Description
A bold and spicy Sichuan classic, Kung Pao Chicken is a stir-fry featuring juicy chicken, roasted peanuts, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chilies in a savory, slightly sweet sauce. Perfectly balanced in heat, umami, and texture, this dish is a must-try for spice lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 lb (500g) chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce:
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 3 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- ⅓ cup water
Stir-Fry:
- 2 tbsp peanut oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp finely chopped ginger
- 6–10 dried chilies, cut into pieces
- 3 green onions, chopped (white and green parts separated)
- 1.5 tsp ground Sichuan peppercorns
- ¾ cup roasted peanuts
Instructions
-
Marinate the Chicken:
- Mix cornstarch and light soy sauce, then coat the chicken. Let it marinate for 10-20 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix the remaining sauce ingredients with water.
-
Prepare the Wok:
- Heat peanut oil over high heat. Add garlic, ginger, and dried chilies. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
-
Cook the Chicken:
- Add the chicken to the wok and stir-fry until it turns white.
- Toss in the white parts of the green onions and continue cooking.
-
Add the Sauce:
- Pour in the sauce mixture and add Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry until the sauce thickens.
-
Finish with Peanuts and Green Onions:
- Stir in peanuts and green onions. Mix well before serving.
-
Serve Hot:
- Enjoy immediately with steamed rice or a low-carb alternative.
Notes
- For Less Heat: Reduce the number of dried chilies and remove their seeds.
- For Extra Spice: Increase Sichuan peppercorns or add chili flakes.
- Best Substitute for Sichuan Peppercorns: A mix of black pepper and coriander seeds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese, Sichuan
Nutrition
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg