Chinese Take-Out Kung Pao Chicken

• egg white, beaten1 1
• soy sauce↗4 tablespoons

  1 tbsp in first mixture, 3 tbsp in second

• cornstarch↗1 tablespoon
• rice wine↗1 teaspoon

  1 tsp in first mixture, 1 tsp in second

• rice wine↗2 tablespoons

  2 tbsp in second mixture

• boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces↗4 lbs
• rice vinegar↗3 tablespoons
• sugar↗2 tablespoons
• hoisin sauce2 tablespoons
• sesame oil↗2 teaspoons

  2 tsp

• peanut oil or 1/3 cup vegetable oil1⁄3 cup
• peanuts, preferably boiled and unsalted↗1 cup
• dried hot red chiles (to taste)↗5
• garlic cloves, minced↗2 tablespoons
• green onions, sliced↗4 tablespoons
• slices fresh ginger, quarter-sized pieces, peeled and minced↗3
• white rice, for serving↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Combine the egg white, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon rice wine in a large bowl. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

2. 2

   In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons rice wine with the rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin, and sesame oil and set aside.

3. 3

   Heat the oil in a wok over high heat until it's hot and barely smoking. Add the peanuts and toss them for about 2 minutes, or until they begin to brown. Remove the peanuts from the oil and transfer them to a heatproof plate. Set aside.

4. 4

   Add the chicken to the oil and toss, cooking until it is slightly browned on the outside, but not cooked all the way through, about 2 minutes. Remove the chicken from the wok and add it to the peanuts. (There will be some brown bits on the bottom of the wok. They will help thicken the sauce when it is added to the pan later. Be careful and don't let them burn, or your sauce will taste sharp.).

5. 5

   Add the chiles to the wok and cook them until they turn almost black, about 1 minute. Add the garlic, green onions, and ginger along with the peanuts, chicken, and sauce. Toss to incorporate the sauce and heat through. Serve with rice.

6. 6

   Variation: Sometimes we like to add vegetables to this dish to make it a one-dish meal. Try adding sliced water chestnuts and green or red bell peppers, brocolli, or bok choy along with the other vegetables in the dish. By swapping out the peanuts for cashews, the dish becomes cashew chicken. You can also vary the dish by using thinly sliced pork or beef, or whole shrimp.