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Kung Pao Fusion Poutine with crispy french fries, spicy chicken and melted cheese on a wooden board with red chili peppers and chopsticks.

Celebrate Canada Day with a Twist: Kung Pao Fusion Poutine Recipe

Maeve Zhang
Celebrate Canada Day with a unique twist on a beloved classic: Kung Pao Fusion Poutine. This recipe brings together the bold and spicy flavors of Kung Pao chicken with the iconic Canadian poutine, resulting in a red and white delight that will impress your taste buds.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4

Equipment

  • cutting board
  • Knife
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large skillet or wok
  • Slotted spatula
  • Paper towels

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs Russet potatoes
  • 1/2 cup Canola oil
  • 1 lb Chicken breast
  • 1/4 cup Cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp Soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 1 tbsp Ginger
  • 3 stalks Green onions
  • 1/4 cup Peanuts
  • 2 Red chili peppers
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch slurry

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) while you prepare the poutine ingredients.
  • Cut the potatoes - Peel and cut the potatoes into 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick fries. Rinse the fries in cold water to remove excess starch, then pat them dry with paper towels. - For best results, try to cut the potatoes evenly so that they cook at the same rate. You can use a mandoline or a french fry cutter if you have one.
  • Cook the fries - In a large bowl, toss the fries with canola oil until they are coated evenly. Spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. - Rotate the pan halfway through cooking to ensure the fries cook evenly. If you prefer, you can also deep fry the fries in a pot of oil for a more authentic poutine texture.
  • Cut the chicken - Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cornstarch, and toss to coat evenly. - Cutting the chicken into similar-sized pieces will help them cook evenly. You can also use chicken thighs or pork as a substitute.
  • Make the Kung Pao sauce - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and cornstarch slurry. - Make sure to whisk the cornstarch and water together until it is smooth before adding it to the rest of the ingredients, as lumps will form in the sauce.
  • Cook the chicken - Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add canola oil, garlic, ginger, and red chili peppers, and stir-fry for 10-15 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the chicken pieces and stir-fry for 6-8 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. - Stir-fry the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan, which will result in steamed chicken instead of crispy chicken.
  • Add the sauce and peanuts - Add the Kung Pao sauce to the chicken and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly. Add the peanuts and green onions, and stir-fry for another minute. - Make sure to stir-fry the peanuts and green onions quickly to avoid burning them. If you prefer a milder dish, you can reduce the amount of red chili peppers or omit them altogether.
  • Assemble the poutine - To assemble the poutine, place a layer of fries on a plate, and top with the Kung Pao chicken and gravy. Serve immediately. - You can add cheese curds to the poutine for a more traditional Canadian touch, or use shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese instead.