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
Gluten-Free Kung Pao Chicken (Paleo, Allergy-Free)
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!
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Ingredients
- 4 Skinless Chicken Breasts (cubed)
- Kung Pao Sauce:
- 1/2 Cup Tomato Paste
- 1/4 Cup Coconut Aminos
- 1/4 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
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Sichuan Peppercorns*
- 1/2 Tsp Chinese 5 Spice
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Ginger
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (to top)
- Chopped Chives (to top)
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
*You can use black pepper in substitution.
**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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Atim at EffiFit
This looks delicious, I’m going to have to try it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Enjoy!
Liz
oooooh this looks so juicy and yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is one of my faves!
Candi @ MakeAheadMealMom
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. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Then you’ve come to the right food blog!
Artantana
This looks awesome! Got to try it out! Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!
Shantana
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Great, I hope you enjoy!
Miz Helen
Your chicken looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Jessica
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.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can use your normal soy sauce if you aren’t soy (or gluten) free!
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle
I have never made this recipe you make it look delicious. Great that it is Gluten Free.
The sauce sounds lovely and spicy.
Kathleen
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I am sure you will love it!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
Hi Rebecca! Your photographs make the dish look so tempting. I’ve pinned and shared. Have a great week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much!
Midge @Peachicks' Bakery
This looks amazing! I’ve heard a lot about coconut aminos and am definitely going to have to investigate them!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Best soy and gluten-free “soy sauce”!
Lisa (mummybakesdairyfree)
Looks delicious! Love that it’s soya free too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Always what you can expect from Strength and Sunshine!
Susanne
That looks delicious Rebecca! Pinning for this weeks menu 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome, enjoy!
Melissa @ Insider The Kitchen
By far one of our favorite recipes. This looks way much better than my kung pao, yummy…
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I just think you need to make it more 😉 Kung Pao everyday!
Jovita @ Yummy Addiction
Looks like a perfect weeknight dinner. Bookmarking to try next week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is! Thanks!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
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!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Restaurants always overdo it on the oil, salt, sugar, you name it! Homemade is always better!
Elise Cohen Ho
I happily shared with my gluten free people. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I bet.
Terryn Winfield
I made something similar to this the other night, but yours looks so much better. I guess I need to rethink mine!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just give mine a whirl!
regine
looks so delish! I am definetely goiing to try this recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Great, let me know!
Rebecca Smith
BINGO! Got all those ingredients…know what I’m having for dinner tomorrow now
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Woohoo! I know you’ll enjoy!
Victoria with One Sharp Mama
I love finding new allergy friendly recipes
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well you came to the right place!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum! I love kung pao chicken! So excited to make it at home!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! It is such a great one!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Who needs takeout when you can make this at home….and you know exactly what is in it! Delicious.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right! Just the way I want it (and need it)!
Sara Giboney
This looks delicious! I never try making Chinese food at home, but this seems doable. Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is SO doable and SO worth it!
Rebecca Hicks
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 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! I know you’ll love this flavor-packed dish!
Marie, Mamma's Cooking
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. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Any takeout dish make homemade is always a winner with my family!
Bintu - recipes from a pantry
My husband loves Kung Pao chicken but I’ve never made it for him so bookmarking this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know he will enjoy some homemade!
Amanda | The Golden Girl Diary
This looks so good! Even though it’s 10 AM; I’d totally eat a bowl of it right now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I see no problem with that 😉
Jennifer
Looks yummy. I’ve pinned to my food board for future reference.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Great! Thank you!
Connie
Yummy!! I am making this for dinner tonight!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic! Let me know how it comes out!
Kaye
Kung Pao is one of my favorite dishes. I will definitely try this recipe! Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is so yummy! Thanks Kaye!