Kong Bao Ji Ding (Diced Chicken and Peanuts Sauteed with Dried Chiles)

4.5

4.5

Credit: Helen RosnerSERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp. cornstarch
4 tbsp. soy sauce
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
3 tbsp. shaoxing (Chinese rice wine)
2 tbsp. sugar
3 tbsp. chicken stock
4 tsp. chiangang (Chinese black vinegar) or balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp. Asian sesame oil
2 tsp. Chinese dark soy sauce
3 tbsp. peanut oil
12 dried hot red chiles, stemmed, halved crosswise, and seeded
5 scallions, white part only, thickly sliced crosswise
1 large clove garlic, peeled, ends trimmed off, and thinly sliced
½" piece ginger, peeled and minced
½ cup shelled raw skinless peanuts

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix together cornstarch and 1 tbsp. of the soy sauce in a medium bowl, add chicken, toss well, and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, mix together the remaining 3 tbsp. soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, stock, vinegar, sesame oil, and dark soy sauce. Set aside.

2. Heat peanut oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat until just beginning to smoke. Add chiles, half the scallions, garlic, ginger, and chicken and stir-fry until chicken is golden, 3-5 minutes. Add soy sauce mixture and stir-fry until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Stir in peanuts. Garnish with remaining scallions.

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