Kung Pao Chicken recipe

Kung Pao Chicken recipe

This Chinese chicken recipe is for Andreea, who requested some Asian recipes (I’m going to post some Japanese ones soon, as I’m a big sushi fan).

Kung Pao chicken is a classic dish in Sichuan (or Szechuan) cuisine. It has 11 points per serving, but it’s worth trying at least once because it’s so delicious.

Weight Watchers Kung Pao Chicken recipe
Makes 3 servings

Ingredients

3 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
5 teaspoons soy sauce, divided
5 teaspoons dry sherry, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chicken broth or water
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/3 cup salted peanuts
6-8 small dried hot chili peppers
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
2 green onions, with tops, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
green onions (for garnish)
dried hot chili peppers (for garnish)
Preparation
1. For marinade, combine 2 tsp. cornstarch, 2 tsp. soy sauce, 2 tsp. sherry and salt in large bowl; mix well.
2. Add chicken; stir to coat well.
3. Let stand 30 minutes.
4. Combine remaining 1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch, 3 tsp. soy sauce, 3 tsp. sherry, vinegar, chicken broth and sugar in small bowl; mix well, set aside.
5. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in wok or large skillet over medium heat.
6. Add peanuts; cook and stir until lightly toasted.
7. Remove peanuts from wok; set aside. Heat remaining 2 tbsp. oil in wok over medium heat.
8. Add chili peppers; stir-fry until peppers just begin to char, about 1 minute. Increase heat to high.
9. Add chicken mixture; stir-fry 2 minutes.
10. Add ginger; stir-fry until chicken is no longer pink in center, about 1 minute. Add peanuts and onions; stir-fry 1 minute. Stir cornstarch mixture; add to wok.
11. Cook and stir until sauce boils and thickens.
12. Garnish, if desired.