This Kung Pao Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry recipe is quick and easy to make, totally easy to customize (with your favorite noodles, veggies, protein…you name it), andย tossedย with the most delicious kung pao peanut sauce.

Kung Pao Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry

For those days when you’re craving chicken and noodles…kicked up a notch.ย โ™ก

Seriously, this quick and easyย recipe is pretty much everything I love in a goodย stir-fry. It’s the perfect clean-out-the-fridge kind of meal, easy to customize whatever veggies or proteins (shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu would be other delicious options) you might have on hand. It can be made with whatever kind of noodles (pasta, rice noodles,ย udon, etc.) and/or veggie noodles (zucchini, sweet potato, etc.) you prefer. It’s tossed with the most delicious zesty kung pao peanut sauce, that you can make as spicy or as mild as you’d like. It’s perfect for easy dinners or meal prep lunches for the week ahead, and tastes just as delicious hot or cold. Andย more than anything…

…it is just downrightย good, youย guys. I think you’re going to love it.

Kung Pao Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry Recipe | 1-Minute Video

So let’s make a batch!
Kung Pao Peanut Sauce

As with any good stir-fry, the star of this recipe that ties everything together — and will undoubtedly have you going back for seconds — isย this delicious sauce.

I went with a traditional kung pao-ishย base for this one, made withย an extra heaping spoonful of peanut butter to give itย that irresistibleย balance of sweet and savory with a bit of a kick. And good grief, it wasย delicious. That said, feel free to tinker around with the ingredientsย and customize them to taste. If you’d like more heat, you can alwaysย stir in some extra chili garlic sauce (or go the traditional route and add in some dried red chiles). If you like yours more mild, you can omit the spicy ingredients entirely. And of course, always season to taste with salt and pepper.
Zoodles (Zucchini noodles)

Then also feel free toย use whatever veggies you have on hand too! I finally just bought a new spiralizer for our kitchen here in Spain, so I went with some zoodles, mushrooms and onions. But if you don’t have a spiralizer, diced zucchini would work just as well here, or any other stir-fry friendly veggies.

Just whisk together your sauce. Then sautรฉ the chicken, followed by the veggies, while your noodles are busy cooking. And then once everything is ready to go, give it a good toss together in the skillet until everything is coated evenly and the sauce thickens.

Kung Pao Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry

Then dish it up…

Kung Pao Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry

…sprinkle on your favorite toppings (I went with chopped peanuts, green onions and toasted sesame seeds)…

Kung Pao Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry recipe

…and serve!

Like I said, as much as I loved this one straight outta the sautรฉ pan, I ended up munching on it for lunches over the course of the week (often cold, as more of a pasta salad). And notably, as someone who tends to get boredย quickly with leftovers, I found myself legit looking forward to this one with each passing day. Definitely a great back-pocket recipe to make when the noodle cravings strike. Because itย is always just a matter of “when”…isn’t it? :)

Enjoy, everyone!

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Kung Pao Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 23 reviews
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Kung Pao Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry recipe is quick and easy to make, totally easy to customize (with your favorite noodles, veggies, protein…you name it), andย tossedย with the most delicious kung pao peanut sauce.


Ingredients

Scale

Stir-Fry Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (uncooked)ย noodles of your choiceย (I used linguine)
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil or olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces baby bella or white button mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 1 large zucchini, spiralizedย (or chopped into bite-sized pieces)
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 batch Kung Pao Sauceย (see below)
  • toppings: chopped peanuts, thinly sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds

Kung Pao Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (or sriracha)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil


Instructions

To Make The Stir-Fry:

  1. Cook noodles al dente according to package instructions.ย  Strain, drizzle with a bit of oil, and toss to combine.ย  Set aside until ready to use.
  2. While the noodles areย being prepared, heatย 1 tablespoonย oilย in a large sautรฉ pan or wok over medium-high heat.ย ย Season chicken evenly withย a few pinches of salt and pepper, then add it to the pan.ย  Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.ย  Transfer the chicken to a clean plate with a slotted spoon, and set aside.
  3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan, along with the onion and mushrooms.ย  Sautรฉ for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft.ย  Add the zucchini* and garlic and sautรฉ for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in the Kung Pao Sauce, cooked chicken and rice noodles, and toss until everything is evenly combined.ย  Cook for 1 more minute until it comes to a simmer.
  5. Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished withย your desired toppings.

To Make The Kung Pao Sauce:

  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.ย ย If you would like a spicier sauce, add an extra tablespoon or two of the chili garlic sauce.

About Ali

Hi, I'm Ali Martin! I created this site in 2009 to celebrate good food and gathering around the table. I live in Kansas City with my husband and two young boys and love creating simple, reliable, delicious recipes that anyone can make!

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38 Comments

  1. Lacie says:

    This was disgusting!!! I had concerns just from the list of ingredients. But I took a chanceโ€ฆ and the whole family hated it. This was so bad that I am leaving my first recipe review to hopefully save someone time and money. Do NOT make this!!!

  2. Edian says:

    made it today for lunch and my sweet family loved it. thanks for sharing!

  3. Rachel A Holt says:

    Made this tonight. I had some really good tahini on hand and used that instead of peanut butter. It was fantastic – even my picky son loved it and has requested it again. Heck! My 78-year-old mother had a little, which was a win in my book. I can always trust your recipes to be well thought out and tested. Thanks for another winner.