delicious).
General Tso Chicken vs. Kung Pao Chicken
If you put them side by side, they appear identical, have the same degree of heat, and are both North American meals. Kung Pao Chicken is stir-fried with veggies, peanuts, and sauce, while General Tso’s Chicken (see the low carb variant) is typically covered with a batter and deep-fried.
Substitute Ingredients
- Vegetables — I used zucchini and red bell peppers, but bok choy, broccoli, or cauliflower would also work.
- Chicken thighs are preferred (for more taste), but chicken breast, steak, or shrimp may also be used.
- Add Sriracha, red pepper flakes, or any other hot sauce to make it spicier.
What Should You Serve With Low-Carb Kung Pao Chicken?
I like to serve these with zoodles or cauliflower rice as a side dish.
Instant Pot Keto Kung Pao Chicken
See the recipe card below for the stovetop skillet variation.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper before serving.
- Preheat the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode. When the pan is heated, add the oil. Sauté the chicken for 3-4 minutes each side, or until gently browned.
- Meanwhile, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients in a medium mixing basin. Pour everything over the chicken.
- Set the valve to sealing and close the pot. Set the timer for 4 minutes in MANUAL mode.
- When the Instant Pot beeps, quickly release the pressure. Transfer the chicken to a large serving dish after opening the cover.
- Replace the inner pot in the Instant Pot. Press the SAUTE button and add more oil if necessary. Bell peppers, zucchini, peanuts, and dried red chili peppers are all good additions. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are just soft. Make a slurry (water and xanthan gum) and pour it into the Instant Pot.
- Allow time for the sauce to thicken. Return the chicken to the saucepan and simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked.
- Done! Serve over cauliflower rice with green onions and sesame seeds.
Slow Cooker Keto Kung Pao Chicken
See the recipe card below for the stovetop skillet variation.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper before serving. Over medium heat, heat a large skillet. Sauté the chicken in the oil for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side, or until crispy and gently browned. (Alternatively, the chicken may be cooked in a slow cooker.)
- Combine the ingredients for the sauce and pour over the chicken.
- Cook on HIGH for 1.5–3 hours or LOW for 2.5–4 hours, covered.
- Combine the xanthan gum and water in a small dish and add into the slow cooker. (about 30 minutes before to serving)
- In a large mixing bowl, add the red bell peppers, dried red chili peppers, zucchini, and peanuts. Cook for a further 20-30 minutes on HIGH, or until the sauce has thickened and the veggies are soft and cooked through.
- Serve over zoodles or cauliflower rice with sesame seeds and green onions.
Kung Pao Chicken Keto (Low Carb)
This low carb keto kung pao chicken is a quick and simple traditional Chinese restaurant style meal that is sweet, tangy, and spicy all at once and served with cauliflower rice or zoodles for busy weeknights.
15 minutes Preparation Time
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Ingredients
To make the sauce
-
- apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon (or rice wine vinegar )
- 3 tbsp liquid amino acids ( or coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce )
- 2-3 tablespoons chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- a quarter to half teaspoon of red pepper chili flakes, to taste
- 2 tblsp sesame seed oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- For sweetness, use 1-2 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener (or erythritol).
For the stir-fry chicken,
- 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch chunks
- 3–4 tablespoons avocado or olive oil
- As required, Himalayan pink salt and black pepper
- 1 medium zucchini, peeled and cut into half
- 1 red bell pepper, peeled and cut into small pieces
- 2/3 cup peanuts, toasted (or roasted cashews)
- to taste 2 – 3 dried red chile peppers (substitute with 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha )
- xanthan gum, 1/4 teaspoon
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper before serving.
- Over medium-high heat, heat a wok or a big nonstick pan. Once the oil is heated, add the chicken and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the bell peppers, zucchini, and dried chili peppers are crisp-tender.
- Add the peanuts to the sauce and pour it over the chicken. Increase the heat to high and combine all of the ingredients.
- Allow the sauce to reduce and thicken (by adding xantham gum) to your liking. To taste, season with salt, pepper, or more red pepper chili flakes.
- Place on a serving platter. Sesame seeds and green onions are sprinkled on top.
- Serve with zoodles or cauliflower rice as a side dish.
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Still famished! Other low-carb keto chicken dishes to try:
So, Guys, I hope you like this delicious keto kung pao chicken that I prepare on a weekly basis. This dish will appeal to all chicken fans searching for a low-carb kung pow chicken. Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends on Pinterest, Facebook, and other social media platforms if you enjoy it. Also, check us out on Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Please pass this recipe along!
I can’t lie, this recipe is better than the ones I used to make. And I still make them, but not with the same ingredients. It’s a chicken recipe that uses Ketones, when you follow the Keto diet. This dish is mostly made of meat and vegetables, so it’s very nutritious.. Read more about low carb chinese takeaway and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat kung pao chicken on keto?
Yes, you can eat kung pao chicken on keto.
Is Kung Pao chicken high in carbs?
Kung Pao chicken is high in carbs.
What Chinese food has the lowest carbs?
The best Chinese food for low carb diets is probably fried rice.
Related Tags
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