Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

• servings: 4 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (, diced into 1/2-inch pieces)

1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 large egg

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon cooking wine (, white wine works)

2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/3 cup water

2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil (, divided)

12 chili peppers (, smaller than 3 inches; if longer, cut in half)

1/4 cup green onion (, diced, white part only, in 1/2-inch pieces)

1 teaspoon ground ginger (, dried, or use a full tablespoon fresh ginger)

1 teaspoon ground garlic (, dried, or use a full tablespoon of fresh garlic)

1 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper

1/2 tablespoon cornstarch (, make it a slurry mixed with 1/2 tablespoon water)

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 ounces dry roasted peanuts

1 red bell pepper (, cut into 3/4 inch cubes)

1 large zucchini (, cut into 3/4 inch cubes)

Directions

Combine the chicken, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 egg, 1/4 cup cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

In a small bowl add the wine, soy sauce and water and set aside.

Heat wok/skillet on high heat 60 seconds, you want that pan to be nice and hot!

Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.

Remove chicken from marinade and add to wok, cooking on high heat for 60 seconds.

Remove the chicken from the pan, add another 1/2 tablespoon of oil and the red bell pepper and zucchini.

Cook on high and cook for 1-2 minutes, until just caramelized and slightly cooked.

Remove vegetables and add the chili peppers.

Stir until they darken a bit, then add the green onions, peanuts, ginger, garlic, crushed red pepper, and sesame oil.

Stir throughouly and immediately add the wine/soy/water mixture.

Bring it to a boil, then add the cornstarch and water mix and stir until it has thickened.

Add the chicken and vegetables back in, stir to combine.

Nutrition

• Calories: 436 kcal
• Total Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 93 mg
• Sodium: 1173 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Total Sugars: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g