California Pizza Kitchen Kung Pao Spaghetti
California Pizza Kitchen is a popular American restaurant chain that is known for its unique and innovative approach to pizza. However, the restaurant also offers a variety of other dishes that are just as delicious and creatively executed, including their Kung Pao Spaghetti.
The Origins of Kung Pao Spaghetti
Kung Pao Spaghetti is a fusion dish that combines the flavors of traditional Chinese Kung Pao Chicken with Italian spaghetti. The dish originated in California, where the fusion of different cuisines is quite common. The dish was first introduced by California Pizza Kitchen in the 1990s and has since become one of their most popular menu items.
What Makes Kung Pao Spaghetti Special?
Kung Pao Spaghetti is a unique dish that combines the spicy and savory flavors of Kung Pao Chicken with the soft and chewy texture of spaghetti. The dish is made with thin spaghetti noodles that are tossed in a spicy soy sauce and peanut sauce. The noodles are then topped with sautéed chicken, red and green bell peppers, and garnished with chopped peanuts and green onions.
What sets this dish apart is the use of Sichuan peppercorns in the sauce, which provides a unique and numbing sensation in the mouth. The dish is also quite spicy, thanks to the use of chili peppers in the sauce. However, the heat is balanced out by the sweetness of the peanut sauce and the crunchiness of the peanuts.
How to Make Kung Pao Spaghetti at Home
If you're a fan of California Pizza Kitchen's Kung Pao Spaghetti, you might be wondering how you can make it at home. Luckily, the recipe is quite simple and can be easily replicated in your own kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tbsp. peanut butter
- 1 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tbsp. Sichuan peppercorns
- 1 tbsp. dried chili flakes
Instructions:
- Cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, peanut butter, cornstarch, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili flakes. Set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the bell peppers to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until slightly softened.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and bell peppers and stir to coat. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the chicken and bell peppers are fully coated.
- Divide the spaghetti noodles between four bowls. Top each bowl with the chicken and bell pepper mixture.
- Garnish with chopped peanuts and green onions.
Conclusion
California Pizza Kitchen's Kung Pao Spaghetti is a delicious fusion of flavors that combines the spicy and savory flavors of Kung Pao Chicken with Italian spaghetti. The dish is quite simple to make at home and is perfect for those who love spicy and flavorful dishes. Whether you're trying to recreate the dish at home or trying it for the first time at the restaurant, Kung Pao Spaghetti is a must-try for anyone who loves bold and inventive flavors.
