Hereโs a classic, beginner-friendly Chinese dish you can make at home:
๐ Kung Pao Chicken (ๅฎซไฟ้ธกไธ)
A famous dish from Sichuan cuisine, known for its savory, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy flavor with crunchy peanuts.
๐ Ingredients (Serves 2โ3)
For the chicken:
- 400g boneless chicken breast or thighs (diced)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp Shaoxing wine (optional)
For the sauce:
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (optional for color)
- 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2โ3 tbsp water
- 1 tsp cornstarch
For stir-fry:
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2โ3 dried red chilies (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns (optional but authentic)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp ginger (minced)
- 3โ4 green onions (cut into pieces)
- ยฝ cup roasted peanuts
๐ฉโ๐ณ Instructions
- Marinate the chicken
Mix chicken with soy sauce, cornstarch, and Shaoxing wine. Let sit 10โ15 minutes. - Prepare the sauce
Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well. - Stir-fry aromatics
Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir briefly until fragrant (donโt burn them). - Cook chicken
Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked through (about 4โ5 minutes). - Add flavor base
Add garlic, ginger, and green onions. Stir for 30 seconds. - Add sauce
Pour in sauce and cook until it thickens. - Finish
Stir in roasted peanuts. Mix well and serve immediately.
๐ Serve With:
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Simple cucumber salad
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- A vegetarian Chinese recipe ๐ฅฆ
- A noodle dish ๐
- A traditional soup recipe ๐ฒ
- An authentic dim sum recipe ๐ฅ