I never order Kung Pao Chicken from a restaurant because it is way too spicy for me. I like to be able to control the heat so making it at home is a better option. I made this version with a moderate level of heat but feel free to adjust the quantity of red-pepper flakes to suit your taste. You don’t even have to add any at all, it’s totally up to you.
Quick-Asian stir fries are great weeknight and weekend meals as they are very easy to put together. Served over steamed rice it’s a great way to wrap up the evening.
As far as wine recommendation’s go, with a dish like this you want something to refresh you from the salty and spicy flavors. Aromatic whites would be my choice; an Albarino from Spain, Sauvignon Blanc from California or South Africa or a Pinot Gris from Oregon. Cold beer will also go nicely.
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In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1 Tablespoon of the soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon of the sherry and 1 Tablespoon of the cornstarch.
In a small bowl, combine the sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, water and the remaining 4 Tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon of sherry and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch.
Prepare scallions, white bulbs and green tops cut separately into 1/2″ pieces.
In a wok or large frying pan, heat 1 Tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat. Add the cashews and stirring until light brown, about 30 seconds. Remove from the pan. Heat the remaining 1 Tablespoon oil. Add the white part of the scallions and the red-pepper flakes to the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the chicken with it’s marinade and cook, stirring, until almost done, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce mixture and the scallion tops and simmer until the chicken is just done, about 1 minute longer. Stir in the cashews.
Serve over steamed rice.
Cashew Kung Pao Chicken
Adapted from Food & Wine
1-1/3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2″ pieces
5 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Tablespoons sherry
1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons sugar
2 Tablespoons white-wine vinegar or rice vinegar
2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil
1/3 cup water
2 Tablespoons cooking oil
3/4 cup cashews or peanuts
4 scallions, white bulbs and green tops cut separately into 1/2″ pieces
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1 Tablespoon of the soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon of the sherry and 1 Tablespoon of the cornstarch.
In a small bowl, combine the sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, water and the remaining 4 Tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon of sherry and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch.
Prepare scallions, white bulbs and green tops cut separately into 1/2″ pieces.
In a wok or large frying pan, heat 1 Tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat. Add the cashews and stirring until light brown, about 30 seconds. Remove from the pan. Heat the remaining 1 Tablespoon oil. Add the white part of the scallions and the red-pepper flakes to the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the chicken with its marinade and cook, stirring, until almost done, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce mixture and the scallion tops and simmer until the chicken is just done, about 1 minute longer. Stir in the cashews. Serve over steamed rice.
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Audrey at Barking Mad says
The minute I saw the “New post from Noble Pig” hit my inbox and saw the title, I started to salivate! Kung Pao chicken is one of my FAVORITE Asian dishes but I’ve always been too afraid to try preparing it myself. However, you’ve made it look pretty easy and I’m going to try it! Probably Monday night, as tomorrow night is slow-cooker Sunday with Swiss Steak…
I can NOT wait to fix this!
deeba says
Just too darned delicious Cathy. My hubs fave chicken dish from Chinese cuisine. The use of cashews just right. He doesn’t like the version with peanuts!Droolworthy!!
Leslie says
I can never order Chinese out because of all the MSG..But I love making it at home. Love this dish
dawn says
This is so easy, there are no good Chinese places around us and this would satify that urge I get! Thanks!
stinkypaw says
Might just do that for tomorrow night dinner, thanks!
Lydia says
I never order Kung Pao Chicken at a restaurant because it’s never spicy enough! I do love to make it at home, though our version is decidedly fiery.
Steph says
That looks so good, especially with the cashews!
Angela says
Yum, looks delicious and easy. I wonder if I could substitute Madeira or Marsala for the sherry or would that be a bad idea? I have both of those on hand but no sherry.
theUngourmet says
I love Kung Pao but I’m with you, it’s really spicy!
Good idea making your own! Gorgeous photos!
gfe--gluten free easily says
These photos make me extremely hungry. They are amazing. Great point about controlling the heat if you make this dish at home.
Shirley
chriesi says
That’s my favourite! Looks totally yummy!
Egghead says
OK you now have my stomach growling and it’s only 5:30 am. Looks really good.
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
I stopped by Uwajimaya yesterday and stocked up my Asian food pantry so am ready to cook. Have you found this Beaverton store yet? Amazing. Love this dish!
June says
Love Kung Pao and this looks amazing. You’re definitely taking care of that “now what am I gonna’ make” quandry.
RobinSue says
Your Kung Pao looks perfectly juicy! I do love to order it out but I never know what I am going to get- sometimes not hot enough and sometimes I can’t breathe!!
Lena in VT says
I love Kung Pao but never attempted it at home, I never thought it was so easy!
unconfidentialcook says
Having come from NYC, I have been complaining about the Chinese food situation in LA since I got here. Why not make it at home indeed? I never did because I never knew how easy it could be. This looks great!!!
grace says
not only is “kung pao” extremely fun to say, but it’s also one of the few chinese dishes i enjoy. for me, the spicier the better, and i do love the crunch of the cashews! lovely shots, cathy!
Mary says
I have been thinking about a meal to fix, one similar to this one, but couldn’t seem to come up with a good recipe. I am going to have to try this!
noble pig says
I think that would be fine.
Melynda says
Yum, now I can make this at home. I’m with you, I also need to control how much heat is good on my tongue.
Alisa says
My husband will love you very much.
Marlene says
Love me some Kung Pao Chicken as well as General Tsao Chicken and Burbon Chicken…and Honey Chicken…and well, I just love chicken. I will be needing your love and friendship and maybe a lot of this Kung Pao Chicken in the next 7.5 months.
Lisa Sipple says
Love this recipe, I needed some chicken in my diet and this is going to fit in quite nicely.
Biz says
Kung Pao Chicken is always my go to because its so spicy. Now I can make it at home! Thanks! 😀
lisaiscooking says
Kung Pao chicken is my favorite thing to order for take-out, but I love the idea of making my own at home. Sounds great with cashews too.
Cassie says
Kung Pao Chicken is my absolute favorite chinese dish! I will be making this! YUM!
Marjie says
…and, of course, the hooligans loved it. After all, what’s more fun to a little boy then bellowing “Kung Pow!”?
I made something similar a while back, but, because I feed so many very large men, I did mine in the broiler, where I can fit a much larger pan directly under the heat. Just suggesting, in case you have any other readers loony enough to routinely feed nearly a dozen people.
Cucinista says
Wow, this is the recipe I’ve been looking for. Screw the Lucky Wok down the street — take outs come home!
Catherine says
Yummmm! This looks amazing. I will for sure be trying it sometime soon.
Laura says
Cathy,
I don’t know what’s happened to my taste buds, but as I’ve aged, I’ve turned into a spice wimp.
This used to be one of my favorite Chinese food dishes but I had to stop ordering it because I couldn’t handle it.
YAY!! You fixed the problem.
I psyched to try this.
deeba says
Just made it for lunch Cathy…slam dunk delicious! Added some brocolli & red bell peppers too..’twas YUM!! Thank you for posting this!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says
Great version of Kung pao chicken, my family would love the cashews in this dish!
Flea says
Oh thank you. I’m always looking for good Asian recipes. This looks yummy!
pigpigscorner says
This is one of my favourites! Love the cashew nuts!
Mom24 says
Made this tonight for dinner–it was fabulous. We made the peanut version, not a speck was left. Thanks for such a delicious, easy, fast, delicious dinner!
I, too, do not usually have sherry on hand. I substituted Mirin and it seemed to work just fine.
nancy says
one word delicious
Blanche says
I made this tonight – it was delicious! Not spicy at all, I ended up adding a lot more pepper 🙂
Maggie says
I was really excited to make this but unfortunately it completely lacked flavor and really was bland. I even added extra red pepper flakes. I would suggest adding peppers or pea pods for flavor cause it definitely needs some layers of flavors. The sauce is not enough! I would also add hoisin to the sauce.
Cathy says
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it, we love just the way it is but everyone’s tastes are different. It sounds like you were looking for heat, which I think is often better left to everyone’s individual tastes unless the dish is labeled spicy. Thanks for your feedback.
Kim Porter says
Made this for dinner tonight and tossed in some diced zucchini and red onion. My husband says it’s the best cashew chicken he’s ever tasted. Thanks for yet another awesome recipe! Can’t wait to get down to your tasting room to find a good pairing!
Cathy says
Our Pinot Blanc or Pinot Gris would be perfect with this!!
M Penn says
About how many servings does this recipe make?