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Easy Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken

Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken
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An easy slow cooker version of the classic Kung Pao chicken, featuring tender chicken pieces in a sweet and spicy sauce with vegetables and peanuts, served over rice.

Ingredients

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  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for coating chicken)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 6–10 dried red chili peppers, split and seeds removed (adjust to desired spice level)
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/3 cup unsalted peanuts
  • Green onions, chopped, for garnish
  • Cooked rice, for serving
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons cold water (for thickening slurry)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until lightly coated.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until lightly golden on all sides, then transfer it to your slow cooker.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger until smooth. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker. Add the dried red chili peppers.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, prepare a slurry by whisking together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this into the slow cooker with the chopped red bell pepper, zucchini, and peanuts.
  6. Continue cooking for another 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
  7. Serve the Kung Pao chicken hot over steamed rice, garnished with fresh chopped green onions.

Notes

    Find it online: https://www.masterthecook.com/easy-slow-cooker-kung-pao-chicken/