How to Make Delicious Chicken Kung Pao at Home

Are you tired of ordering Chinese takeout every time you crave for some delicious Kung Pao chicken? Well, the good news is you can now make it easily at home! It’s a popular Chinese dish that’s not only easy to make but also very flavorful. By following a few simple steps, you can master the art of making Kung Pao chicken in no time.

First and foremost, Kung Pao chicken is all about the sauce. To make the perfect sauce, you need to mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and cornstarch. Whisk it together until the cornstarch is well-dissolved in the mixture. Once your sauce is ready, you can prep the rest of the ingredients, which typically include chicken, peanuts, chili peppers, garlic, ginger, and green onions. Trust us; it’ll be worth the effort when you taste the final result!

Ingredients

When it comes to making chicken kung pao, you’ll need a variety of ingredients that you may not have in your pantry. Here are the key ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe:

1. Chicken breast: You’ll need about 500 grams of chicken breast, cut into small, bite-size pieces.
2. Corn flour: You’ll need 2 tablespoons of corn flour to coat the chicken before frying.
3. Oil: You can use any oil for frying, but peanut oil is the traditional choice.
4. Roasted peanuts: You’ll need 1/2 cup of roasted peanuts, unsalted.
5. Vegetables: You can add any vegetables you prefer, but the traditional choice is bell peppers, onions, and celery.
6. Soy sauce: You’ll need 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for the marinade and another 2 tablespoons for the sauce.
7. Rice wine vinegar: You’ll need 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar, which adds tanginess to the sauce.
8. Sugar: You’ll need 1 tablespoon of sugar to balance the flavors.
9. Garlic and ginger: You’ll need 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of minced ginger.
10. Dried chili peppers: You’ll need 8-10 dried chili peppers to add heat to the dish.

Marinating the chicken

The first step in making chicken kung pao is to marinate the chicken. To do this, mix the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of corn flour. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.

Frying the chicken

Once the chicken is marinated, it’s time to fry it. Heat up a pan with oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in batches and fry until golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Making the sauce

Now it’s time to make the sauce for the chicken kung pao. In the same pan you used to fry the chicken, add minced garlic, minced ginger, and dried chili peppers. Cook for a minute or until fragrant.

Next, add the vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and celery. Stir-fry for a few minutes until they’re slightly softened but still have some crunch.

Then, add the roasted peanuts and stir-fry for another minute. Finally, add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of sugar to the pan, along with 1/4 cup of water. Stir to combine everything.

Bringing everything together

Now it’s time to bring everything together. Add the fried chicken to the pan with the sauce and vegetables. Stir to coat everything in the sauce.

Cook for another minute or two until everything is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more water.

Garnishing

Once the chicken kung pao is cooked, it’s time to garnish it. You can add some chopped green onions and cilantro for color and flavor.

Serving suggestions

Chicken kung pao can be served on its own as a main course, or with some steamed rice or noodles on the side. If you like it spicier, you can sprinkle some more dried chili flakes on top.

Variations

There are many variations to chicken kung pao, and you can tailor it to your taste. For instance, you can use shrimp instead of chicken, or add other vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or carrots.

Conclusion

Making chicken kung pao at home is easier than you think, and it’s a delicious and satisfying meal that can be customized in a variety of ways. With a few key ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can create a flavorful dish that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients for Chicken Kung Pao

Once you have prepared all of the ingredients, it’s time to start cooking the Chicken Kung Pao. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 pound of chicken breast, cut into small cubes
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of cornstarch
1 red bell pepper, cut into small pieces
1 green bell pepper, cut into small pieces
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup of roasted peanuts
2 scallions, sliced diagonally
For Kung Pao Sauce:
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of sesame oil

Preparing the Chicken for Kung Pao

1. Start by rinsing the chicken breast and patting it dry with paper towels. Slice it into small cubes and set aside.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and two teaspoons of water to create a slurry. Set aside.

Preparing the Vegetables for Kung Pao

1. Rinse the red and green bell peppers, chop them into small pieces, and set aside.

2. Peel and chop the onion, and set aside.

3. Slice the scallions diagonally, and set them aside.

Preparing the Kung Pao Sauce

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the Kung Pao sauce ingredients and mix well.

Cooking the Chicken Kung Pao

1. In a wok or large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced chicken and stir-fry for three to four minutes, until it turns golden brown and is no longer pink on the inside.

2. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the wok or skillet and set it aside.

3. In the same wok or skillet, add the chopped onion and stir-fry for one minute.

4. Add the chopped bell peppers to the wok or skillet, and stir-fry for another two to three minutes.

5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.

6. Add the sauce to the skillet, and stir until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce.

7. Add the roasted peanuts to the skillet, and stir for another minute or two until everything is heated through.

8. Turn off the heat, and sprinkle the sliced scallions over the top of the Kung Pao chicken as garnish.

Tips for the Perfect Chicken Kung Pao

1. Do not overcook the chicken. Overcooked chicken tends to become dry and tough, so it’s important to cook it just right.

2. Adjust the spice level according to your taste. If you prefer your Kung Pao chicken less spicy, reduce the amount of chili garlic sauce or omit it altogether.

3. Don’t forget the peanuts! The roasted peanuts add a crunchy texture and delicious nutty flavor to the dish.

4. Serve with steamed rice or noodles. Chicken Kung Pao makes a great one-dish meal, but it’s even better when served with rice or noodles on the side.

5. Experiment with different proteins. If you’re not a fan of chicken, try making Kung Pao shrimp, beef, or tofu instead. The sauce works well with all types of protein.

Ingredients needed for chicken kung pao

Making chicken kung pao is not difficult, and most of the ingredients can be easily found in your local market. Here are the ingredients you will need to make chicken kung pao at home:

Preparation for chicken kung pao

Now let’s talk about how to prepare this delicious chicken kung pao dish. Follow these simple steps to make the perfect chicken kung pao:

Step 1: Marinating the chicken

The first step in making chicken kung pao is to marinate the chicken. Cut the chicken breast into small cubes and add cornstarch and soy sauce to it. Mix it well and let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Roasting the peanuts

Roast the peanuts in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes until they turn light brown. This will add a smoky flavor to the dish and a crunchy texture.

Step 3: Preparing the sauce

In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Keep it aside.

Step 4: Cooking the chicken

Heat the oil in a pan and add the marinated chicken to it. Cook it well for 5-6 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and keep it aside.

Step 5: Cooking the vegetables

In the same pan, add garlic, ginger, and dry red chili and saute it until you can smell the aroma of the garlic. Add green onions, roasted peanuts, and the sauce to it and cook for a minute.

Step 6: Final step

Now, add the cooked chicken to the pan and mix it all well. Your chicken kung pao dish is ready to serve hot.

In conclusion, by following the above steps and using the right ingredients, you can easily make chicken kung pao at home. It is a perfect dish for any family gathering and is sure to please everyone’s taste buds. Enjoy your delicious chicken kung pao!

Enjoy Your Kung Pao Chicken!

Hope you guys had fun learning how to make Kung Pao Chicken at home. Don’t be afraid to customize the recipe to your liking. Maybe add in some veggies or swap the chicken for tofu. The possibilities are endless! Thanks for taking the time to read this article, and I hope you come back soon for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Until next time, keep on cooking!