Kung Pao Chicken
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 552kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thigh diced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- A pinch of salt
Stir fry ingredients:
- 8 pieces dried chilies
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 5 stems green onions chopped
- 1 zucchini diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1/2 roasted peanuts
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
Kung pao sauce ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
Instructions
- Combine chicken, 1 tablespoon soy sauce,1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
- Combine all the kung pao sauce ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
- Start to stir fry by heating 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a wok. Add the dried chilies. Stir fry for 5 seconds.
- Add the marinated chicken. Stir fry for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic, white part of the green onion, and ginger. Continue to stir fry for 20 seconds before adding the bell pepper, zucchini, and peanuts, and remaining green onions. Stir fry for 45 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour the sauce into the wok. Stir fry until the chicken is coated evenly. Note: you can add around 1 to 3 tablespoons of water (as needed) while stir frying to prevent the sauce from clumping.
- Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with rice.
- Share and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Here's a fun and interesting fact about spicy food:
- Eating spicy foods can actually trigger the release of endorphins in your brain, which are natural feel-good chemicals! That's why some people feel a "spicy high" or a sense of euphoria when they indulge in spicy dishes like kung pao chicken. So, not only is spicy food delicious, but it can also give you a natural mood boost.
- To keep your eyes from getting teary while stir-frying chilies, opening a window or turning on a fan can help clear the spicy air. If all else fails, hold your breath or cover your nose and mouth with a cloth while working with those fiery chilies. Stay cool and cook on. Best of luck, my friend!
Nutrition
Calories: 552kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 168mg | Sodium: 1191mg | Potassium: 719mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1843IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg