Chongqing Chicken

Step 1
Mix cooking sherry, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt and pepper for the marinade in a bowl. Add chicken pieces and set aside to marinate.

Step 2
Combine chicken stock, chile paste, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch for the sauce in a bowl. Stir until well combined, add sesame seeds, and set aside.

Step 3
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chile peppers and cook until they turn dark red, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 4
Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and fry chicken pieces until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add cracked pepper, ginger, garlic, salt, white parts of scallions, and peanuts. Fry an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Add reserved chiles and sauce. Cook and stir until mixture has thickened or desired consistency is reached, about 5 minutes. Garnish with additional sesame seeds and green parts of scallions.