Kung Pao Chicken Zoodles

Since it seems like quite a few people I know got a spiralizer for Christmas, now is the perfect time to share one of my favorite “zoodle” recipes: kung pao chicken. If you’ve never replaced pasta with veggies before, this is a great recipe to start with. It’s also a great meal when you’re pressed for time or got home late and just want a quick, but healthy dish.

Kung Pao Chicken Zoodles
via skinnytaste

ingredients:

2 medium zucchinis
1 tsp grapeseed, canola or olive oil
6 oz skinless, skinless chicken breasts , cut into 1/2 in pieces
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 in pieces
1 tsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ground ginger
2 tbsp crushed, dry roasted peanuts
2 tbsp thinly sliced scallions

for the sauce:
1 1/2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp hoisin sauce
2 1/2 tbsp water
1/2 tbsp red chili paste (more to taste)
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch

directions:
Using a spiralizer fitted with a shredder blade (this makes a thicker noodle), or a mandolin fitted with a julienne blade, cut the zucchini into long spaghetti-like strips. If using a spiralizer, use kitchen scissors to cut the strands into pieces that are about 8 inches long so they’re easier to eat.

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, balsamic, hoisin, water, red chili paste, sugar and cornstarch; set aside. Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste. Heat oil in a large, deep nonstick pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.

Reduce heat to medium, add sesame oil, garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about  30 seconds. Add the bell pepper, stir in soy sauce mixture and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until thickened and bubbling, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in zucchini noodles and cook, mixing for about two minutes until just tender and mixed with the sauce. If it seems dry, don’t worry the zucchini will release moisture which helps create a sauce. Once cooked, mix in chicken and divide between 2 bowls (about 2 cups each) and top with peanuts and scallions.

xx

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27 Comments

  1. January 13, 2015 / 7:04 am

    Another zoodle recipe yay!! Pinning this since I’m looking to expand how often I use the spiralizer!! xo, Biana – BlovedBoston

  2. jillian
    January 13, 2015 / 7:34 am

    yummm! this sounds awesome! i rarely eat chinese food because i dont like how greasy it is but this looks like a great way to lighten it up! xo jillian

  3. January 13, 2015 / 7:36 am

    I was just talking about wanting a spiralizer! This looks so good and healthy, I think I need to commit to one already!

  4. January 13, 2015 / 7:41 am

    Looks delicious! I’m a vegetarian so I would omit the chicken, but the sauce sounds yummy and I LOVE zoodles!

    xo Megan, Lush to Blush

  5. January 13, 2015 / 7:48 am

    Bring on the zoodle recipes! They’re so much fun to make too!

  6. January 13, 2015 / 8:21 am

    I have yet to use my zoodler yet, but this looks so yummy and easy!

  7. January 13, 2015 / 8:21 am

    My mom has a spiraler! Naturally I think this means we need to makes these the min I get home. They sound so good!

  8. January 13, 2015 / 8:28 am

    I still haven’t tried making zoodles but I think I need to! That sauce sounds amazing, I bet it would be really good with rice!

  9. January 13, 2015 / 9:07 am

    oh man, this is going to be my first Zoodle recipe, i think! I am one of those “got it for xmas” people, because I couldn’t pull the trigger on it myself after wanting one for months. My husband has NO interest in trying zoodles though, so it will be an Ame-experiment on her own.

  10. January 13, 2015 / 9:39 am

    Yummy! My husband LOVES Kung Pao chicken, so I’ll have to try this version out sometime. A spiralizer is on my birthday wish list. 🙂

  11. January 13, 2015 / 9:48 am

    I REALLY need to try some of these zoodle recipes, they look so good!

  12. January 13, 2015 / 10:18 am

    I think this has finally sold me on a spiralizer! Can’t wait to try it 🙂

  13. January 13, 2015 / 11:19 am

    I have been using my spiralizer so much lately! Definitely want to try this one this weekend!

  14. January 13, 2015 / 12:06 pm

    Wow, this looks really good! And healthy too which is perfect for my new year’s resolution! I guess I need to go out and get a spiralizer now, haha.

    – Kelsey
    https://kelseydefined.wordpress.com/

  15. January 13, 2015 / 12:50 pm

    YUM! This looks so delicious! I think I am going to add this to our menu for next week!

  16. January 13, 2015 / 1:12 pm

    I was hoping you’d share the recipe and you didn’t fail me in the least 😉

  17. January 13, 2015 / 2:40 pm

    I am so glad you posted this! I was drooling over the picture when you posted on Insta!

  18. January 13, 2015 / 4:39 pm

    yummm that looks so good!

    xo,
    Angela

  19. January 13, 2015 / 8:51 pm

    I’ve tried a couple of your recipes and really enjoyed them! This one sounds great too! Especially the idea of replaced pasta with veggies.

  20. January 13, 2015 / 8:53 pm

    I love using veggies in place of pasta. This looks great!

  21. January 14, 2015 / 4:50 pm

    Pinning!! This looks delicious!

  22. January 28, 2015 / 12:23 pm

    Adding it to my meals for next week!!


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