Stir-Fried Chicken with Chinese Garlic Sauce

A simple, classic recipe in the Chinese kitchen, and now a popular take-out dish, this Stir-Fried Chicken with Chinese Garlic Sauce is a great example of how garlic is used abundantly in Chinese cooking.

Ingredients:                                                                                     

• 1 pound chicken breast tenders – cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thin strips
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp Season with Spice’s finely ground white pepper
• 2 tbsp peanut oil or vegetable oil, divided
• 5-6 garlic cloves – minced
• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped red onion
• A handful of snow peas - trimmed
• 1/2 red bell pepper – cut into thin strips

For the sauce:

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp dark soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine, or dry sherry (optional)
• 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tsp cornstarch

Method:                  
                                                                           
1. In a large bowl, toss chicken strips with toasted sesame oil and white pepper.Marinate for 10-15 minutes.

 2. In a small bowl, stir together rice vinegar, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Chinese rice wine (if using), brown sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.

3. Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add 1 tbsp of oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces, spreading it out as much as possible. Sear for 1 minute without stirring until the edges are lightly browned, then stir to cook all sides until just cooked
 through - about 2-3 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a bowl and set aside.

4. Reheat the same wok, swirl in another tablespoon of oil, add in garlic, ginger, and red chili flakes. Stir-fry over low heat for about 10-15 seconds, or until aromatic, taking care not to burn the garlic. Turn up the heat to high, add in snow peas and red onion, and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Add in red bell pepper, and cook for one minute – making  sure to stir and toss the ingredients well. When the vegetables are bright and almost crisp-tender, stir in the cooked chicken. Then take the prepared sauce, give it a stir, and
quickly pour it into the wok, cooking until the sauce thickens. Add in one or two tablespoon of water if needed, toss well, and cook for a further 30 seconds or the mixture is hot and bubbly. Turn heat off, and transfer to a serving plate. Serve hot with steamed rice (brown rice is best).

 by:blog.seasonwithspice.com