Chicken dinner ideas

Kung Pao Chicken recipe

Kung Pao Chicken (also known as Kung Pow Chicken) has been named as one of the most popular Chinese dishes in America!  One can see why as its alluring spice and sweet combination has turned out to be highly addictive to many a diner!  Therefore we thought it was appropriate to let you know how to make this recipe!

 

List of Ingredients:

Marinade

1 tablespoon soy sauce2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubesSauce1/2 teaspoon ground Sichuan pepper2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil8 to 10 dried red chilies3 scallions, white and green parts separated, thinly sliced2 garlic cloves, minced1 teaspoon minced or grated fresh ginger1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar1 teaspoon soy sauce1 teaspoon hoisin sauce1 teaspoon sesame oil2 teaspoons sugar1 teaspoon cornstarch1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanutsHow to prepare:

1. Marinate the chicken: In a medium sized bowl, stir together the soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved. Add the chicken and stir gently. Let it stand at room temperature for 11 minutes.

2. Prepare the sauce: In another bowl, combine the sesame oil, sugar, cornstarch, black vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and Sichuan pepper. Stir until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved and then put it aside.

3. You may need to turn on your hob's exhaust fan, because stir-frying dried chilies on high heat can get smoky. Heat a wok or large pan over high heat until a drop of water sizzles and evaporates on contact. Add the peanut oil and twirl it to coat the pan's base. Add the chilies and stir-fry for about 30 seconds, or until the chilies have just begun to blacken and the oil is slightly fragrant. Add the chicken and stir-fry until no longer pink, usually for 2 to 3 minutes.

4. Add the scallion whites, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Pour in the sauce and mix to coat the other ingredients. Stir in the peanuts and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle the scallion greens on top, and serve.

Chinese Food Recipes

How to make Sweet and Sour Chicken

One of the most known dishes from Chinese restaurants is Sweet and Sour Chicken! After much research we have obtained this healthier recipe for you to try!

You will need the following ingredients:

• 
  
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 medium onion, cut into 12 wedges
• 2 peppers, red, green, orange or yellow, deseeded and cut into chunks of about 3cm/1¼in
• 1 x 225g/8oz can water chestnuts
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 25g/1oz piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely grated
• freshly ground black pepper
  
  1 x 425g/15oz can pineapple chunks in natural juice 
  
  
  
  2 tbsp cornflour
  • 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp soft light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • ½ tsp dried chilli flakes
    

1. To make sweet and sour sauce, drain a pineapple in a sieve over a bowl and keep all the juice – you should have about 150ml/5fl oz. Put cornflour in a big bowl and stir in three tablespoons of the pineapple juice and make a smooth paste. Add any remaining juice and 150ml/5fl oz of water, then stir in soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ketchup and chilli flakes until thoroughly mixed. This can now be set aside.
   
2. Cut each chicken breast into even diced pieces. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a big non-stick frying pan or wok and stir-fry the onion & peppers for two minutes on a high heat. Drain the water chestnuts and cut them in half horizontally.
3. Add the remaining oil and chicken to the pan and stir-fry for two minutes until it is coloured on all sides. Add the garlic, ginger, pineapple chunks and water chestnuts and stir-fry for a further 30–60 seconds.
4. Give the cornflour and pineapple mixture a stir and pour it in the pan with the chicken and vegetables. Stir well, then season with some ground black pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook for 4–6 minutes until the sauce is thickened and glossy and the chicken is tender and cooked throughout, turning the chicken and vegetables a few times. Serve with a small portion of rice.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   ENJOY!

   
   

   Let us know in the comment section what other dishes you would like recipes for!

Chinese Food Info

Chinese food is one of the most popular types of cuisine in the world. What is your favourite dish? Sweet and sour chicken, Hoisin Duck, Kung Pow Chicken or Dim Sung?


Here we detail the most popular and lesser known dishes from China. From recipes to restaurant recommendations, the history of their creation and their cultural significance. Each region of China have their own style of cuisine, some of which are well known in other parts of the world, some of which are not as yet.

The act of eating Chinese food is also different from that of other cultures i.e. eating with chopsticks,  and this is what many people around the world enjoy about the experience of eating Chinese food, coupled with the many alluring, unique aromas of the food, along with its distinctive, exotic tastes.

The unique ambience of a Chinese restaurant also plays a massive part in many people's experience with Chinese food. Classical Chinese music and traditional decor all contribute. Lighting is important, bringing out the vibrancy of the food, with its vivid palette of colours.

Chinese food is popular for a reason, here we detail why!