Kung Pao Chicken Recipe is a classic Chinese stir-fry dish made with marinated chicken, vegetables, peanuts, and a deliciously spicy sauce. It is easy to make and packed with bold flavours. This recipe is perfect for those who love a bit of heat in their meals.
Kung Pao Chicken Recipe Ingredients
When it comes to making delicious Kung Pao Chicken, the right ingredients are essential. The combination of these key elements brings out the iconic flavours that make this dish so popular.
- Boneless chicken (such as chicken breast or thighs)
- Soy sauce
- Rice wine
- Cornstarch
- Chinese black vinegar
- Hoisin sauce
- Sesame oil
- Honey
- Sichuan peppercorns
- Chili flakes
- Vegetable oil
- Dried Chinese peppers
- Fresh chili peppers
- Scallions
- Garlic
- Roasted peanuts
With these ingredients on hand, you’ll have everything you need to create a mouthwatering dish that will impress your family and friends.
Take a look at this image of the key ingredients used in making Kung Pao Chicken:
Kung Pao Chicken Recipe Instructions
Now that you have gathered all the ingredients for your Kung Pao Chicken, it’s time to bring them together in a delicious stir-fry. Follow these easy steps to create a mouthwatering dish that will tantalize your taste buds:
- Start by marinating the chicken. In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Next, prepare the sauce. In another bowl, combine light and dark soy sauce, black vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili flakes. Mix well to create a savory and spicy sauce that will elevate the taste of the dish.
- Heat a skillet or wok over high heat. Add vegetable oil and let it heat up until shimmering. Carefully add the dried and fresh chili peppers, chicken, scallions, and garlic to the hot skillet. Stir-fry everything together for about 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the stir-fried ingredients. Stir everything together to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly. Add the roasted peanuts and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish the Kung Pao Chicken with extra peanuts, scallions, and chili flakes to add visual appeal and an extra burst of flavor.
Now, it’s time to serve and enjoy your homemade Kung Pao Chicken! The tantalizing aroma and bold flavors of this classic Chinese dish are sure to impress your family and friends. Serve it with steamed white rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce and complete the meal. Bon appétit!
Nutrition Details of Kung Pao Chicken
The nutrition information for Kung Pao Chicken may vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used. On average, a serving of Kung Pao Chicken (approximately 195g) contains approximately 348 calories. It has a good amount of protein (32g) and fat (20g) and provides carbohydrates (11g) and fiber (3g). The dish is also a source of essential vitamins and minerals. It is important to note that these values are estimates and may vary based on the specific recipe and ingredients used.
Variations of Kung Pao Chicken
While the traditional Kung Pao Chicken recipe includes specific ingredients, there are several variations you can try. These variations allow you to customize the dish to suit your taste preferences and dietary restrictions. Here are some common variations of Kung Pao Chicken:
- Adding different vegetables: Bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini are popular options for adding extra flavor and texture to the dish. Simply chop them into bite-sized pieces and stir-fry them along with the chicken.
- Experimenting with different proteins: If you’re not a fan of chicken, or if you want to switch things up, you can try using different types of protein. Shrimp, tofu, or beef are great alternatives that can be used in place of chicken. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that the protein is cooked through.
- Adjusting the spiciness level: Kung Pao Chicken is known for its bold and spicy flavors. However, if you prefer a milder version, you can reduce the amount of chili flakes or Sichuan peppercorns. On the other hand, if you love spicy food, feel free to add more to suit your taste.
These variations provide endless possibilities for creating unique and delicious versions of Kung Pao Chicken. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different ingredients to make the dish your own!
Preparation and Cooking Time for Kung Pao Chicken
The preparation time for Kung Pao Chicken is relatively short. It involves marinating the chicken and preparing the sauce, which can be done in about 15 minutes.
To start, marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. This helps to infuse the chicken with flavour and tenderize it.
While the chicken is marinating, you can prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, combine light and dark soy sauce, black vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, Sichuan peppercorns, and chilli flakes. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Once the chicken is marinated and the sauce is ready, it’s time to cook. The cooking time for the dish varies depending on the heat source and the size of the chicken pieces, but on average, it takes approximately 10 minutes to stir-fry the ingredients and cook the sauce.
In a hot skillet or wok, heat some vegetable oil and stir-fry the dried and fresh chilli peppers, chicken, scallions, and garlic until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Add in the sauce and give everything a good stir, allowing the flavours to meld together. Cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken and vegetables.
And there you have it! A delicious Kung Pao Chicken is ready to serve in around 30 minutes. The combination of tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and the bold flavours of the sauce make this dish a crowd-pleaser.
Remember, you can adjust the preparation and cooking time slightly based on your personal preferences and the size of your ingredients. Whether you’re a busy weekday cook or looking for a quick and easy dinner option, Kung Pao Chicken is a fantastic choice that won’t disappoint.
Serving Suggestions for Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways to suit different tastes and preferences. One popular option is to serve it with steamed white rice. The fluffy rice helps to absorb the flavorful sauce, creating a satisfying combination of textures and flavours. The neutral taste of the rice also helps to balance out the spiciness of the dish, making it more enjoyable for those who prefer milder flavours.
If you’re craving something different, you can also serve Kung Pao Chicken with noodles. Whether it’s thick egg noodles or thin rice noodles, the noodles provide a contrasting texture to the tender chicken and crunchy peanuts. They also absorb the sauce well, ensuring that every bite is full of delicious flavour.
To add more variety and create a well-rounded meal, consider serving Kung Pao Chicken alongside stir-fried vegetables. The vibrant colours and crunchiness of the vegetables complement the spicy chicken dish perfectly. You can use a medley of vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, and broccoli. The combination of savoury chicken, spicy sauce, and fresh vegetables is not only delicious but also nutritious.
For a finishing touch, don’t forget to garnish your Kung Pao Chicken with extra roasted peanuts, chopped scallions, and spicy chili flakes. These garnishes add a pop of flavor, texture, and visual appeal to the dish. Whether you’re serving it as part of a special occasion or a weeknight dinner, these serving suggestions will elevate your Kung Pao Chicken experience to the next level.
FAQs
What is Kung Pao Chicken?
Kung Pao Chicken is a classic Chinese stir-fry dish made with marinated chicken, vegetables, peanuts, and a deliciously spicy sauce.
What are the main ingredients for Kung Pao Chicken?
The main ingredients for Kung Pao Chicken include boneless chicken, soy sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, Chinese black vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, Sichuan peppercorns, chilli flakes, vegetable oil, dried Chinese peppers, fresh chilli peppers, scallions, garlic, and roasted peanuts.
What are the nutrition details of Kung Pao Chicken?
On average, a serving of Kung Pao Chicken contains approximately 348 calories, 32g of protein, 20g of fat, 11g of carbohydrates, and 3g of fiber. The dish is also a source of essential vitamins and minerals.
Kung Pao Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- Boneless chicken such as chicken breast or thighs
- Soy sauce
- Rice wine
- Cornstarch
- Chinese black vinegar
- Hoisin sauce
- Sesame oil
- Honey
- Sichuan peppercorns
- Chili flakes
- Vegetable oil
- Dried Chinese peppers
- Fresh chili peppers
- Scallions
- Garlic
- Roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Start by marinating the chicken. In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.Soy sauce, Rice wine, Cornstarch, Boneless chicken
- Next, prepare the sauce. In another bowl, combine light and dark soy sauce, black vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili flakes. Mix well to create a savory and spicy sauce that will elevate the taste of the dish.Chinese black vinegar, Hoisin sauce, Sesame oil, Honey, Chili flakes, Sichuan peppercorns
- Heat a skillet or wok over high heat. Add vegetable oil and let it heat up until shimmering. Carefully add the dried and fresh chili peppers, chicken, scallions, and garlic to the hot skillet. Stir-fry everything together for about 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.Vegetable oil, Dried Chinese peppers, Fresh chili peppers, Scallions, Garlic
- Pour the prepared sauce over the stir-fried ingredients. Stir everything together to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly. Add the roasted peanuts and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.Roasted peanuts
- Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish the Kung Pao Chicken with extra peanuts, scallions, and chili flakes to add visual appeal and an extra burst of flavor.
