Description
Kung Pao Chicken is a flavorful, spicy Chinese dish made with tender chicken, roasted peanuts, and a savory sauce with a balance of sweet, salty, and tangy notes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 4–6 dried red chili peppers
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1/2 cup onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (for thickening)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add dried chili peppers and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add diced chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic, ginger, bell peppers, and onions. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet along with the prepared sauce. Stir to combine and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook for an additional minute until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in roasted peanuts. Garnish with chopped green onions.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
Notes
- Adjust the number of dried chilies based on your preferred spice level.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of Chinese five-spice powder to the sauce.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated. The sauce may thicken, so add a little water or broth when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: kung pao chicken, stir fry, Chinese chicken, spicy chicken, peanut chicken