Chinese Kung Pao Chicken with Crispy Rice Cakes & Charred Bok Choy
Prep 20 min · Cook 25 min · Serves 4 · medium

Authentic Sichuan-style kung pao chicken featuring tender diced chicken wok-seared with roasted peanuts, dried chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns for a numbing heat, served over crispy pan-fried rice cakes and charred baby bok choy for textural contrast.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 0.75 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, preferably raw then toasted
- 8 whole dried red chilies, seeds removed, halved
- 1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1.5 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 5 whole garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil, for wok cooking
- 8 oz cooked rice cakes, store-bought, sliced 1/2-inch thick
- 1.25 lbs baby bok choy, halved lengthwise
- 3 whole green onions, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil in a small bowl; set aside.
- 2
Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until smoking. Working in batches, sear chicken cubes until golden on all sides (3-4 min per batch). Transfer to a plate.


