Ben and I were victims of a take-out thief this weekend! As I mentioned, we like to eat out or order in on Friday or Saturday nights, and this weekend was no different. After devouring leftovers for dinner on Friday evening, we were both looking forward to a yummy treat on Saturday night – take out from our favorite Asian place in town!
I called in the order – Veggie Fried Rice for her, Kung Pao Chicken for him, and 2 sushi rolls to split. Ben was out the door 5 minutes later, leaving just enough time to stop at Kum and Go for Sobe Life Waters before arriving at the restaurant to catch the hostess reading out our order and the total, then handing a big bag of food over…to another customer.
Ah, it’s cool. He said to himself. Obviously she has the wrong person, but this woman will correct her.Â
The woman shifted from side to side, looked around, then dug into her purse for more money to add to the $10 bill she already had in her hand. YEP! She said to the hostess. That’s mine! Then quickly paid and left.
At this point Ben’s praying this woman has miraculously ordered the exact same thing we had and is not some lunatic who thieves other people’s take-out which, apparently, sound better than what they ordered. Nevertheless, he walked up to the front then repeated, Veggie Fried Rice, Kung Pao Chicken, and 2 sushi rolls, please, which caused the hostess to immediately spring into action.
I KNEW that wasn’t her order! I KNEW it! She fumed, as she raced out the front door of the restaurant, coming back a few minutes later empty handed. The take-out thief had disappeared into the night!
The hostess was more than apologetic, and got a second round of our meal ready in just 4 minutes. FOUR MINUTES! Ben finally got home and retold the entire story to me while unpacking and opening the to-go containers – only to find his Kung Pao Chicken had been remade as Cashew Chicken.
Bless. That. Man.
Babe, these Kung Pao Chicken Burgers are for you!
Moist chicken burgers are laced and topped with a signature spicy, slightly-sweet Kung Pao sauce. These burgers will crush any craving for Kung Pao Chicken – and you don’t need to order out to get ’em in your hot little hand. Plus they’re just so much fun! I love when I can put a little spin on one of our favorite dishes.
Start out by making the Kung Pao Sauce. This sauce will not only flavor the burgers, but will also be reduced and thickened to serve as a luscious, spicy sauce to spoon on top! First add 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce into a bowl.
FYI – this sauce will be FAR too salty if you use regular soy sauce, so make sure it’s low-sodium!
Next add 1/4 cup mirin, or sweet, Japanese cooking wine, which can be found right in the Asian food aisle at the grocery store. You could also sub any sweet white wine in its place.
In goes 4 teaspoons chili garlic sauce for a bit of heat. Now, I am a spice WUSS (as in, I request a “0” on the spice scale when ordering dishes at Asian restaurants) and I didn’t think this was too hot. If you are serving this to kids, though, I’d cut the amount in half.
Finish up with 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Stir everything together, then set it aside.
Burger time! Start with 1lb ground chicken breast. I wanted to be sure to add ground chicken to Chicken Week, because it’s so versatile. You can use it in soups, stews, stir frys, and yes, burgers!
To the chicken add 2 chopped green onions, and 2 minced garlic cloves.Â
Next add 1 egg white, and 1/4 cup chopped peanuts. The peanuts are optional (in case you have a peanut allergy or something) but Ben’s Kung Pao Chicken always comes with peanuts, which he (and I!) love .
Finally, add 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, and 2 Tablespoons of the prepared Kung Pao Sauce.Â
Mix everything together, then form into 4 burger patties.
Cook the burgers over medium-high heat for 4-5 minute a side, or until cooked through.
Meanwhile, combine 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1/4 cup water, then whisk into the remaining Kung Pao Sauce. Transfer to a small saucepan then let the sauce reduce over medium heat until thick and bubbly. It should be ready before the burgers are even finished cooking.
Place the burgers onto a lightly toasted bun (I like Thin Buns) then top with a spoonful of thickened sauce, and a sprinkling of fresh spinach, then devour!
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Kung Pao Chicken Burgers
Description
Kung Pao Chicken Burgers are laced and topped with a spicy and slightly-sweet Kung Pao sauce. AÂ fun and unique way to enjoy the popular Chinese dish!Â
Ingredients
- 1lb ground chicken
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
- 1 egg white
- 2 garlic cloves, microplaned or minced
- 4 buns
- For the sauce:
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (do not recommend regular)
- 1/4 cup mirin (or any sweet white wine)
- 4 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, microplaned or minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine all sauce ingredients except for the cornstarch and water then set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, green onions, bread crumbs, peanuts, egg white, garlic, and 2 Tablespoons prepared sauce then mix with hands until just combined and form into 4 patties. Cook in a nonstick-sprayed skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes a side, or until done.
- Meanwhile, stir cornstarch and water together in a small bowl then whisk into remaining sauce. Transfer to a small saucepan then reduce over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
- Place cooked burgers on toasted buns then top with reduced sauce and desired burger toppings.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Hope you enjoy these yummy, spicy/sweet, finger lickin’ burgers!
Heather @ What Does She Do All Day? 01.30.2013
I’ve been the victim of a take out thief before and it is no fun! My new order was not made in 4 minutes, though! I love chicken burgers. I just posted Mexican Chicken Burgers on Monday. I definitely need to try these Kung Pao Chicken Burgers!
Bek @ Crave 01.30.2013
Yum! We are trying to have a homemade ‘burger’ night every fortnight and these look perfect!
Nina @ Too Hottie For That Body 01.29.2013
Ah poor Ben! I would be tempted Kung Poa anybody who tried to steal my take out… what a weirdo! But there is a silver lining because now we have this awesome burger to thank for it. Luckily, I still have some mirin in the pantry from your kale fried rice recipe that I may or may not have eaten every other day for a week and a half.
Iowa Girl Eats 01.30.2013
Hahaha, I’m obsessed with that dish too! ;)
D'Ann Marti 01.29.2013
I switched over to a low fat, whole foods, plant based diet last August. But… for some reason I am completely compelled to torture myself daily with your food blog! Between your humor, fantastic food photgraphy, and endless tasty deights, I just can’t give it up! On a few rare occasions that something sounded completely over-the-top amazing, I refused to open the email and hurt myself any further lol:) You site rocks, and I make just about anything that you post that I can alter to make it fit in my new PB groove… Your Friday posts are my favorite!
Kristen 01.29.2013
I’m a vegetarian, and plan to make this with ground “not meat” and no peanuts (just my taste) but I love the idea! Garlic sauce next?
Brie @ Entrée the Giant 01.29.2013
IGE, you make the best burgers <3
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 01.29.2013
Geeez….people seriously steal other customers take-out orders?? What has this world come to?!?
Nancy 01.29.2013
From another local, where is your favorite Asian place in town? I’m always looking for new suggestions…
rosemary 01.30.2013
I’d like to know where that Asian restaurant is also !
Janet Lu 01.29.2013
Yum!
Bree 01.29.2013
OMGee looks soooo good.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 01.29.2013
Takeout thief! lol People never cease to amaze me!
Janel Gradowski 01.29.2013
Sometimes I just HAVE to have Chinese takeout. I love your burger-fied version! I was shaking my head at your story of the takeout thief. I’ve never heard of that happening before, at least not on purpose. Very strange!
Lauren 01.29.2013
I always appreciate the simplicity and clever recipes that come out of your kitchen. Made your cheesy taco soup tonight. Took me 23 min start to finish! (Sooo quick) The husband gave it 5 stars (yes he occasionally rates my meals 1 to 5 stars). So it has officially been saved in my online recipe library. Kung Pao chicken looks like another great one! I’m going to need to start an IGE file! Some of our regulars include your chipotle burrito bowls and creamy artichoke pasta. – just thought you should know. Thanks!!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.30.2013
Yes! Love the 5 star husband ratings!
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 01.29.2013
That’s such a crazy story! I wonder what was up with that lady. Anyway this sauce sounds soo good, and I love that it’s inside the burger too :) What a fun burger idea!
Jen @ Savory Simple 01.29.2013
Holy cow this looks amazing
debtgirl 01.29.2013
That looks good!
Trisha 01.29.2013
Bahahhaha! Poor Ben, but hilarious story. Sounds like something that would most definitely happen to my husband too. He is ALWAYS getting the wrong order, his order messed up, or missing items all together when he orders takeout or goes to a drive-thru. ALWAYS.
Dee 01.29.2013
Sounds like a Seinfeld episode! The burgers look good; I will give them a try.
Jess 01.29.2013
These look SO good!!
Sarah 01.29.2013
This looks delicious! I love the sauce too. On 2 separate occasions, my sub at Subway has been given away to other people. Once they realize it, I have never seen anyone make a sandwich so fast!