Chinese · serves 2

Kung Pao Chicken

Sweet, sour, numbing and fast. Twenty-five minutes once everything is chopped.

25 min Some work Non-vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 500g chicken, cubed
  • 1 tbsp cornflour
  • 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
  • 8 dried red chillies
  • 1 tsp sichuan pepper (optional)
  • 6 garlic cloves, 1 inch ginger
  • 3 spring onions
  • Sauce: 2 tbsp soy, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cornflour, 3 tbsp water
  • 3 tbsp oil

Method

  1. Toss the chicken in cornflour, soy and a splash of water. That coating keeps it tender.
  2. Mix the sauce in a cup before you start. Once the wok is hot there is no time.
  3. Hot oil, dried chillies and sichuan pepper for 20 seconds till fragrant, not black.
  4. Chicken in one layer, 2 minutes untouched, then toss till cooked.
  5. Garlic, ginger, white parts of the spring onion, 30 seconds.
  6. Sauce in, bubbles and thickens in seconds. Peanuts and green spring onion off the heat. Rice.

Questions people ask about Kung Pao Chicken

How long does Kung Pao Chicken take?

About 25 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

What can I use instead of chicken in Kung Pao Chicken?

Use paneer, firm tofu or mushrooms. All three cook far faster than chicken, so add them in the last 5 minutes rather than at the start.

Can I make Kung Pao Chicken ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Can I make Kung Pao Chicken vegetarian?

Yes. Replace the chicken with paneer, firm tofu, mushrooms or soya chunks. All of them cook far faster than meat, so add them in the last five minutes rather than at the start, and keep the masala exactly as written.

What do you serve with Kung Pao Chicken?

Steamed rice. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

More ideas by ingredient

If you liked this

Steamed Fish with Ginger and Spring Onion
20 min · Some work
Dan Dan Noodles
25 min · Some work
Lo Han Chai
20 min · Easy
Tofu and Broccoli in Tamarind Sauce
20 min · Easy
Soy Garlic Beans
20 min · Easy
Mapo Tofu
25 min · Some work