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Kung pao chicken is served on a platter with a bowl of rice on the side.

Easy and Authentic Kung Pao Chicken

Print Recipe
Make real Kung Pao Chicken easily at home with this easy recipe. Bring the bold flavor of Sichuan cooking into your kitchen with juicy chicken, spicy chilies, and crunchy peanuts. Great for beginners!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Diet Gluten Free, Halal, Hindu, Kosher
Keyword boneless skinless chicken thigh, kung pao chicken, sichuan peppercorn, stir-fry, weeknight dinner
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 397
Author Holly Ford

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken thigh cut into small pieces
  • 3 tbsp oil divided
  • 4 green onion (white to light green parts) chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 thin slices ginger minced, or 2 tsp of ginger paste
  • 4-6 dried chili crushed (seed removed if needed)
  • 2 celery sticks chopped
  • 1 small red pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cups (70 g) unsalted dry roasted peanuts or cashews

For Marinating Chicken

For Kung Pao Sauce

Instructions

To marinate chicken

  • Mix the chicken pieces with all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl and allow them to sit for 10 minutes.

To make kung pao sauce

  • In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce and then put it aside.

To stir-fry kung pao chicken

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large frying pan on high heat. Cook the chicken in it until it's thoroughly done. Then, move the cooked chicken to a separate bowl and keep it aside.
  • Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil back into the wok. Then, put in the garlic, ginger, crushed chilies, and green onions, and stir-fry them for 30 seconds. Next, toss in the celery and pepper, and continue to stir-fry for another minute.
  • Put the chicken back into the wok and warm it up for around 30 seconds. Before adding the sauce to the wok, give it a quick stir to mix in any cornstarch that may have settled. Then, stir-fry everything for another minute. The sauce will thicken up fast.
  • Toss in the peanuts, mix everything well, and serve right away. For the best taste experience, enjoy it immediately alongside freshly cooked white rice.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 851mg | Potassium: 573mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1280IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg