Roasted peanuts, ginger, garlic, and spicy crimson chilies give this simple kung pao hen a kick that makes it fairly distinctive.
Kung Pao hen is savory and candy with as a lot spiciness as you may want. The peanuts present a further nutty taste that actually brings all of it collectively.

My husband and children devoured their servings, peppers and all. I merely left the peppers on my plate and the stir fry was the right degree of warmth for my style.
I discovered this recipe for the best-ever kung pao chicken over ten years in the past and it’s been a household favourite for all of those years. I’ve realized to double this recipe since I first began making it.
The recipe under is already doubled from the unique. When you’ve made it previously and like a smaller recipe, use the slider within the recipe card to scale back the serving measurement to three.
Straightforward Kung Pao Hen
My favourite flavors as of late are present in Asian meals and I’m all the time on the lookout for extra stir fry concepts. I by no means can resist the ready-made freezer meals at Dealer Joe’s and their Kung Pao Hen and Orange Hen have each been staples in our freezer for a few years.
That stated, it was effectively previous time for me to attempt my hand at genuine kung pao hen, so I used to be thrilled to search out this simple recipe. Whereas the ingredient record is a bit lengthy at first look, like most stir-fry recipes the dish comes collectively in a short time.
The elements on this recipe could also be a bit completely different from what you’re used to, however they’re all very simple to search out in an Asian market or on-line. I sometimes store within the shops (as a result of I like to see the variability in particular person!) but when there isn’t a close-by choice or if you need a visible earlier than procuring, I’ve linked to a couple comparable merchandise right here.

Kung Pao Hen Substances
There are a number of elements in Kung Pao Hen which can be adaptable to what you might need available. Black soy sauce is thick and virtually syrupy and simply the teaspoon of it on this recipe does make a distinction. Nevertheless, I’ve made this with out it once I didn’t have it available, and it’s nonetheless scrumptious with common soy sauce.
I don’t sometimes use Chinese black vinegar, as a result of with solely ¼ teaspoon within the recipe, it isn’t one thing I’m more likely to buy only for this recipe. I take advantage of balsamic vinegar, which is the really useful substitution and it really works nice.

Kung Pao Sauce
There are two components to the sauce that makes up a Kung Pao stir fry. First, you’ll marinate the hen in a mixture of rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and oil.
If you’re able to cook dinner the hen, you’ll want the next elements for the sauce:
- low sodium soy sauce
- darkish or black soy sauce (see word above)
- sugar
- Chinese language black vinegar or balsamic vinegar
- water
- cornstarch

What Peppers Are Utilized in Kung Pao Hen?
The dried crimson chiles used listed here are very small, about one inch in measurement. (Don’t mistake them for the dried Mexican crimson chiles used here.) My choice right here is dried Thai chili peppers and so they are typically very spicy.
I’ve additionally used these dried Szechuan Chinese red chili peppers. They’re considerably milder and the ensuing dish may have no noticeable warmth in any respect. It boils down to private choice right here.
Is Kung Pao Hen Spicy?
The spiciness of Kung Pao Hen is in your arms now. Whereas the peppers might be spicy at occasions, the recipe is definitely tailored for kind of warmth.
My household enjoys an excellent bit of warmth, so once I can discover them, Thai chili peppers are my first alternative. Each methods of creating this kung pao hen are scrumptious and we by no means have any leftovers.

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Servings: 6 servings
Stop your display from going darkish
Hen Marinade Directions
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Place the hen in a bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Toss to coat. Add the remaining marinade elements: rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and olive oil. Toss once more to coat. Place the hen within the fridge to relaxation for a minimum of half-hour.
Sauce Directions
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Whereas the hen is marinating, whisk collectively the sauce elements: tablespoons soy sauce, darkish soy sauce, sugar, balsamic vinegar, water, and cornstarch. Put aside subsequent to the range.
Stir Fry Directions
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Warmth 2 tablespoons oil in a big skillet or wok over medium-high warmth. Add the hen and cook dinner till frivolously browned and virtually cooked by means of, about 3 minutes. Stir often whereas the hen is cooking. Take away the hen to a bowl and add the remaining the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet.
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Add the ginger and garlic to the pan and stir to coat. Add the chilies and stir fry till they’re fragrant, about 2 minutes.
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Add the hen again to the skillet, together with the peanuts. Add the sauce and toss to coat. Stir till the hen is well-coated.
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Cook dinner for 1-2 minutes to barely scale back the sauce, including 1-2 tablespoons of water provided that wanted to assist scrape up the tasty browned bits from the underside of the pan. Add the inexperienced onions, stir to mix, and serve heat.
I’ve realized to double this recipe since I first began making it. (The recipe under is already doubled from the unique.) When you’ve made it previously and like a smaller recipe, use the slider within the recipe card to scale back the serving measurement to three.
Energy: 391kcal · Carbohydrates: 8g · Protein: 44g · Fats: 20g · Saturated Fats: 3g · Polyunsaturated Fats: 3g · Monounsaturated Fats: 11g · Trans Fats: 0.02g · Ldl cholesterol: 121mg · Sodium: 665mg · Potassium: 846mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 2g · Vitamin A: 117IU · Vitamin C: 5mg · Calcium: 32mg · Iron: 1mg
initially printed 12/19/12 – recipe notes and pictures up to date 5/1/23
recipe tailored from and with because of Rasa Malaysia (That is an superior web site stuffed with simple genuine Chinese language recipes. Test it out!)

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