Kung Pao Chicken
Ingredients
- 500 gboneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2cm cubes
- 15 mlsoy sauce (for chicken marinade)
- 15 mlShaoxing wine (for chicken marinade, or dry sherry)
- 10 gcornstarch (for chicken marinade)
- 30 mlsoy sauce (for sauce)
- 15 mlChinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 15 mlShaoxing wine (for sauce)
- 15 gsugar
- 5 mlsesame oil
- 60 mlchicken stock or water
- 10 gcornstarch (for sauce)
- 45 mlvegetable oil
- 9dried red chilies (adjust to taste)
- 5 mlSichuan peppercorns
- 3 clovesgarlic, minced
- 2 cmginger, minced
- 4spring onions, white and green parts separated, cut into 2cm pieces
- 80 groasted unsalted peanuts
Instructions
Combine chicken with soy sauce, wine, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside for 15 minutes.
Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat until smoking. Add oil, then dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant (don't burn them).
Add the marinated chicken and spread it out. Let it sear undisturbed for 1 minute, then stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
Add garlic, ginger, and white parts of spring onions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds.
Give the sauce a quick stir and pour it into the wok. Toss everything together until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken (about 1 minute).
Add peanuts and green parts of spring onions. Toss for 30 seconds.
Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Recipe by
Paul NagleShop All Ingredients
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- 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2cm cubesWoolworths
- 15 ml soy sauceWoolworths
- 15 ml Shaoxing wineWoolworths
- 10 g cornstarchWoolworths
- 30 ml soy sauceWoolworths
- 15 ml Chinese black vinegarWoolworths
- 15 ml Shaoxing wineWoolworths
- 15 g sugarWoolworths
- 5 ml sesame oilWoolworths
- 60 ml chicken stock or waterWoolworths
- 10 g cornstarchWoolworths
- 45 ml vegetable oilWoolworths
- 9 dried red chiliesWoolworths
- 5 ml Sichuan peppercornsWoolworths
- 3 cloves garlic, mincedWoolworths
- 2 cm ginger, mincedWoolworths
- 4 spring onions, white and green parts separated, cut into 2cm piecesWoolworths
- 80 g roasted unsalted peanutsWoolworths
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Essential
- wok or large frying pan
- small bowl
- spoon or spatula for stirring
Helpful
- whiskoptional
- mixing bowloptional
- knifeoptional
- cutting boardoptional
- rice cooker or potoptional
Beverage pairings
Wine
Riesling (Clare Valley or Eden Valley)
Off-dry to dry
Crisp acidity and slight sweetness complement the spice and umami; aromatic profile matches ginger and garlic
Gewürztraminer (Adelaide Hills)
Off-dry aromatic white
Floral and spicy notes echo Sichuan peppercorns; richness balances heat without overwhelming
Pinot Gris (Tasmania or Victoria)
Dry white
Light body and bright acidity cut through rich sauce; mineral notes complement soy and vinegar
Beer
Little Creatures Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
Citrus hops provide refreshment against heat; moderate body complements peanuts and spice
Coopers Sparkling Ale
Australian Pale Ale
Crisp carbonation and light sweetness balance Sichuan peppercorn numbness; classic pairing with Asian cuisine
Non-alcoholic
Jasmine or green tea (chilled)
Delicate floral notes complement the dish; tannins aid digestion of rich, spicy food
Ginger beer or ginger ale
Spicy ginger resonates with the recipe's ginger component; carbonation refreshes the palate
Lychee or lychee-rose sparkling drink
Light, floral sweetness provides contrast to heat and umami; refreshing between bites
Ingredients
- 500gboneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2cm cubes
- 15mlsoy sauce(for chicken marinade)
- 15mlShaoxing wine(for chicken marinade, or dry sherry)
- 10gcornstarch(for chicken marinade)
- 30mlsoy sauce(for sauce)
- 15mlChinese black vinegar(or rice vinegar)
- 15mlShaoxing wine(for sauce)
- 15gsugar
- 5mlsesame oil
- 60mlchicken stock or water
- 10gcornstarch(for sauce)
- 45mlvegetable oil
- 9dried red chilies(adjust to taste)
- 5mlSichuan peppercorns
- 3clovesgarlic, minced
- 2cmginger, minced
- 4spring onions, white and green parts separated, cut into 2cm pieces
- 80groasted unsalted peanuts