Vegetarian Kung Pao Chicken

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this bold and flavorful Vegetarian Kung Pao Chicken, a plant-based twist on the traditional Chinese takeout classic. Packed with protein-rich Quorn chicken pieces or tofu and stir-fried to crispy perfection, this dish delivers the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors. Vibrant bell peppers, crunchy roasted peanuts, and aromatic garlic and ginger create a colorful and texture-rich medley, while a luscious sauce made with hoisin, soy sauce, and sesame oil ties it all together. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy and healthy vegetarian recipe is perfect for bringing a restaurant-quality meal straight to your table. Serve it over steamed rice for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dinner!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 16 oz Quorn chicken pieces or firm tofu, cubed
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce
• 2 tsp Cornstarch
• 1 tbsp Water
• 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Ginger, minced
• 1 Red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 Green bell pepper, chopped
• 6 Dried red chilies
• 4 Scallions, chopped
• 1 cup Roasted peanuts
• 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp Hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp Sesame oil
• 2 tsp Sugar

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, cornstarch, and water to make a marinade. Add the Quorn chicken pieces or tofu cubes and toss to coat. Let sit for about 10 minutes.

Step 2

In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated Quorn or tofu, and stir-fry until golden and crispy on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic, ginger, and dried red chilies. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the chopped red and green bell peppers, and stir-fry for another 3 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 5

Return the cooked Quorn or tofu to the skillet. Add the scallions and roasted peanuts and toss everything together.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Pour this sauce into the skillet and stir well to coat all ingredients.

Step 7

Continue to cook for another 2 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.

Step 8

Serve hot, ideally with steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1148.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2185.2

Total Fat 144.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 54.0g
Cholesterol 1.0mg	0%
Sodium 3091.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 59.7g	0%
Total Sugars 39.7g
Protein 120.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 363.2mg	0%
Iron 14.5mg	0%
Potassium 3783.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.5%

Protein: 21.0%

Carbs: 22.5%