CPK’s Kung Pao Spaghetti
A copycat recipe that you can make right at home in less than 20 minutes. And it tastes even better than the restaurant version!
Have you ever had California Pizza Kitchen’s Kung Pao Spaghetti? I’ve had it on many occasions but as good as it is, I’m just not comfortable spending $15 on a lunch dish for myself, especially when it’s during my lunch break. But now, I never have to order this because I can make it right at home in just 20 minutes!
Now if you’ve never had the CPK version, this is really a Chinese take-out favorite tossed in spaghetti noodles. It’s wonderfully flavorful and savory with that extra spicy kick to it, and there’s plenty of chicken to go around for everyone, unlike CPK who adds in a couple of pieces of chicken and then charges an additional $3 for it.
And f you want it completely vegetarian, you could even add some fried tofu cubes. That actually sounds better than the chicken. I’ll definitely be trying that next time!
CPK's Kung Pao Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 boneless, skinless thin-sliced chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry roasted peanuts
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
For the sauce
- ½ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup dry sherry
- 2 tablespoons red chili paste with garlic, or more, to taste
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, chicken broth, dry sherry, red chili paste, sugar, red wine vinegar, cornstarch and sesame oil; set aside.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, to taste. Add to skillet and cook, flipping once, until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Let cool before dicing into bite-size pieces; set aside.
- Add garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in soy sauce mixture and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in pasta, chicken, peanuts and green onions.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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I love ordering this from CPK, but like you said, it’s quite expensive. Anyway, can you provide me with the brand of red chili paste with garlic you used? Did you purchase it from 99 Ranch?
I like using the Huy Fong Foods brand.
Ahhhh!!! Spaghetti is my super comfort food, and lately, I’ve been craving some delicious chinese takeout so…my prayers have been answered!! Thanks for sharing with us (and saving us a few bucks!)
This looks like the perfect lunch, love the roasted peanuts!
I’ve never eaten the original, but I’m sure I’d love it with all those great flavours. Anxious to try this!
Sounds so good. Thank you.
This sure does look better! I can’t wait to try 🙂
I would add celery to this..any substitutions for the sherry? thanks!
There really is no appropriate substitute for the sherry. This ingredient is crucial to balance out all the flavors of this dish.
Hi there! I am making this tonight and I was just wondering if you have a calorie count for this recipe? Thank you!!
Nutritional information is provided only for select and new recipes at this time. However, if it is not available for a specific recipe, it is best that you use free online resources at your discretion (you can gooogle “nutritional calculator”) to obtain such information.
use Chinese or Japanese rice vinegar (not sweetened/seasoned) for the sherry.
I just increased the chicken stock and left out the sherry. It was delish.
Good morning!!
I’m just wondering the amount of peanuts to use?
What do you mean by1/2 roasted peanuts?
Thank you!
Your recipes are always so delicious!!
It is meant to say “1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts”.
Wondering if you could cook this up to the point of adding the noodles then freeze. When ready to use defrost in fridge and cook noodles & combine. Thoughts?
Unfortunately, I cannot answer this with certainty as I have never tried freezing this myself. Please use your best judgment for freezing and reheating.
I love this dish!! I’ve had it at CPK and it is seriously good! So glad you made a copycat that looks even better! Pinning 🙂
Ah, Europe meets Asia, this looks so tasty! I have had kung pao once before, and it was really good, had a bit of a kick to it, and now I have this beautiful rendition of it – cheers! 😀 x
I’ve never had CPKS Kung Pao Spaghetti, but I have had other restaurant variations, so I am TOTALLY digging your homemade and easy version! You are seriously the copycat queen! Pinned!
I’ve never had their version but know full well your version is better 🙂 Just look at it! That opening shot, with those noodles, gorgeous!! You elevate noodles to art!
It’s 2 am, and I’m catching up on blog reading. What was I thinking?! Now I’m absolutely starving, especially after seeing this. Those saucy noodles are killing me!
Ha! That same thing happened to me, but at 4 am.
This sounds completely yummy. Never had CPK’s but I am sure this would be better anyway and I’d rather feed my whole family for that $15. Pinned! : )
Sounds so delicious!
I can imagine the taste and know that I’ll love it. I’m going to make this soon. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
what a nice recipe 🙂 so yummy
I imagined it AND made it! a suggestion – too much soy sauce. I love soy sauce but it overwhelmed the flavor.
Agree…. way too salty!!! probably needs half the amount
1/3 c. Seemed to work