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Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken

This Kung Pao Chicken recipe is an easy, homemade version of a Chinese restaurant favorite, featuring marinated chicken, water chestnuts, and peanuts.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4 servings
Calories 437 kcal

Equipment

  • large glass bowl
  • medium bowl
  • large skillet
  • medium skillet
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons white wine divided
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce divided
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil divided
  • 1.5 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves cut into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons hot chili paste or to taste
  • 1.5 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
  • 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts drained
  • ¾ cup chopped peanuts
  • 4 green onions chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients.
  • Whisk 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch in a large glass bowl until smooth. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Combine remaining 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a medium bowl. Whisk in chili paste, brown sugar, and vinegar. Add water chestnuts, peanuts, green onions, and garlic and toss to coat.
  • Transfer water chestnut sauce mixture to a medium skillet. Heat slowly over medium heat until aromatic.
  • Meanwhile, transfer chicken from marinade into a large skillet; cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
  • Combine water chestnut mixture and cooked chicken together in one skillet. Adjust heat and simmer until sauce thickens and coats chicken, 1 to 2 minutes.

Notes

For extra heat, add more chili paste or a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can prepare the chicken marinade and the sauce mixture (without the water chestnuts and peanuts) up to a day in advance.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 34gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 596mgPotassium: 621mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Asian cuisine, Chicken, easy recipe, Kung Pao Chicken, quick meal, spicy
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