{"id":"recipe_fe517f43f8","slug":"kung-pao-chicken","title":"Kung Pao Chicken","description":"A world-renowned Szechuan stir-fry dish featuring tender chicken cubes, crunchy roasted peanuts, and a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g chicken breast, diced into 1-inch cubes","name":"Chicken Breast","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"diced","notes":"breast or thigh","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"50g roasted peanuts","name":"Peanuts","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"roasted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"10 dried red chili peppers","name":"Red Chili","quantity":10,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":10,"usUnit":"piece","form":"dried","notes":"seeds removed if less heat is desired","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 garlic cloves, sliced","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"sliced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"15g ginger, minced","name":"Ginger","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"minced","notes":"fresh","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 green onions, cut into white and green parts","name":"Green onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"cut","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns","name":"Szechuan Peppercorns","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 tablespoons light soy sauce","name":"Soy Sauce","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"light","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tablespoon Chinkiang black vinegar","name":"Black Vinegar","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"black vinegar or rice vinegar","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 tablespoon granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":12,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"white","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"2 teaspoons cornstarch","name":"Cornstarch","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"split between marinade and sauce","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"2 tablespoons vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"high smoke point","group":"Cooking","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a medium bowl, combine the diced chicken with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the diced chicken","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Prepare the Kung Pao sauce by whisking together the remaining soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in a small bowl.","group":"Preparation","title":"Prepare the Kung Pao sauce","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until the exterior turns white and is nearly cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat oil in a wok or large skillet","timerMinutes":4,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"In the same wok, add the dried chilies and Szechuan peppercorns. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant and darkened, being careful not to burn them. Add the garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the dried chilies and Szechuan peppercorns","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Return the chicken to the wok. Give the sauce a quick stir and pour it over the chicken. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened and coated everything evenly.","group":"Cooking","title":"Return the chicken","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Fold in the roasted peanuts and the green parts of the scallions. Toss for another 30 seconds and serve immediately.","group":"Finishing","title":"Fold in the roasted peanuts and the green parts of the scallions","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"For the most authentic flavor, use Szechuan peppercorns to provide the signature 'mala' numbing sensation. Adjust the number of dried chilies based on your heat tolerance.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Szechuan","Chinese"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["stirFry"],"equipment":["wok","spatula","mixing bowl"],"diet":["high_protein","low_carb"],"allergens":["peanuts","soy","wheat"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":"Standard restaurant-sized portion"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can dice the chicken and prep the sauce ahead of time, but the stir-fry itself should be done just before serving to keep the peanuts crunchy."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container. The peanuts will lose their crunch upon reheating.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in a wok over medium heat to maintain texture."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fe517f43f8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=78d76285-f7b4-4b24-a777-e9dc009dc453","imageAlt":"Kung Pao Chicken — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["spicy","szechuan","stir-fry","chicken","high-protein","peanuts"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Kung Pao Chicken","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:13:38.242Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:13:38.242Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_5bd7d18ba8","slug":"cantonese-steamed-rice-noodle-rolls-cheung-fun","title":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)","description":"A silky, smooth, and translucent Cantonese dim sum classic. These rice noodle rolls are steamed to perfection and typically filled with succulent shrimp or savory pork, then finished with a sweetened soy sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Cantonese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_5bd7d18ba8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95ae143d-b901-4366-9657-7aa0c5bdad41","imageAlt":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) — recipe cover","tags":["dim sum","cantonese","rice noodles","steamed","shrimp","chinese breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_8c98f14ca2","slug":"classic-fried-rice-chaofan","title":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)","description":"A quick, savory, and satisfying East Asian staple featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with eggs, crisp vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8c98f14ca2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a9bd1aca-9eb5-41e5-8730-eac0148bdba5","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) — recipe cover","tags":["fried-rice","quick","easy","leftover-rice","chinese-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_7d0223495d","slug":"classic-japanese-udon-soup","title":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup","description":"A comforting, traditional East Asian noodle soup featuring thick, chewy udon noodles in a delicate, savory dashi broth.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7d0223495d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b95b3407-aaaf-4a90-8153-c9dccf8a4049","imageAlt":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup — recipe cover","tags":["udon","noodles","soup","quick","comfort food","japanese"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}