Best 3 Hunan Kung Pao Recipes

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Tantalize your taste buds with Hunan Kung Pao, a delectable dish that embodies the fiery essence of Hunan cuisine. Originating from the heart of China, this dish is renowned for its bold flavors, vibrant colors, and the perfect balance between sweet, sour, and spicy notes. At the helm of this culinary symphony is the iconic Kung Pao chicken, succulent morsels of chicken enveloped in a tantalizing sauce made from a symphony of ingredients, including soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, ginger, and of course, the fiery punch of chili peppers. But the culinary journey doesn't end there. Hunan Kung Pao also presents a vegetarian rendition, catering to those with a plant-based preference. This vegetarian delight showcases the versatility of Kung Pao sauce, which effortlessly transforms humble vegetables into an extraordinary symphony of flavors. Embark on this culinary adventure and discover the secrets behind this beloved Hunan dish, with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to guide you towards Kung Pao mastery.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

KUNG PAO CHICKEN RECIPE - CHINESE RESTAURANT QUALITY



Kung Pao Chicken Recipe - Chinese Restaurant Quality image

Kung Pao Chicken exists both in traditional Chinese cuisine and on takeout menus. This easy, authentic Sichuan kung pao chicken recipe is the real thing.

Provided by Judy

Categories     Chicken and Poultry

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 cup raw peanuts ((shelled, with or without the skin))
Can also substitute roasted shelled peanuts and skip this step!
12 oz. 340g chicken breast, cut into 3/4" cubes
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon shaoxing wine
1/8 teaspoon salt
a pinch of ground white pepper
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons oil
3 cloves garlic (, smashed and sliced)
2 thin slices ginger (, minced)
2 dried red chilies
1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn powder
6 scallions (, white portions only, cut into 3/4" pieces)

Steps:

  • Heat a teaspoon of oil in a wok over medium heat and add a cup of raw shelled peanuts. Stir constantly (or they'll burn) for 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir for another minute using the residual heat in the wok. Set aside to cool. They will turn crunchy once they're cooled completely. You can also skip this step and use already roasted shelled peanuts.
  • Marinate the chicken. Mix together the chicken with all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and set aside for 20 minutes.
  • Prepare the sauce. Mix together all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wok over high heat. Sear the chicken, remove from the wok to a bowl, and set aside.
  • Turn the heat to low and add another tablespoon oil. Add the garlic, ginger, chilies, Sichuan peppercorn powder, and scallions. Cook for a minute or two until fragrant.
  • Add the chicken back to the pan and turn up the heat to high. Stir-fry for a minute and then use your finger to stir up your prepared sauce (the cornstarch will have settled to the bottom, so make sure it's well incorporated). Add the sauce to the wok and stir-fry for another minute. The sauce should thicken very quickly.
  • Finally, add the peanuts. Give everything a final stir and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440 kcal, Carbohydrate 11 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 33 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 54 mg, Sodium 477 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving

KUNG PAO CHICKEN



Kung Pao Chicken image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons minced ginger
1 tablespoon sherry
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons peanut oil
8 dried Asian chile peppers, snipped into small pieces
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced small
2 stalks celery, very finely sliced
1 large red bell pepper, cut into large chunks
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
Cooked lo mein or chow mein noodles, for serving
2 green onions, sliced

Steps:

  • Begin by mixing the sauce ingredients together: Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, sherry, sriracha, cornstarch slurry, rice wine vinegar and garlic in a bowl.
  • Heat the peanut oil over high heat in a large skillet. Drop in the chiles and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds to release the heat. Add the chicken and fry until cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet. Add the celery and red pepper and cook for 1 minute, then return the chicken to the skillet. Pour in the sauce mixture and cook until the sauce has thickened, a couple of minutes. Add the peanuts and toss together.
  • Serve over noodles and garnish with sliced green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 376, Fat 21 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Cholesterol 157 milligrams, Sodium 814 milligrams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 32 grams, Sugar 6 grams

KUNG PAO CHICKEN



Kung Pao Chicken image

Spicy chicken with peanuts, similar to what is served in Chinese restaurants. It is easy to make, and you can be as sloppy with the measurements as you want. They reduce to a nice, thick sauce. Substitute cashews for peanuts, or bamboo shoots for the water chestnuts. You can't go wrong! Enjoy!

Provided by Arlena

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Chinese

Time 1h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into chunks
2 tablespoons white wine
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
2 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
1 ounce hot chile paste
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons brown sugar
4 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts
4 ounces chopped peanuts

Steps:

  • To Make Marinade: Combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture and mix together. Place chicken pieces in a glass dish or bowl and add marinade. Toss to coat. Cover dish and place in refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
  • To Make Sauce: In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture, chili paste, vinegar and sugar. Mix together and add green onion, garlic, water chestnuts and peanuts. In a medium skillet, heat sauce slowly until aromatic.
  • Meanwhile, remove chicken from marinade and saute in a large skillet until meat is white and juices run clear. When sauce is aromatic, add sauteed chicken to it and let simmer together until sauce thickens.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 436.5 calories, Carbohydrate 25.3 g, Cholesterol 65.9 mg, Fat 23.3 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 34.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 595.6 mg, Sugar 6.8 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
  • If you don't have Shaoxing wine, you can substitute dry sherry or white wine.
  • To make the dish gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
  • If you like your Kung Pao chicken spicy, add more chili peppers or Sichuan peppercorns.
  • Serve the Kung Pao chicken over rice or noodles.

Conclusion:

Hunan Kung Pao chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It is also a great way to introduce your family and friends to the flavors of Hunan cuisine. With its combination of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, Hunan Kung Pao chicken is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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