This week, we're returning to the fictional land of New York City, where a sweating George Costanza proudly exclaims (in the third person) that he likes his chicken spicy. That chicken? Kung pao, a Chinese-American take on a traditional spicy Szechuan dish. I think. Either way, it's super-good, and warrants a couple practice runs!

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade Ingredients:

  • 12 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into ½” cubes

  • 1 egg white

  • 1 Tbsp water

  • 2 tsp sesame oil

  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce, preferably dark

  • 1 Tbsp Shaoxing vinegar (or rice vinegar)

  • 2 tsp cornstarch

  • ¼ tsp kosher salt

  • ¼ tsp white pepper

Kung Pao Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ Tbsp granulated sugar

  • 2 tsp cornstarch

  • ½ tsp kosher salt

  • 1 ½ Tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 Tbsp Shaoxing vinegar

  • 2 Tbsp Black vinegar

  • 1 tsp granulated chicken boullion powder

  • 1 Tbsp chili bean paste/sauce

Kung Pao Chicken Ingredients:

  • As needed peanut oil

  • ¾ Cup raw peanuts, shelled + skin removed

  • ½ Cup Sichuan peppercorns

  • Marinated Chicken

  • 8-10 Tien Tsin peppers, chile japones, or chiles de árbol, stem + seeds removed + roughly chopped

  • 6-8 green onions (whites only), cut into 1” segments

  • 1-inch knob fresh ginger, peeled + minced (not grated)

  • 4-5 garlic cloves, minced

  • Kung Pao Sauce

Method

Serves: 2-4

Chicken Marinade Method:

  1. Combine the chicken, egg white, and water in a medium bowl.

  2. Using a gloved hand, combine the ingredients and massage the chicken. The result should be a thickened paste which encompasses the chicken.

  3. Add the sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, cornstarch, and white pepper. Once again, stir and massage the chicken until well combined and thickened. 

  4. Allow the chicken to marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.

Kung Pao Sauce Method:

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt.

  2. In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, both vinegars, bouillon powder, water, chili bean paste (if using), and the cornstarch mixture. 

  3. Reserve until ready to use.

Kung Pao Chicken Method:

  1. Prepare your stove top with one large wok. Next to the wok, place a fine mesh sieve into a deep saute pan, this will be used to strain the oil/ingredients thoroughout the cooking process.

  2. Add about ½ cup of peanut oil to a cold wok, then heat over high heat while swirling the oil. Once the oil begins to smoke, remove the oil from the wok. This helps temper the wok before cooking.

  3. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add about 2 cups of new peanut oil to the wok. 

  4. Once the new oil has preheated, add the peanuts and cook for 30 seconds - 1 minute, or until they are completely crisp but not too dark. Make sure to stir the peanuts with a metal spoon or ladle to prevent them from burning.

  5. Once the peanuts are crispy, strain and reserve the peanuts. Add the oil back to the wok.

  6. Add the sichuan peppercorns. Toast them in the oil for 30 seconds, making sure they don’t burn. Strain and discard the peppercorns. Transfer the now seasoned oil back to the wok.

  7. Turn the heat to high, then add the chicken and cook for 30 seconds or until the chicken has turned completely opaque, but not cooked through. Strain the chicken out and add about ½ cup of the fry oil back to the wok.

  8. Then, add the dried peppers/chiles and green onions to the wok and cook for 30 seconds. If the mixture gets too dry, add another more preanut oil as needed to the wok.

  9. Add the ginger and garlic, cook for 30 seconds. Add the kung pao sauce, chicken, and peanuts back to the wok and stir to combine. Optionally, add more soy sauce or bean paste to deepen the color and flavor. Cook the stir fry for an additional 30 seconds to combine the flavors.

  10. Serve immediately.