Name: Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, Skinnyfied
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breasts ((boneless, skinless), cut into bite-size pieces); 1 (18.75 oz.) bottle Panda Express Kung Pao sauce, (see shopping tips); 2 cups zucchini, (diced (slice down middle and cut each slice into 4)); 1 red bell pepper, (diced); 1 green bell pepper, (diced); 1 cup celery, (sliced into thin pieces); 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks (in 100% pineapple juice (not drained)); 1 cup scallions ((green onions), diced); 10 cups shredded cabbage, (for serving)

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I could hardly wait to share this fantastic skinny version with you! It couldn’t be easier to make since I used a bottle of Panda Express sauce. To make it healthier, it’s loaded with vegetables, pineapple chunks and served over steamed cabbage. The pineapple works great to cool this dish down. Personally, I think Panda’s Kung Pao chicken is a bit spicy. Mine has a wonderful kick but is not at all overwhelming. Each serving has 254 calories and 2 grams of fat.

Why You’ll Love Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, Skinnyfied

So, you want to know why you'd love a homemade Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken? Let me tell you, it's like a little taste of your favorite takeout spot, but healthier and way more satisfying! Imagine sinking your teeth into tender, crispy chicken coated in that addictive sweet and spicy sauce. It's like a flavor explosion in your mouth! Plus, making it at home means you control the ingredients, so you can tweak it to your liking. It's a total win-win, trust me.

Ingredients for Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, Skinnyfied

This recipe aims to recreate the popular Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken dish with a healthier twist. Here's a breakdown of the ingredients:

Main Protein:

1 pound chicken breasts (boneless, skinless), cut into bite-sized pieces: The chicken provides the protein and main flavor of the dish.

Vegetables:

2 cups zucchini, diced: Adds a healthy and refreshing element to the dish.
1 red bell pepper, diced: Provides color, sweetness, and a crisp texture.
1 green bell pepper, diced: Offers a variety of colors and adds a slightly different flavor profile.
1 cup celery, sliced into thin pieces: Adds crunch and a fresh flavor.
1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks in 100% pineapple juice (not drained): Provides sweetness and a tropical flavor. The pineapple juice contributes to the sauce.
1 cup scallions (green onions), diced: Adds a fresh, sharp flavor and a touch of green.

Sauce Base:

1 (18.75 oz.) bottle Panda Express Kung Pao sauce: This pre-made sauce provides the foundation for the dish's signature flavor profile.

By combining these ingredients, you can create a homemade version of the popular Panda Express dish that is lower in calories and fat while still delivering on flavor.

How to Make Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, Skinnyfied

Key steps:

Preparing the chicken: Chicken pieces are coated in the pre-made Kung Pao sauce and cooked in a covered pan.
Adding vegetables: After cooking the chicken, vegetables are added to the pan and cooked briefly.
Serving: The finished dish is served over steamed cabbage, with the option of brown rice or whole grain spaghetti noodles.

Ingredient roles:

Kung Pao sauce: Provides the primary flavor profile for the dish.
Chicken: Serves as the main protein source.
Vegetables: Offer additional texture and nutrients.
Cabbage: Acts as a low-calorie base for the dish.

Potential improvements:

Marinating the chicken: Marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, cornstarch, and ginger before cooking can enhance its flavor and tenderness.
Toasting spices: Toasting the spices before adding them to the sauce can intensify their flavor.

Adjusting heat: The level of heat can be adjusted by adding more or less red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 6 servings (each serving, ~1 cup steamed cabbage topped with 1⅓ cups Kung Pao Chicken with sauce)

Healthy Tips
Since it’s loaded with veggies, pineapple and served over steamed cabbage, each serving has 6 grams of fiber. But, it’s very high in sodium due to the Panda Express sauce. If you’re on a lower sodium diet, this recipe would not be good for you.

To remain at zero points, you must enjoy the pineapple fresh, as unsweetened frozen pineapple or canned pineapple in its own juice, like in this recipe.

Shopping Tips
Panda Express locations sell this sauce. Most supermarkets sell the line of Panda Express sauces too. You’ll usually find it in the Asian section. Or, click here to buy it on Amazon.com: Panda Express Kung Pao sauce

WW Freestyle Points 6-Blue
WW SmartPoints 8-Green
WW POINTS PLUS 6

SKINNY FACTS: for 1 serving (1⅓ cups Kung Pao Chicken over 1 cup cabbage)
254 calories, 2g fat, 1g sat. fat, 37mg chol, 19g protein, 43g carbs, 6g fiber, 1830mg sod, 25g sugar

FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints
125 calories, 0g sat. fat, 23g sugar, 1g protein