Pro Tips
**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Pat the chicken skin dry with paper towels before cooking for maximum crispiness.
- Baste chicken with butter or oil halfway through roasting to prevent the breast from drying out.
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for stews — they stay juicier and add more flavor to the broth.
- Toss chicken wings in cornstarch before baking for an extra-crispy skin without deep frying.
Cooking Tips
For maximum flavor, season the chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking — ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate beyond the surface. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone. Have all your ingredients prepped and measured before you start cooking — quick dishes leave no time for chopping mid-recipe.
Ingredient Substitutions
No soy sauce? Use tamari (gluten-free), coconut aminos (paleo-friendly), or a mix of fish sauce and water for a different but delicious umami profile. For a low-sodium version, use light soy sauce or dilute regular soy sauce with a splash of water or broth. Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises. Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.
Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken — a Filipino chicken dish with local spices and herbs. A comforting meal passed down through generations.
Instructions
- Combine chicken, 1 tablespoon soy sauce,1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
- Combine all the kung pao sauce ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
- Start to stir fry by heating 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a wok. Add the dried chilies. Stir fry for 5 seconds.
- Add the marinated chicken. Stir fry for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic, white part of the green onion, and ginger. Continue to stir fry for 20 seconds before adding the bell pepper, zucchini, and peanuts, and remaining green onions. Stir fry for 45 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour the sauce into the wok. Stir fry until the chicken is coated evenly. Note: you can add around 1 to 3 tablespoons of water (as needed) while stir frying to prevent the sauce from clumping.
- Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with rice.
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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Pat the chicken skin dry with paper towels before cooking for maximum crispiness.
- Baste chicken with butter or oil halfway through roasting to prevent the breast from drying out.
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for stews — they stay juicier and add more flavor to the broth.
- Toss chicken wings in cornstarch before baking for an extra-crispy skin without deep frying.
Cooking Tips
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone.
Have all your ingredients prepped and measured before you start cooking — quick dishes leave no time for chopping mid-recipe.
Substitutions
For a low-sodium version, use light soy sauce or dilute regular soy sauce with a splash of water or broth.
Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises.
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.
Storage & Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
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