Kung Pao Chicken

shared by Jennifer

Details:

    PT40M
  • Prep Time: 40 Minutes
  • PT10M
  • Cook Time: 10 Minutes
  • PT50M
  • Total Time: 50 Minutes
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Serves: 4 people
  • Cuisine: American
  • Prepare rice according to package directions.Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine 1 tbsp soy sauce and ahi miring or Japanese rice wine. Stir in chicken an

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup long-grain brown rice
  • 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, divided
  • 1 tsp aji mirin (Japanese rice wine)
  • 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch dice
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup Chinese black vinegar or balsamic vinegar
  • 4 1/4 tsp arrowroot
  • 1 tsp organic evaporated cane juice (or honey)
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp peanut, safflower or sunflower oil
  • 6 to 10 small dried red chiles (preferably Szechuan chiles), halved crosswise and seeded
  • 2 tsp whole Szechuan peppercorns
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cut into
  • 3/4-inch dice
  • 6 scallions, white and light green parts only, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp roasted unsalted peanuts

Directions:

  1. Prepare rice according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine 1 tbsp soy sauce and ahi miring or Japanese rice wine. Stir in chicken and set aside at room temperature.
  3. In a small bowl, combine broth, vinegar, 2 tbsp water, arrowroot, cane juice, sesame oil and remaining 2 tbsp soy sauce. Set aside.
  4. When rice is about 10 minutes from being done, heat peanut oil in a large wok or skillet on high. Add chiles and peppercorns and cook, stirring almost constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chicken mixture, spreading chicken in a single layer in wok, and cook undisturbed for 1 minute. Then stir chicken constantly for 1 minute.
  5. Add bell pepper, scallions, garlic and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until bell pepper begins to soften, about 1 minute. Add broth-vinegar mixture and stir until sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Stir in peanuts. Serve chicken mixture over rice, dividing evenly.