Kung Pao Chicken (30 Minutes)

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Kung Pao chicken is a spicy, flavorful dish originally hailing from China. Traditionally made with marinated chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and a spicy sauce, this recipe is a tasty option for a unique weeknight meal. The heat in the dish comes from Sichuan peppercorns and dried chili peppers which you can turn up or down as desired. Let’s dive in!

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried red chili peppers
  • 1/2 cup unsalted roasted peanuts
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and cornstarch. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown.
  3. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet and stir-fry for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, hoisin sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried red chili peppers. Pour the mixture over the chicken and stir to coat.
  5. Add the unsalted roasted peanuts to the skillet and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
  6. Serve the Kung Pao chicken over rice and garnish with thinly sliced green onions.

Notes

Be sure to use a high heat when stir-frying the chicken to achieve that crispy, golden-brown texture. Also, don’t skimp on the Sichuan peppercorns and dried red chili peppers as they are the key to the dish’s signature heat and flavor. Finally, be sure to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking, as the dish comes together quickly once you start stir-frying. Hope you enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 362 calories
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 973mg
  • Fat: 17g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 97mg

Pair this with...

Sea Salt Edamame

Begin with fresh or frozen edamame pods. If frozen, give them a quick rinse under cold water. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, toss in the edamame, and let them cook for a few minutes until they're tender and bright green. Drain the water and transfer the edamame to a serving bowl. While they're still hot and a tad steamy, sprinkle a generous pinch of coarse sea salt over them. The crystals will cling to the pods, giving them a delightful salty crunch. Serve immediately and enjoy the process of squeezing those succulent soybeans straight from the pods into your mouth.

Miso Ginger Salad

Start by preparing a mix of your favorite salad greens; think romaine, iceberg lettuce, or baby greens. Toss in sliced radishes, shredded carrots, and sliced cucumbers for that refreshing crunch. For the dressing, whisk together white miso paste, freshly grated ginger, a dash of soy sauce, a bit of rice vinegar, and some sesame oil. If you like a touch of sweetness, a drizzle of honey or agave nectar will do the trick. Blend until smooth, adjusting the consistency with a little water if needed. Drizzle this punchy dressing over your greens and give it a good toss. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds if desired.

Green Tea

Brewing the perfect cup begins with quality tea leaves, whether they're in a bag or loose. Start by boiling water, then let it cool slightly – you're aiming for just under boiling point, as water that's too hot can make the tea taste bitter. Add your tea to a teapot or directly to your cup, then pour the hot water over the leaves. Steep for about 1-3 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Remember, the longer you steep, the stronger and potentially more bitter the tea becomes. Once it's to your liking, remove the tea leaves or bag. You can enjoy green tea plain, or with a small dash of honey or lemon if desired.

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