Kung Pao Chicken
Quick Asian stir-fries make especially satisfying weeknight dinners. Kung pao is traditionally a seriously spicy dish, but we've given ours a moderate level of heat; feel free to adjust the quantity of red-pepper flakes to suit your taste. Serve with steamed rice.
How to Make It
Step 1
In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of the sherry, and the 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
Step 2
In a small bowl, combine the sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, water, and the remaining 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sherry, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
Step 3
In a wok or large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat. Add the peanuts and stir-fry until light brown, about 30 seconds. Remove from the pan. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the white part of the scallions and the red-pepper flakes to the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the chicken with its marinade and cook, stirring, until almost done, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the soy-sauce mixture and the scallion tops and simmer until the chicken is just done, about 1 minute longer. Stir in the peanuts.
Step 4
Variation:
Step 5
Cashew Chicken: Substitute the same amount of cashews for the peanuts.
Step 6
Wine Recommendation: Since the chicken is salty and spicy, the drink's first job is to refresh. An aromatic white wine such as a sauvignon blanc from California or South Africa will do nicely, as will your favorite cold beer.
Quick From Scratch Chicken
You May Like
MichelleH29's Review
We loved this dish! But...I only give it 5 stars with the modifications I implemented. First, it needs renamed--it is NOT Kung Pao Chicken! Kung Pao is very spicy, and this recipe as written is NOT. I doubled, maybe even tripled the red pepper flakes, and added cayenne pepper as well, and it came out decently spicy, but not overwhelming. I also chopped the peanuts, did not use any scallions (don't think it needs them), and used lite soy sauce--it still came out very salty, so this is not a recipe for anyone watching sodium. Think I may use lightly salted peanuts next time to give it better balance. I will repeat, and soon! Served with Basmati rice--delish :)
Very tasty