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Easy and Authentic Kung Pao Chicken
Make Sichuan Kung Pao Chicken at home with this easy recipe. Enjoy this classic Chinese dish of stir-fried chicken, crunchy peanuts, and vegetables, perfect for beginners!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 397 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken thigh cut into small pieces
- 3 tbsp oil divided
- 4 green onion (white to light green parts) chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 thin slices ginger minced, or 2 tsp of ginger paste
- 4-6 dried chili crushed (seed removed if needed) or use 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 celery sticks chopped
- 1 small red pepper chopped
- 1/2 cups (70 g) unsalted dry roasted peanuts or cashews
For Marinating Chicken
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp shaoxing wine (Chinese rice wine) or dry sherry
- 2 tsp Potato Starch or cornstarch
- 1/8 tsp salt
For Kung Pao Sauce
- 1-1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce optional, or use regular soy sauce
- 1 tbsp shaoxing wine (Chinese rice wine) or dry sherry
- 1 tbsp Chinkiang vinegar or balsamic vinegar
- 1-1/2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp chicken stock low sodium
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp Potato Starch or cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp Sichuan peppercorn powder or freshly cracked black peppercorn
Instructions
To marinate chicken
- Mix the chicken pieces with all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl and allow them to sit for 10 minutes.
Cup of Yum
To make kung pao sauce
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce and then put it aside.
To stir-fry kung pao chicken
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large frying pan on high heat. Cook the chicken in it until it's thoroughly done. Then, move the cooked chicken to a separate bowl and keep it aside.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil back into the wok. Then, put in the garlic, ginger, crushed chilies, and green onions, and stir-fry them for 30 seconds. Next, toss in the celery and pepper, and continue to stir-fry for another minute.
- Put the chicken back into the wok and warm it up for around 30 seconds. Before adding the sauce to the wok, give it a quick stir to mix in any cornstarch that may have settled. Then, stir-fry everything for another minute. The sauce will thicken up fast.
- Toss in the peanuts, mix everything well, and serve right away. For the best taste experience, enjoy it immediately alongside freshly cooked white rice.
Nutrition Information
Calories
397kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
28g
(56%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
6g
Monounsaturated Fat
14g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
108mg
(36%)
Sodium
851mg
(35%)
Potassium
573mg
(16%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
1280IU
(26%)
Vitamin C
41mg
(46%)
Calcium
41mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 397
% Daily Value*
Calories | 397kcal | 20% |
Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
Protein | 28g | 56% |
Fat | 26g | 40% |
Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
Cholesterol | 108mg | 36% |
Sodium | 851mg | 35% |
Potassium | 573mg | 12% |
Fiber | 3g | 12% |
Sugar | 5g | 10% |
Vitamin A | 1280IU | 26% |
Vitamin C | 41mg | 46% |
Calcium | 41mg | 4% |
Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.