Kung Pao Chicken

-


Skip to Recipe

I can never say no to Chinese food! Whenever I am feeling down in the dumps or just having a bad day, I have one local Chinese takeaway that comes to the rescue and never fails to uplift my mood.

One such recipe that I am extremely fond of whenever a craving for Chinese strikes is Kung Pao Chicken. The recipe can easily be recreated at home and you will have a winning dinner that the whole family will love!
What is Kung Pao Chicken?

Kung Pao Chicken is a famous Chinese dish with stir-fried chicken and crisp vegetables tossed in a delicious sweet and tangy sauce and topped with toasted peanuts for extra crunch.

While the dish originated in the Sichuan province of China, it remains a common sight on the menus of all Chinese takeouts in countries around the world.
The Kung Pao sauce has a right balance of flavors - sweet, savory with a hint of heat from the dry chillies. You really don’t need a lot of fancy ingredients to pull together this recipe, you can find most of them in your local grocery store.
If you are a fan of Asian Cuisine, here are some other recipes that you might like: Serve over rice, fried rice or noodles for an easy, filling, delicious and quick meal!

Notes
  • The dish is meant to be spicy. The dried red chilli peppers give the chicken a spicy kick, however you can totally skip them or de-seed them before adding if that’s your preference!
  • If you are not so fond of chicken, feel free to substitute with shrimp, beef, pork or even tofu.
  • The traditional version doesn't call for any other vegetable other than scallions, however I have used bellpeppers and onions in the recipe. You can also add any veggies of your preference like broccoli, zucchini, edamame.
  • This recipe is also great for easy meal prep-you can chop all the vegetables ahead of time and store in an airtight container the night before.

If you make this recipe, I would love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a comment below.



Kung Pao Chicken Kung Pao Chicken
Author: Happily Cooking
Preparation Time:
Cooking time:
Yields: 4-5 servings
Calories per serving: 416kcal




Ingredients:
  • 900 gm boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 5 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 6-7 pieces dried red chilies
  • 1/3 cup roasted peanuts

Instructions:
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces, 1 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1/2 tablespoon black pepper and set aside while preparing the other ingredients.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons water, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons honey, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Set aside.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, once hot, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil ,add the marinated chicken pieces and saute for 3-4 minutes until browned on the outside. Remove from the heat and set them aside.
  4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet, add the minced garlic and ginger. Stir for a minute. Then, add the bellpeppers, the onion and the red chilies, and stir for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add in the prepared sauce to the skillet and stir.
  6. Return the chicken pieces to the skillet to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until the chicken gets fully cooked.
  7. Add in the roasted peanuts and serve with rice.

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular Recipes

Chicken Pot Pie Hand Pies

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Chicken Pot Pie graces our dinner table very often during the colder months. It is comfort food at its finest and full of warm, cozy flavors. However, making it can be quite a hassle. There’s the rolling of the pie dough, the making of the filling, the assembly of the pie, and finally the baking. That is where these Chicken Pot Pie Hand Pies come in. These Hand Pies have everything you love about a classic, hearty, homemade chicken pot pie but without all the fuss. The fact that these take almost half the time of regular pot pies to bake is a big win, especially during the weeknights. Prepared with a rich and creamy filling of chicken and veggies and tucked into store-bought puff pastry, then baked until golden and crisp. With a delectable filling inside and a golden beautiful crust outside, these savory pies are such a wonderfully cozy treat to warm up with on a chilly fall or winter night. They can be
Read more

Crispy Parmesan Potato Stacks

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Who doesn't like potatoes? They are versatile, affordable, and it doesn’t take much to transform them into scrumptious, mouthwatering dishes, making them an excellent choice for party appetizers that can feed a hungry crowd. These Crispy Parmesan Potato Stacks are a fun twist on the traditional potato dishes. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes that are infused with butter, garlic and parmesan and then baked in a muffin pan until golden and crispy. As each stack bakes, the top layers of the potatoes and edges get crispy while the center remains soft and creamy. Not to mention,as they bake in the oven, they will leave your kitchen smell incredible! Though they look festive and elegant, they don’t need much to make them delish. The secret to a great stack is thinly slicing the potatoes and layering them together. So while a sharp knife is an option, you're much better off using a mandolin. This ensures that each
Read more

Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Though chia seeds have been there in the market for a pretty long time, it was only a few years ago that I came to know about them from an article. Initially, their consumption was limited to smoothies, but when puddings made with chia seeds came popping up on my Instagram feed, I knew it was time for me to give it a try! And to my surprise, it turned out awesome, and I was hooked. When the temperature rises, our breakfast staple oatmeal takes a backseat and enters CHIA SEED PUDDING. Filled with wholesome ingredients, this creamy Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding is a healthy, nourishing, and satisfying breakfast that comes together in no time. All you have to do is blend, mix, and set it into the refrigerator overnight. And, you will wake up to a delicious meal ready for you in the morning with minimal effort! Brilliant, isn’t it? Scented with vanilla, cinnamon and loaded with fresh blueberries, this pudding is simply amazing! Despite
Read more

Carrot Cake Bliss Balls

-
Image
Skip to Recipe We all have been in a similar situation. After a whole day of healthy eating, when you think that you have turned a corner, the clock strikes 3 p.m, and even before realizing, you are halfway through a bag of crisps or a big block of chocolate. When it comes to healthy eating, there’s one strategy that works time and again, and that is meal prepping. It has been a life-changer for me. Amidst hectic weekday schedules, it not only saves a lot of my time but also opens a world of healthy treats that are readily available when hunger strikes. These Carrot Cake Bliss Balls take the flavors of a traditional carrot cake and turn it into a healthy snack! Packed with fresh carrots and oats and naturally sweetened with dates, these Carrot Cake Bliss Balls satisfy your hunger and give you an instant energy boost. This no-bake recipe comes together in no time and makes for a healthy and delicious snack you can grab
Read more

Hearty Vegetable and Lentil Stew

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Rainy and cold weather seems to demand a bit of comfort food, and hence I have been making a lot of soups and stews lately. When it comes to vegetarian cooking, lentils are a favorite of mine and are always present in my pantry. They are packed with plant based protein and a great way to make filling and healthy meals. Not to forget, they are budget friendly too! This Vegetable and Lentil Stew is hearty, comforting and satisfying as it is loaded with a lot of vegetables and it is a nutritional powerhouse. If you are looking to transition to a vegetarian diet or simply looking for meatless meals, then this stew is perfect for you! Even my meat loving husband approved of it and relished it with gusto. I have used brown lentils for this recipe as they hold their shape, and at the same time, absorb all the flavors. What I love about this stew is that it is incredibly versatile and customizable. I have
Read more

Hash Brown Egg Cups

-
Image
Skip to Recipe Most days you will find us starting our day with a sweet meal, like Healthy Morning Glory Muffins , Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola , Tiramisu Chia Seed Pudding and Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins. However, once in a while, we switch things up and opt for savory bites. If you too want to opt out of sweet ways and start the day with a hearty, savory make-ahead breakfast, this is the recipe for you! These Hash Brown Egg Cups are pretty much exactly what they sound like. Hash brown cups that are filled with eggs, cheddar, bacon and veggies and then cooked in the oven. Why this Recipe Works Healthy: Packed with protein and veggies, these are a nutritious way to start your day. Easy customizable: These cups can be easily customized to suit your own tastes and preferences. You can add whatever diced veggies and meat y
Read more