Kung Wow Chicken

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

Chef John's kung wow chicken recipe is a highly simplified version of kung pao chicken for American palates. It's way more flavorful than a simple stir-fry.

Ingredients

3 medium green onions, finely chopped (white parts only)
1 tablespoon white wine
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon Asian chili paste (sambal), or more to taste
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons ketchup
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons peanut oil
2 cups cubed zucchini
1 cup cubed red bell pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped green onion tops
4 cups cooked white rice

Directions

1 Whisk 3 finely chopped green onion white parts, 1 tablespoon white wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon brown sugar together in a bowl. Add chicken pieces; toss to coat. Cover bowl; refrigerate for 1 hour.
2 Whisk rice wine vinegar, remaining 2 tablespoons white wine, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, garlic, white vinegar, remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, sambal chili paste, sesame oil, and ketchup together in a bowl; set aside.
3 Whisk water and cornstarch together in a separate small bowl; set aside.
4 Heat peanut oil in a heavy duty, nonstick skillet over high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until chicken begins to brown, about 2 minutes.
5 Stir in zucchini and bell pepper; cook 2 minutes. Add chicken broth; stir.
6 Stir in vinegar mixture; cook and stir until vegetables are tender and chicken is no longer pink in centers, about 2 minutes. Stir in cornstarch mixture until sauce is thickened, about 30 seconds; remove from heat.
7 Toss in peanuts; season with salt and black pepper. Stir in ¼ cup green onion tops. Serve over white rice.