Kung Pao Chicken
This dish works just as well without peanuts. If you desire a nut-free dish, omit the peanuts and switch to vegetable oil.
Serves: 4Hands-on: 20 minutesTotal: 20 minutesDifficulty: Easy
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1" cubes
- 1½ tsp. plus 1 Tbsp. cornstarch, divided
- 2 tsp. light soy sauce
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 2½ tsp. peanut oil, divided
- 1 tsp. chili paste with garlic
- 2 thin slices fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tsp. Shaoxing rice wine or medium-dry sherry
- 3 Tbsp. garlic chives or other chives, cut into 1" segments, greens sliced and reserved for garnish
- 2 Tbsp. roasted peanuts
Directions
- Mix chicken with 1½ teaspoons of cornstarch, soy sauce, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir well and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix sugar, vinegar, remaining cornstarch, and water. Set aside.
- Heat a wok over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil is thoroughly heated, add chicken and stir-fry until seared, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken to paper towels to drain.
- Wipe the wok clean. Return to medium-high heat. Add remaining 1½ teaspoons of oil, chili paste, ginger, and garlic. Stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add chicken, wine, vinegar-cornstarch mixture, chive segments, and peanuts. Stir-fry until chicken is thoroughly cooked, about 2 more minutes. Serve hot.
Amount per serving | |
---|---|
Calories | 180 |
Total Fat | 8g |
Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
Cholesterol | 80mg |
Sodium | 550mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 6g |
Dietary Fiber | 1g |
Sugars | 1g |
Protein | 18g |
Recipe Information
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1" cubes
- 1½ tsp. plus 1 Tbsp. cornstarch, divided
- 2 tsp. light soy sauce
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 2½ tsp. peanut oil, divided
- 1 tsp. chili paste with garlic
- 2 thin slices fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tsp. Shaoxing rice wine or medium-dry sherry
- 3 Tbsp. garlic chives or other chives, cut into 1" segments, greens sliced and reserved for garnish
- 2 Tbsp. roasted peanuts
Directions
- Mix chicken with 1½ teaspoons of cornstarch, soy sauce, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir well and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix sugar, vinegar, remaining cornstarch, and water. Set aside.
- Heat a wok over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil is thoroughly heated, add chicken and stir-fry until seared, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken to paper towels to drain.
- Wipe the wok clean. Return to medium-high heat. Add remaining 1½ teaspoons of oil, chili paste, ginger, and garlic. Stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add chicken, wine, vinegar-cornstarch mixture, chive segments, and peanuts. Stir-fry until chicken is thoroughly cooked, about 2 more minutes. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Amount per serving | |
---|---|
Calories | 180 |
Total Fat | 8g |
Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
Cholesterol | 80mg |
Sodium | 550mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 6g |
Dietary Fiber | 1g |
Sugars | 1g |
Protein | 18g |