Kung Pao Chicken

Ingredients:

- 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
- 6-8 dried red chili peppers, seeds removed and chopped
- 3-4 green onions, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice wine or sherry, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Let it marinate for about 15-20 minutes.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the sauce: 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and the cornstarch-water mixture. Set aside.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry until they are cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil if needed. Add the minced garlic, ginger, chopped dried red chili peppers, and peanuts. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

5. Add the diced bell pepper and chopped green onions to the skillet. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.

6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Give the sauce a quick stir and pour it over the chicken and vegetables. Stir everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened and coats the chicken and vegetables evenly.

7. Serve the Kung Pao Chicken hot with steamed rice and garnish with additional chopped green onions and peanuts if desired.

Enjoy your homemade Kung Pao Chicken! Adjust the amount of chili peppers according to your spice preference.