Best 3 Ken Homs Classic Kung Pao Chicken Recipes

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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



Kung Pao Chicken image

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

2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cloves garlic
One 2-inch piece ginger
2 tablespoons neutral oil
2 to 3 dried red chile peppers
1/2 pound green beans or Chinese long beans, sliced on a diagonal into 1-inch pieces
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1/2 bunch scallions, trimmed and sliced on a diagonal
1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn powder or crushed black peppercorns and coriander seeds
1/2 cup unsalted roasted peanuts, plus more for garnish
Cooked white rice, for serving

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



Kung Pao Chicken image

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

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into chunks
2 tablespoons white wine
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
2 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
1 ounce hot chile paste
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons brown sugar
4 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts
4 ounces chopped peanuts

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



Kung Pao Chicken image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 tablespoon rice wine
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons peanut oil
4 dried red chiles remove stems and cut in halves
1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled, thinly sliced, smashed
1 garlic, smashed
1 green onion, cut the white part into 1/2 -inch pieces, julienne the green parts
1/4 cup deep-fried peanuts
2 tablespoons chicken stock plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed together to make slurry

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.

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