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Kung Pao Chicken Meatballs

I gave one of my favorite take-out dishes a delicious meatball makeover. These Kung Pao Chicken Meatballs are so tasty and so easy to make. They're the perfect weeknight meal!
Servings 4 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Meatballs:

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 garlic cloves grated
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 medium scallions thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil such as canola or vegetable

Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil such as canola or vegetable
  • 2 medium scallions thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns or more to taste
  • 10 to 12 dried small red chiles Tien Tsin or chile de árbol
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 4 teaspoons soy sauce or more to taste
  • 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 2 teaspoons potato starch or corn starch
  • 2 tablespoons crushed roasted peanuts
  • Cooked white rice for serving

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Sriracha, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and scallions just until evenly combined. Form and roll into twelve meatballs, placing them on a baking sheet or plate.
  • Set a large skillet over moderate heat with 1 tablespoon oil. Once hot, place the meatballs into the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook until browned on all sides and cooked through in the center, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer the meatballs onto a plate and set aside.
  • Return skillet to heat over high and add 1 tablespoon oil. Add the scallion, ginger, peppercorns, chiles and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, dark soy sauce, wine, and potato starch. Cook, stirring constantly until fragrant and just starting to thicken, about 1 minute. Return the meatballs to the skillet and add in the peanuts. Toss to combine and cook over low until the meatballs have warmed through. Remove from heat and serve immediately with cooked white rice and a garnish of sliced scallion. Enjoy!

Notes

Author: The Candid Appetite
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese