Kung Pao Chicken, Shrimp or Beef (Panda Express - Style)

Sharon Anne's Note:

After searching for Kung Pao Chicken recipes and making some modifications, we LOVE this version of this wonderful meal, served with a side of freshly steamed green beans and seasonal fresh fruit. Inspired by several recipes, but mostly by an article www.culinary.net

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 lb chicken breast, 1/2-inch cubes (substitute shrimp or beef, thinly sliced)
• 1 small egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 green onions (white part sliced and greens cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
• 1 red pepper, chunked
• 1 green pepper, chunked
• 1 small zucchini, chunked
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (dissolved in 1 Tbsp cold water)
• 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• granulated sugar, sprinkled in (to your taste)
• 1/3 cup peanuts, dry-roasted
• 4 cups cooked white rice (Botan, sticky rice)

Directions:

1. Combine meat in a zip-type bag with egg, water, cornstarch and salt; marinate chilled, for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prep and chill veggies.
3. Combine water and soy sauce, stir in dissolved cornstarch and rice wine, chill to reserve.
4. About 20 minutes before serving time (be sure to get rice started) heat about 1-Tbsp of oil in hot wok. Stir meat, drain and discard marinade. Quickly stir-fry the meat in oil, for 60-90 seconds. Transfer to a large container. Stir meat, drain and discard marinade.
5. Stir-fry the red and yellow peppers until almost tender; add green onions and zucchini, reserve with meat.
6. Heat the remaining oil and stir-fry garlic, season with pepper flakes and ginger.
7. Stir the reserved sauce mixture before pouring into seasoned garlic. Heat through to thicken. Sweeten to taste with sugar, adding a bit more ginger and/or red pepper flakes, as needed.
8. Add cooked food to sauce and stir in peanuts.
9. Serve over hot rice.

Reviews

[Sniffany]

This was a yummy recipe for Kung Pao chicken. I ended up adding some minced garlic to the marinade to give it a little extra flavor and added some in with the ginger and red pepper flakes. I also doubled the sauce since i like to eat it over rice. The overall flavor was a little mild for my liking (I really like foods with a lot of heat) so quadrupled the red pepper flakes and also added in some Siraccha red spice sauce. I will definitely cook this again!

[Papa D 1946-2012]

This is a good Kung Pao recipe. I used shrimp and reduce the amount of chunked peppers by half, also only used 2 tbs of lite soy sauce and omitted red pepper flakes. I liked the addition of the zucchini. *Made for Fall 2008 My 3 Chefs* Thanks!