Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken is a classic Sichuan dish that has become a staple in Chinese cuisine. It's a spicy stir-fry dish that's made with diced chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and a delicious sauce. The dish is named after Ding Baozhen, a governor of Sichuan in the late 19th century. The dish has since become popular throughout China and beyond, and has even been adapted to suit local tastes in other countries.
Ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced carrots
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp ginger, grated
1 tbsp dried red chili peppers
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water
Green onions, sliced, for garnish
Instructions:
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and water to make the sauce. Set aside.
In a wok or large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the Sichuan peppercorns and dried red chili peppers, and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
Add the chicken to the wok and stir-fry until it's browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the wok and set aside.
In the same wok, add the garlic, ginger, onions, bell peppers, and carrots, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
Add the chicken back to the wok and pour in the sauce. Stir-fry until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is coated, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the roasted peanuts to the wok and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Pour the Kung Pao Chicken into a serving dish and garnish with sliced green onions.
Kung Pao Chicken is best served with steamed rice and is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves spicy food. The combination of tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and crisp vegetables is perfectly balanced by the flavorful sauce. The heat from the dried red chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns is balanced by the sweetness of the hoisin sauce and sugar, making it a delicious and satisfying dish.
Overall, Kung Pao Chicken is a great choice for anyone who loves spicy food and wants to try a classic Chinese dish. It's easy to make, customizable with your favorite vegetables, and can be made as spicy or mild as you like. Whether you're making it for a weeknight dinner or serving it at a dinner party, Kung Pao Chicken is sure to be a hit.
