Best 5 Kung Pao Beef Or Chicken Recipes

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Savor the tantalizing flavors of Kung Pao, a classic Sichuan dish that tantalizes taste buds with its sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes. This delectable dish can be crafted with tender beef or succulent chicken, coated in a rich sauce made from aromatic ginger, savory garlic, and a symphony of spices. The addition of crunchy peanuts and vibrant bell peppers adds a delightful textural contrast and visual appeal. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, this comprehensive guide will lead you through two variations of the beloved Kung Pao recipe, ensuring a flavorful and unforgettable dining experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

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

KUNG PAO CHICKEN



Kung Pao Chicken image

My family loves the kung pao chicken from our favorite Chinese restaurant. But in less time than it takes for the delivery guy to arrive, we can be digging into a steaming platter of this copycat recipe! -Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
3 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons chicken stock
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon Sriracha chili sauce or 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
1 small red onion, chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, salt and pepper; set aside., Place remaining cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir in the stock, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce and chili sauce until smooth; set aside., In a large skillet or wok, stir-fry chicken in batches in 1 tablespoon oil until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm., Stir-fry onion and red pepper in remaining oil for 2-5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute longer., Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken; heat through. Stir in cilantro and peanuts.

Nutrition Facts :

KUNG PAO BEEF



Kung Pao Beef image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h8m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 1/2 pounds boneless beef sirloin
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice wine or sherry
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons peanut or corn oil
4 dried red chiles, split
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon Szechwan pepper, toasted and crushed
2 scallions, cut in 1/2-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, cut in pieces
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice wine or sherry
2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar or balsamic
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
1/3 cup roasted peanuts

Steps:

  • Trim fat from the steak and cut into 1-inch cubes. Combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine/sherry, egg white and salt in a glass bowl. Add the beef and stir to coat. Marinate for 1 hour, covered in the refrigerator.
  • Place peanut/corn oil in a wok, swirling to coat the sides, and place over high heat. Add the chilies and cook until they begin to darken. Add the garlic, ginger and Szechwan pepper; continue to cook to infuse the oil. Add the scallions and bell pepper. Remove the steak from the marinade and add it to the wok. Stir-fry the beef for 3 minutes until brown. Blend in soy sauce, rice wine, Chinese vinegar, sugar and chicken broth. Dissolve the cornstarch slurry and add it to the sauce, stirring, to thicken. Sprinkle in the peanuts and stir to coat. Serve over rice.

KUNG PAO BEEF



Kung Pao Beef image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

One 1 1/4-pound beef tenderloin, sliced into 1/2-inch thick strips
Sea salt
Freshly ground white pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Shaohsing rice wine or dry sherry
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons Chinkiang black rice vinegar or balsamic vinegar
2 heaping teaspoons Guilin chili sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
2 tablespoons peanut oil
5 whole dried Thai chiles
2 small red Fresno peppers or 1 serrano chile, bruised and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro stems and leaves
2 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper. Add the cornstarch and mix well. Set aside. In another smaller bowl, stir together the ketchup, rice wine, soy sauce, vinegar and chili sauce. Set aside. In a small pan over medium heat, toast the Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and crush 1/2 tablespoon of the peppercorns in a mortar and pestle, or in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Set aside. Leave the remaining peppercorns whole. Heat a wok over high heat and, when wok starts to smoke, add the peanut oil. Add the remaining whole Sichuan peppercorns, dried chiles and fresh chiles and stir-fry for a few seconds. Add the beef and stir-fry until the beef is brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the reserved sauce and peanuts and cook until the sauce has reduced slightly and is sticky and has a thicker consistency. Add the cilantro and scallions and toss to coat and warm through. Then transfer to a serving plate and garnish with the ground Sichuan peppercorns. Serve immediately.

KUNG PAO BEEF (OR CHICKEN)



Kung Pao Beef (or Chicken) image

I made this recipe for the first time tonight and it was delectable! My husband liked it so much that he requested it as a weekly dish, and I wholeheartedly agree! It's a wonderful recipe that allows for variety, by alternating between beef and chicken. It also comes together so quickly; the cooking time is only 5 minutes or so. I got this recipe from the Betty Crocker website, one of our sponsers here at Zaar (it has been slightly modifed by me). Please note that the prep time includes the marinating time. Something a little different and a little exotic!

Provided by Helping Hands

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 42m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 lb sirloin steak, cut into cubes (See Note below)
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 ounces diced green chilies
1 red pepper, cut into squares or slices
2 -3 scallions, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup canned diced bamboo shoot
2 cloves garlic, minced or chopped
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon hot chili oil (or more, for added spiciness)
3 dashes hot sauce (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup peanuts

Steps:

  • Note: You may also use beef stew meat but make sure that it is a high quality meat.
  • Place beef in bowl and sprinkle with 1 tsp olive oil, cornstarch, and pepper. Toss well.
  • Cover and place in fridge for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Heat 1 tbs olive oil in electric skillet or wok on high heat.
  • Add beef and and stir fry until meat is brown (about 2 minutes).
  • Remove beef.
  • Add 1 tbs olive oil to skillet and then add scallions, bell pepper, bamboo shoots, garlic, ginger, sugar, and green chiles.
  • Stir fry for 1 minute or so.
  • Add beef, hot chile oil, and hot sauce, and stir well.
  • Allow to heat thru.
  • Sprinkle with peanuts and stir just before serving.

Tips:

  • Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and ensure that your dish turns out perfectly.
  • Use a wok: A wok is the ideal cookware for stir-fries because it allows for quick and even cooking. If you don't have a wok, you can use a large skillet or sauté pan.
  • Don't overcrowd the wok: When cooking your stir-fry, make sure not to overcrowd the wok. This will prevent the ingredients from cooking evenly and will result in a soggy dish.
  • Cook the meat first: If you are using meat in your stir-fry, cook it first. This will help to ensure that the meat is cooked through and that it doesn't overcook when you add the vegetables.
  • Add the vegetables last: Add the vegetables to the wok last so that they remain crisp and tender. Stir-fry them for just a few minutes, or until they are heated through.
  • Use a sauce: A sauce is essential for adding flavor to your stir-fry. You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own. If you are making your own sauce, be sure to taste it as you go and adjust the seasonings as needed.
  • Serve immediately: Stir-fries are best served immediately after they are cooked. This will help to ensure that the dish is hot and fresh.

Conclusion:

Kung Pao beef or chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With its savory sauce, tender meat, and crisp vegetables, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and tasty meal, give Kung Pao beef or chicken a try.

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