Kung Pao Chicken, a famous Chinese dish from the Sichuan region, combines tender chicken with crunchy peanuts, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. Known for its spicy, tangy flavor with a hint of sweetness, Kung Pao Chicken is the perfect stir-fry dish to bring some spice to your table.

Ingredients

Chicken

1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken breast, cubed

1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce

1 tbsp (15 ml) rice wine or dry sherry

1 tbsp (8 g) cornstarch

Sauce

2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce

1 tbsp (15 ml) dark soy sauce

1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar

1 tbsp (15 ml) hoisin sauce

2 tsp (10 g) sugar

1/4 cup (60 ml) chicken broth

Other Ingredients

2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil

8-10 dried red chili peppers

1/2 cup (75 g) peanuts

1 bell pepper, diced

3 green onions, chopped

1 tsp (5 g) Sichuan peppercorns (optional for authentic flavor)

1 tbsp (8 g) minced garlic

1 tbsp (8 g) minced ginger

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken In a bowl, combine the chicken with soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. Let it marinate for 15-20 minutes.

Prepare the Sauce In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and chicken broth. Set aside.

Cook the Chicken Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Stir-Fry the Aromatics Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add the dried red chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns (if using) and cook for 30 seconds to release their aroma. Add the garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds.

Combine Everything Add the bell pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened. Return the chicken to the pan, along with the sauce. Stir everything together, allowing the sauce to thicken for 1-2 minutes. Add peanuts and green onions, stirring until well-coated.

Serving

Serve the Kung Pao Chicken hot, over steamed rice or noodles, to enjoy its rich and spicy flavors.

Kung Pao Chicken offers an explosion of flavors with a delightful blend of textures. Perfect for spice lovers, this dish brings authentic Chinese flavors to any meal and is an easy, flavorful stir-fry recipe for any night of the week.