Kungpao Chicken Recipe: A Delicious and Spicy Chinese Dish

Want some spice in your meals? Kungpao Chicken is a spicy and savoury dish that features tender chunks of chicken stir-fried with peanuts, vegetables, and chilli peppers. Featuring Sichuan peppercorns, Kungpao Chicken recipes tend to have a unique numbing sensation that is hard to replicate with other ingredients. So read on to find out how to perfect your Kungpao Chicken recipe!

Where did Kungpao chicken originate from

Kungpao Chicken is a classic Chinese dish that has become a favourite worldwide. This mouthwatering dish originated in the Sichuan Province of China, also known as the land of spice. It’s named after a famous governor named Ding Baozhen, who loved spicy food and often added peanuts to his dishes. This dish became so popular that it was later renamed “Kung Pao Chicken” in his honour.

Simple Kungpao chicken recipe

Kungpao Chicken is not only delicious but also very easy to make. The dish’s flavour is a perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy, making it a perfect dish for any occasion. Here’s a simple Kungpao Chicken recipe that you can try at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ cup unsalted peanuts
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• ½ onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 6-8 dried chili peppers, seeded and chopped
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, ground
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Cooked rice, for serving

Cutlery:

• Large wok or skillet
• Measuring spoons
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Mixing bowl

Kungpao chicken recipe:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Stir until the chicken is coated evenly. Let the chicken sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavours.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok (available on WMF Official Store) or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peanuts and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Remove the peanuts from the pan and set them aside.
3. Add the diced bell peppers, onion, garlic, and ginger to the wok. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until the vegetables are slightly softened.
4. Add the dried chilli peppers to the wok and stir-fry for another minute.
5. Add the chicken to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Add the chicken broth, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and ground Sichuan peppercorns (available on One Sunny Enterprise) to the wok. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
7. Add the cooked peanuts to the wok and stir-fry for another minute.
8. Garnish the Kungpao Chicken with sliced green onions and serve it over a bed of steamed rice.

Pro Tip: When preparing Kungpao Chicken, it’s important to use a large wok or skillet to ensure that the ingredients cook evenly. A wooden spoon or spatula is also essential, as it allows you to stir-fry the ingredients quickly without damaging the pan’s surface.

Make the Kungpao chicken recipe your own

Kungpao Chicken is a classic Chinese dish that has won the hearts of many around the world. With its perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavours, it’s no wonder why this dish has become a staple in Chinese cuisine. On top of being easy to make, Kungpao chicken recipes are also versatile. You can easily substitute the chicken with tofu or other protein of your choice. Worried about the spice? Simply add more or less chilli peppers according to your preference and you’re good to go!

Have a feast with this Chinese food dish and more

The simple yet unique ingredients, coupled with tremendous flavours is what makes Kungpao chicken recipes commonly sought after. While your friends and family will definitely be impressed with your cooking skills with this Kungpao chicken recipe, why not wow their taste buds even more with these Thai food recipes and Chinese food recipes that will create the perfect meal!