Kung Pao Hen | The Recipe Critic


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A takeout favourite for good cause! Kung pao rooster is pan-fried to crispy perfection and coated in a spicy, savory sauce that can depart you wanting extra. When you attempt making it from scratch, you gained’t need it every other approach!

In search of extra better-than-takeout recipes? Attempt these: dynamite shrimp, simple fried rice, and Szechuan beef!

Cooked kung pao chicken with bell peppers in a black wok.

Selfmade Kung Pao Hen Recipe

Craving some spicy-sweet Kung Pao rooster however quick on time? This recipe is the reply. We’re ditching the deep-frying for a lighter pan-fry, however belief me, the flavour doesn’t skimp. The home made kung pao sauce is so wonderful – garlicky, vinegary, with a sneaky chili kick. Stir-fried along with chopped bell peppers and peanuts, this home made Kung Pao rooster is the right mixture of flavors and textures!

Selfmade kung pao rooster is weeknight-friendly, party-approved, and assured to go away your tastebuds singing. It’s all the time a success with everybody! So seize your wok, crank up the warmth, and let’s get cooking!

Ingredient Checklist

Right here’s every part you’ll want for the crispy pan-fried rooster and the wonderful sauce to coat it with! All measurements are within the recipe card on the finish of the submit.

  • Hen: Reduce your rooster breasts into uniform, small items so every part cooks evenly.
  • Cornstarch & Eggs: For the crispy, golden coating! This duo creates a crunchy shell that seals in juiciness and lets the sauce cling round every bit of rooster.
  • Dried Purple Chili Pepper: So the kung pao rooster has its basic spice. Bear in mind, somewhat goes a great distance!
  • Garlic & Ginger: Minced finely, they’ll infuse the entire dish with their taste.
  • Soy Sauce & Rice Vinegar: The salty-tangy dream crew! Soy brings umami richness, whereas rice vinegar provides a tangy punch.
  • Chinkiang Vinegar: Provides a posh, mellow sweetness that rounds out the sauce. You could find this on-line or at your native Asian grocer.
  • Purple Chili Paste: This fiery jam packs a concentrated punch of spice. Use a lightweight hand at first, you possibly can all the time add extra later if you need extra spice.
  • Bell Peppers: Add juicy crunch and vibrant pops of coloration. They’re the confetti cannons of the stir-fry, making each chunk a fiesta.
  • Peanuts: For texture and nutty taste.
  • Inexperienced Onions: Chopped so as to add a garnish on prime.

Tips on how to Make Kung Pao Hen

Warmth up that wok, as a result of it’s time to make a knockout dinner! This home made kung pao rooster is filled with a lot taste, everybody will adore it!

  1. Season: Season the chopped rooster with salt and pepper after which put aside.
  2. Coating Combination: Place the cornstarch and overwhelmed eggs into two separate bowls. Dip the seasoned rooster into the cornstarch then coat within the egg combination.
  3. Warmth Pan: Warmth 2 tablespoons of the oil in a big skillet or wok over medium excessive warmth. Add the battered rooster to the pan, chances are you’ll have to work in batches to keep away from crowding the pan.
  4. Pan-Fry: Fry the rooster, tossing and turning them each couple of minutes to evenly brown the rooster on both sides, about 8-10 minutes.
  5. Sauce Combination: Whereas the rooster is cooking, make the sauce by whisking collectively the minced chili pepper, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chinkiang vinegar, and pink chili paste.
  6. Cornstarch Slurry: In a separate small bowl, whisk collectively the cornstarch and water to make a cornstarch slurry, put aside.
  7. Sauté Greens: As soon as all of the rooster is cooked take away it from the pan and put aside. Add extra of the oil to the pan and add within the pink bell pepper, inexperienced bell pepper, and dried pink chilis. Saute the greens till they start to melt and brown.
  8. Mix: Add the rooster again to the skillet and pour the sauce over the rooster and greens. Stir fry the rooster and greens within the kung pao sauce for 4-5 minutes.
  9. Thicken: Proceed to cook dinner till the sauce has thickened, stirring regularly to coat all of the rooster and greens evenly.
  10. Serve: Take away the pan from warmth and serve the kung pao rooster over rice and garnish with peanuts and inexperienced onions.
6-photo collage of the chicken, sauce, and stir fry being prepared.

Cut back the Warmth

Kung pao rooster is usually a reasonably spicy dish, however in case you are wanting to scale back the warmth, take away the dried chilis and scale back the quantity of chili paste used within the sauce.

Closeup of kung pao chicken, being scooped up with a wooden spoon.

Storing Leftover Kung Pao Hen

Kung pao rooster is nice for having fun with later! Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.

A serving of chicken and rice in a black bowl.

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  • Season the chopped rooster with salt and pepper and put aside.

  • Place the cornstarch and overwhelmed eggs into two separate bowls. Dip the seasoned rooster into the cornstarch then coat within the egg combination.

  • Warmth 2 tablespoons of the oil in a big skillet or wok over medium excessive warmth. Add the battered rooster to the pan, chances are you’ll have to work in batches to keep away from crowding the pan.

  • Fry the rooster, tossing and turning them each couple of minutes to evenly brown the rooster on both sides, about 8-10 minutes.

  • Whereas the rooster is cooking, make the sauce by whisking collectively the minced chili pepper, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chinkiang vinegar, and pink chili paste.

  • In a separate small bowl, whisk collectively the cornstarch and water to make a cornstarch slurry, put aside.

  • As soon as all of the rooster is cooked take away it from the pan and put aside. Add extra of the oil to the pan and add within the pink bell pepper, inexperienced bell pepper, and dried pink chilis. Saute the greens till they start to melt and brown.

  • Add the rooster again to the skillet and pour the sauce over the rooster and greens. Stir fry the rooster and greens within the kung pao sauce for 4-5 minutes.

  • Proceed to cook dinner till the sauce has thickened, stirring regularly to coat all of the rooster and greens evenly.

  • Take away the pan from warmth and serve the kung pao rooster over rice and garnish with peanuts and inexperienced onions.

Energy: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 38gFats: 18gSaturated Fats: 3gPolyunsaturated Fats: 7gMonounsaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 0.1gLdl cholesterol: 179mgSodium: 596mgPotassium: 746mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 851IUVitamin C: 32mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 2mg

Vitamin info is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.



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