Kung Pao Chicken With Super Greens
A healthier, homemade version of the Panda Express classic featuring lean chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a nutrient-dense mix of broccoli and kale.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Makes about
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Carmeli + Lila
Carmeli created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Wok · Large skillet · Whisk · Mixing bowl
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 5 steps complete
Next: Whisk together the chicken broth
- 01
Whisk together the chicken broth
In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes to create the sauce base.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat a large skillet or wok over…
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breast and cook until browned and cooked through, then remove from the pan.
Look for: browned and cooked through, then remove from the pan
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add the broccoli
In the same pan, add the broccoli, kale, and garlic. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the greens are tender-crisp.
Look for: the greens are tender-crisp
Tap card to mark done - 04
Return the chicken to the pan and…
Return the chicken to the pan and add the peanuts and ginger.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Pour the sauce over the mixture and…
Pour the sauce over the mixture and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until well-coated and heated through.
Look for: well-coated and heated through
Tap card to mark done
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