Ken Hom's Classic Kung Pao Chicken is a flavorful and aromatic dish that combines the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. Originating from the Sichuan province in China, this dish has become a popular favorite around the world for its vibrant colors and unique taste. With its tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a delicious sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chili peppers, this dish is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect Ken Hom's Classic Kung Pao Chicken, complete with helpful tips and tricks to ensure you achieve the authentic flavors of this beloved dish.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
KUNG PAO CHICKEN
When I was growing up, whenever my family would order from our favorite Chinese restaurant, we'd order the same things: many orders of pot stickers and kung pao chicken, hold the peanuts (because my mom is allergic!). Even as a picky eater, I loved how saucy and flavorful the kung pao chicken was. Every single time we ordered it, my older sister would pick out a dried chile with her fingers, hold it in my face, and try to convince me to eat this "dehydrated carrot." I never fell for it!
Provided by Molly Yeh
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Whisk together the cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar in a medium bowl. Add the chicken, then toss to coat and let marinate at room temperature, 20 minutes.
- Combine the hoisin, sugar, remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, remaining 2 tablespoons rice vinegar and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Grate the garlic and ginger into the sauce. Stir and set aside.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil, then add the chicken. Stir-fry until browned on the outside, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chiles, green beans, red pepper, scallions whites, Sichuan peppercorn powder and peanuts. Stir-fry until fragrant and the veggies are crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the sauce and simmer until thickened slightly and the chicken is completely cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes. Garnish with the scallion greens and additional peanuts. Serve with the rice.
KUNG PAO CHICKEN
Spicy chicken with peanuts, similar to what is served in Chinese restaurants. It is easy to make, and you can be as sloppy with the measurements as you want. They reduce to a nice, thick sauce. Substitute cashews for peanuts, or bamboo shoots for the water chestnuts. You can't go wrong! Enjoy!
Provided by Arlena
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 1h30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- To Make Marinade: Combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture and mix together. Place chicken pieces in a glass dish or bowl and add marinade. Toss to coat. Cover dish and place in refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- To Make Sauce: In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture, chili paste, vinegar and sugar. Mix together and add green onion, garlic, water chestnuts and peanuts. In a medium skillet, heat sauce slowly until aromatic.
- Meanwhile, remove chicken from marinade and saute in a large skillet until meat is white and juices run clear. When sauce is aromatic, add sauteed chicken to it and let simmer together until sauce thickens.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 436.5 calories, Carbohydrate 25.3 g, Cholesterol 65.9 mg, Fat 23.3 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 34.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 595.6 mg, Sugar 6.8 g
KUNG PAO CHICKEN
Steps:
- Marinade: In a non-reactive bowl, prepare the marinade. Combine the rice wine, peanut oil, soy sauce, salt and cornstarch. Stir in the chicken pieces and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the sauce. Set aside.
- Over high heat, in a wok, bring the peanut oil to almost smoking temperature. Stir-fry the chilies, ginger, garlic and white part of the green onions for 30 to 40 seconds, or until the chilies turn dark. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden in color.
- Add the sauce and bring to a boil. Add the peanuts. Thicken with the slurry and continue to cook until glossy. Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with julienne green onions.
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need. This will help you stay organized and make the cooking process smoother.
- Use a good quality, dry sherry: The sherry will add a nice flavor to the dish, so it's important to use a good quality one. If you don't have dry sherry, you can substitute it with another dry white wine.
- Don't overcook the chicken: The chicken should be cooked until it's just cooked through. If you overcook it, it will become tough and chewy.
- Serve immediately: Kung Pao chicken is best served immediately after it's cooked. This will ensure that the chicken is still crispy and the sauce is still hot and flavorful.
Conclusion:
Kung Pao chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce, Kung Pao chicken is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love