Kung Pao Chicken

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Democracy Dies successful Darkness

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By Ann Maloney

To get kung pao chickenhearted – a classical Sichuan crockery – right, the chickenhearted and scallions indispensable beryllium chopped to astir the size of the peanuts, truthful you get a small of each constituent successful each bite; and the condiment should beryllium a equilibrium of heat, sweetness and tang that coats each morsel, “with nary lasting sauce” successful the serving plate, according to the Leung family, authors of the cookbook “The Woks of Life.” They lament the craze of “kung pao-ing the heck retired of everything,” noting that you can’t conscionable propulsion “peanuts into immoderate wok afloat of nutrient and condiment and telephone it kung pao. The interplay of flavors and textures successful this crockery is key.” Freshly crushed Sichuan peppercorns springiness the crockery its distinctive flavor.

If you are serving the crockery with rice, enactment it connected to navigator earlier you commencement making this crockery and it should beryllium acceptable conscionable earlier the kung pao is done.

Storage: Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Where to buy: Sichuan peppercorns, Shaoxing wine, atom vinegar, and airy and acheronian soy condiment tin beryllium recovered astatine Asian markets and online.

Notes: The Leung household encourages you to “wok-roast” your ain peanuts. Here’s how: In a wok oregon skillet implicit medium-high heat, vigor 1 spoon of neutral lipid until it shimmers. Add 1 cupful of earthy peanuts and stir-fry constantly, to forestall burning, until somewhat darkened, astir 3 minutes. Turn disconnected the vigor and navigator for 1 much infinitesimal utilizing the residual vigor of the wok. Transfer to a sheet to cool.

This look calls for airy and acheronian soy sauces. You tin substitute regular low-sodium soy sauce, to taste, but it volition person an interaction connected the last result.

Adapted from “The Woks of Life” by Bill, Judy, Sarah and Kaitlin Leung (Clarkson Potter, 2022).

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 2-3 (3/4 cupful of kung pao, 1/2 cupful of rice), based connected 3

For the chicken

12 ounces boneless, skinless chickenhearted breast, chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoonful water
1 spoon cornstarch
1 spoon neutral oil, specified arsenic grapeseed oregon canola
1 spoon Shaoxing vino (may substitute Chinese atom vino oregon adust sherry)
1/8 spoon good salt
1/8 spoon crushed achromatic pepper

For the sauce

1 spoon atom vinegar
1 tablespoonful airy soy condiment (see Notes)
1 spoon cornstarch
1 spoon granulated sugar
1 spoon acheronian soy condiment (see Notes)

For the remainder of the dish

3 tablespoons neutral oil, specified arsenic grapeseed oregon canola, divided
3 mean ail cloves, smashed and sliced
2 to 4 dried reddish chiles, seeded and crumbled into tiny pieces
1/2 cupful sliced scallions, airy greenish and achromatic parts lone (from 2 tiny bunches)
2 teaspoons grated caller ginger
1/2 teaspoons crushed Sichuan capsicum (may substitute freshly cracked achromatic pepper)
1 cupful roasted unsalted peanuts (see Notes)
Cooked achromatic rice, for serving

Nutritional Facts

Per serving (3/4 cupful of kung pao, 1/2 cupful rice) based connected 3

Calories
664
Fat
42 g
Saturated Fat
5 g
Carbohydrates
41 g
Sodium
480 mg
Cholesterol
61 mg
Protein
38 g
Fiber
5 g
Sugar
6 g

This investigation is an estimation based connected disposable ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s oregon nutritionist’s advice.

Adapted from “The Woks of Life” by Bill, Judy, Sarah and Kaitlin Leung (Clarkson Potter, 2022).

Tested by Ann Maloney.

Published May 3, 2023

Updated March 17, 2026