Chongqing Chicken

This is similar to Kung Pao Chicken, especially if you add the optional peanuts. You can control the spiciness of this dish by the number of chile peppers you add. I like it spicy so I add extra chile peppers.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 914 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon cooking sherry
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, or to taste
• 3 tablespoons oil, divided
• 1 pound boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon garlic chile paste
• ½ cup dried red chile peppers
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
• 2 scallions, sliced, white and green parts separated
• ½ cup dry roasted peanuts (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix cooking sherry, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt and pepper for the marinade in a bowl. Add chicken pieces and set aside to marinate.

Step 2

Combine chicken stock, chile paste, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch for the sauce in a bowl. Stir until well combined, add sesame seeds, and set aside.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chile peppers and cook until they turn dark red, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 4

Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and fry chicken pieces until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add cracked pepper, ginger, garlic, salt, white parts of scallions, and peanuts. Fry an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Add reserved chiles and sauce. Cook and stir until mixture has thickened or desired consistency is reached, about 5 minutes. Garnish with additional sesame seeds and green parts of scallions.