Why We Love Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken
If you are gluten–free, you probably already know that the Panda Express restaurant chain states on their website that they offer no gluten-free food items. What a bummer! This always baffles me, because swapping gluten-free soy sauce for regular soy sauce is all it would take, in some of their dishes. Regardless, we still love Panda Express with great passion, I just can’t take my daughter Ava there. Instead, we make gluten-free versions of her favorite Panda Express dishes at home. They taste just as (if not more) amazing at home, and we have full quality control on ingredients and portions. Black Pepper Chicken is my go-to Panda Express order, because it’s bold and zesty, yet is one of their lighter menu options. It’s essentially made of chicken thighs, onions, celery, and a rich full-bodied spicy black pepper sauce. Fortunately, this recipe is easy to replicate at home, using organic ingredients (if desired) and of course gluten-free soy sauce. It takes just a few minutes to prep and cook, and would even be considered low carb, if you skip the side of rice or noodles!
Ingredients You Need
Chicken thighs – boneless, skinless or chicken breasts Onion – peeled and chopped Celery – sliced, 1/3-inch cut on a bias Soy sauce – low sodium, gluten-free Rice vinegar Cornstarch Spices – ginger, garlic powder, red pepper Liquid smoke Peanut oil – or coconut oil Black pepper – coarse ground
How To Make Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the marination time. Even though the chicken only soaks in the sauce for a few minutes, it does impact the overall flavor and helps make the meat more tender.
Serving Suggestions
You can’t go wrong with the classic choice of steamed white or brown rice. For something heartier, serve the stir-fry alongside homemade fried rice or even stir-fried noodles like chow mein or lo mein. If you’re looking for a lighter, healthier alternative, quinoa or cauliflower rice makes a great low-carb option. You can also try wrapping the stir-fry in crisp lettuce leaves for a refreshing, low-carb meal. Vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or green beans are great on the side.
Looking for More Asian Stir Fry Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
Kung Pao Chicken Keto Thai Larb Rolls Instant Pot Sesame Chicken Sheet Pan Mongolian Beef Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles Paleo Lemon Chicken Paleo Cashew Chicken Korean Bulgogi
Share This Recipe With Friends!
