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Kung Pao Chicken

Note for the cook: This is not an authentic Chinese Kung Pao Chicken recipe as I use a favorite Korean food ingredient, gochujang, to spice things up! *If you don’t have time to marinate your chicken overnight, marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4
Author: Hip Foodie Mom

Ingredients

For the marinade:

  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 4 teaspoons Chinese rice wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 to 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless, chicken thigh meat, cut into 1 to 1 1/2-inch cubes

For the kung pao chicken sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons good-quality balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 to 2 heaping tablespoons Korean hot pepper paste; 2 tablespoons will make this very spicy
  • 1 heaping tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons honey or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground Sichuan pepper

For the kung pao chicken:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 8 to 10 dried red chilies
  • 3 scallions diced fine
  • 1/2 green bell pepper chopped into 3/4 inch pieces
  • 1/2 red bell pepper chopped into 3/4 inch pieces
  • 2 to 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 heaping teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1/3 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts for garnish

Instructions

  • First, you need to marinate your chicken. Using a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, sesame oil and cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved. Place the chicken in one layer in a baking dish and pour the soy sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for best results, flipping the chicken just once halfway through.*
  • When ready to cook, leave the chicken on your kitchen counter and start making the sauce. Using another small mixing bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, gochujang, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, cornstarch, and Sichuan pepper. Stir together and taste, adjusting any ingredients as needed. Set aside.
  • Using skillet or pan over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil and after a minute or two, add in the dried chilies and stir-fry for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until the oil starts to become slightly fragrant. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until no longer pink, for about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Next, add the scallions, bell peppers, garlic, and ginger. Mix together and stir fry for about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the sauce and toss together to coat. Let your Kung Pao Chicken cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and is no longer pink. Sprinkle on and mix in the peanuts and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with more scallions and peanuts if desired and serve with rice and enjoy!
  • *If you don’t have time to marinate your chicken overnight, marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.