Delicious and easy, this Gluten-Free Kung Pao Chicken is a healthier version of the classic Chinese takeout you can make at home! A recipe that’s paleo, top 8 allergy-free, and with all the flavors and spice you love!
Hold up! You are about to add a (healthy + delicious) addiction to your life! Kung Pao Chicken is always delicious; sitting there on the takeout menu, beckoning you with whispers of “order me! order me!”. But, and that’s a big BUT, it’s not so allergy-friendly, gluten-free, and loaded with oil. If you like me, it can be a bit too spicy. I love my spice, but I also have health conditions that don’t love it so much! Since I’m all about not missing out on the old favorites and classics, nothing stopped me from just whipping up a homemade recipe right in the cozy comfort of my own kitchen! Boy, am I glad I have this recipe under my belt now, because it is super delicious and not to mention so simple and easy!
New to Kung Pao Chicken? Don’t worry! I’ll give you the deets! With every ethnic dish there are numerous versions. Kung Pao may also be seen as Kung Po or Gong Pao. Basically it’s chicken fried with a spicy chili sauce. Is it good? Uh, yea, it is fantastic! I made some changes though and there is no frying here, but baking in the one and only cast iron. I used some tangy tomato paste, vinegar, coconut aminos, apricot jelly, and some other spices to make my spicy chili sauce 100% drool-worthy. There are many components to this sauce, but each is essential! Long lists of ingredients are needed for authentic Asian cooking!
Gluten-Free Kung Pao Chicken
- 4 Skinless Chicken Breasts (cubed)
- Kung Pao Sauce:
- ½ Cup Tomato Paste
- ¼ Cup Coconut Aminos
- ¼ Cup Apricot Jelly
- 2 TB Rice Vinegar
- 1-2 TB Chili Paste
- 2 Tsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1 Tsp Ground Mustard
- ½ Tsp Ground Sichuan Peppercorns*
- ½ Tsp Chinese 5 Spice
- ½ Tsp Ground Ginger
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (to top)
- Chopped Chives (to top)
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a food processor or blender, combine all the sauce ingredients.
- Cube the chicken and place in a large bowl. Add the sauce and mix to coat all pieces.
- Place the cubed and coated chicken in a greased cast iron skillet and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped chives if desired.
**This makes a lot of sauce. Use enough to coat your chicken breasts, but you may have some leftover!
Like I mentioned in the notes, you may or may not have a lot of sauce (depending on the size of your chicken breasts!) But that’s okay, save it for later 😉 Serve this gluten-free Kung Pao Chicken over rice or cauliflower rice if you need it grain-free! You can also adjust the spice levels to exactly your taste buds’ liking! You will be in love no matter what though, I guarantee it 😉
So tell me:
+ What’s your favorite Chinese takeout chicken dish? That’s a tie between cashew chicken (recipe coming soon!) and orange chicken for me!
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This looks delicious, I’m going to have to try it.
Thank you! Enjoy!
oooooh this looks so juicy and yummy!
Liz recently posted…Homestead Blog Hop #139
It is one of my faves!
This looks so good! I love that it is allergen-free. I have such a hard time finding great meals for a family full of dairy and soy allergies. 😉
Then you’ve come to the right food blog!
This looks awesome! Got to try it out! Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!
Shantana
Great, I hope you enjoy!
Your chicken looks delicious!
Miz Helen recently posted…Fresh Garden Salsa
Thanks!
Oooh, that looks so delicious but it wouldn’t kill my healthy eating track I’ve been on. Plus your photographs look absolutely amazing. I plan on trying this one out after I find some coconut aminos, I have no clue where to look.
Keep up the great posts.
You can use your normal soy sauce if you aren’t soy (or gluten) free!
I have never made this recipe you make it look delicious. Great that it is Gluten Free.
The sauce sounds lovely and spicy.
Kathleen
I am sure you will love it!
Hi Rebecca! Your photographs make the dish look so tempting. I’ve pinned and shared. Have a great week!
Thank you so much!
This looks amazing! I’ve heard a lot about coconut aminos and am definitely going to have to investigate them!
Best soy and gluten-free “soy sauce”!
Looks delicious! Love that it’s soya free too!
Always what you can expect from Strength and Sunshine!
That looks delicious Rebecca! Pinning for this weeks menu 😉
Susanne recently posted…Traditional Design Style, What You Need To Know
Awesome, enjoy!
By far one of our favorite recipes. This looks way much better than my kung pao, yummy…
Melissa @ Insider The Kitchen recently posted…How Long Does It Take to Smoke Ribs? Plus Tips for Better BBQ!
I just think you need to make it more 😉 Kung Pao everyday!
Looks like a perfect weeknight dinner. Bookmarking to try next week!
It is! Thanks!
Love how you’ve reduced the oil in this normally oil overladen Chinese classic Rebecca!
I actually find that I tend to just taste the oil if I order a Chinese takeout now, so prefer to make them at home.
Thanks for this much healthier version!
Restaurants always overdo it on the oil, salt, sugar, you name it! Homemade is always better!
I happily shared with my gluten free people. 🙂
Elise Cohen Ho recently posted…Tip Tuesday Link Party 6
I bet.
I made something similar to this the other night, but yours looks so much better. I guess I need to rethink mine!
Just give mine a whirl!
looks so delish! I am definetely goiing to try this recipe.
Great, let me know!
BINGO! Got all those ingredients…know what I’m having for dinner tomorrow now
Woohoo! I know you’ll enjoy!
I love finding new allergy friendly recipes
Well you came to the right place!
Yum! I love kung pao chicken! So excited to make it at home!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme recently posted…One Pan Garlic Roasted Chicken and Baby Potatoes
Awesome! It is such a great one!
Who needs takeout when you can make this at home….and you know exactly what is in it! Delicious.
Right! Just the way I want it (and need it)!
This looks delicious! I never try making Chinese food at home, but this seems doable. Thanks!
It is SO doable and SO worth it!
This recipe sounds amazing! I am doing Whole30 right now, and when I finish I’m planning on sticking to more of a paleo diet. Pinning to use later 🙂
Awesome! I know you’ll love this flavor-packed dish!
Looks great! I will definitely have to try this. My gluten-free family will love it! We like to make chicken friend rice at home. I made it with cauliflower rice not too long ago and it was delicious! Still perfecting my recipe so will hopefully share it soon. 😉
Any takeout dish make homemade is always a winner with my family!
My husband loves Kung Pao chicken but I’ve never made it for him so bookmarking this!
I know he will enjoy some homemade!
This looks so good! Even though it’s 10 AM; I’d totally eat a bowl of it right now!
I see no problem with that 😉
Looks yummy. I’ve pinned to my food board for future reference.
Great! Thank you!
Yummy!! I am making this for dinner tonight!!
Fantastic! Let me know how it comes out!
Kung Pao is one of my favorite dishes. I will definitely try this recipe! Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
It is so yummy! Thanks Kaye!