5 Mouthwatering Chinese Chicken Recipes You Must Try

Chinese cuisine offers an abundance of diverse flavors and cooking techniques that make it beloved worldwide. Chicken, with its versatility and ability to absorb flavors, is a favorite protein in many Chinese recipes. From the crispy delight of General Tso's Chicken to the comforting embrace of Chicken Congee, there's a chicken dish for every palate. Here, we explore five mouthwatering Chinese chicken recipes you simply must try:

1. General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken is perhaps one of the most iconic dishes in American Chinese cuisine. Named after a historical figure, this dish features crispy, fried chicken pieces smothered in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce.

• Ingredients:
  • Chicken thigh meat (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • Cornstarch
  • Egg
  • Oil for frying
  • Garlic and ginger
  • Soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar
  • Sugar
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Scallions and sesame seeds for garnish
• Method:
  1. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of egg, cornstarch, and salt for at least 20 minutes.
  2. Deep fry the chicken until crispy and golden brown. Set aside.
  3. In a wok or pan, sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add the sauces, sugar, and red pepper flakes, and cook until the sauce thickens.
  4. Return the chicken to the pan, toss to coat with the sauce, and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.

2. Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken is a stir-fry dish known for its bold flavors and the combination of peanuts, chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns.

• Ingredients:
  • Chicken breast, cubed
  • Peanuts or cashews
  • Dried chili peppers
  • Spring onions
  • Soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, sugar, Shaoxing wine
  • Cornstarch
  • Garlic, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns
• Method:
  1. Marinate the chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch.
  2. Heat oil in a wok, stir-fry the marinated chicken until nearly cooked through.
  3. Add garlic, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chilies, then the rest of the ingredients except for peanuts.
  4. Toss in the peanuts or cashews at the last minute, and serve hot.

3. Sweet and Sour Chicken

This dish is loved for its perfect balance of flavors. The chicken is crispy, and the sauce is both sweet and tangy, making it an irresistible combination.

• Ingredients:
  • Chicken pieces (breast or thighs)
  • Batter made from flour, baking powder, salt, and water
  • Pineapple chunks
  • Red and green bell peppers
  • Onion
  • Ketchup, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch for thickening
• Method:
  1. Coat the chicken in batter and deep fry until golden.
  2. Prepare the sauce by mixing the wet ingredients and thickening with cornstarch slurry.
  3. Sauté vegetables and pineapple in a pan, then add the sauce.
  4. Add the fried chicken to the pan, toss to coat, and serve.

4. Lemon Chicken

Lemon Chicken offers a refreshing twist with its citrusy sauce that perfectly complements the tender, fried chicken.

• Ingredients:
  • Chicken breast fillets
  • Flour and cornstarch for coating
  • Lemon (for zest and juice)
  • Sugar, soy sauce, honey, chicken stock
  • Egg whites for frying
• Method:
  1. Bread and fry the chicken in the usual manner until golden.
  2. Make a lemon sauce by mixing lemon zest, juice, sugar, honey, soy sauce, and chicken stock, then thicken with cornstarch.
  3. Combine chicken with sauce, garnish with lemon slices, and serve.

5. Chicken Congee

Chicken Congee, or rice porridge, is a comfort food in Chinese cuisine. It’s simple to make but deeply satisfying, often eaten for breakfast or when one feels under the weather.

• Ingredients:
  • Rice
  • Chicken (on the bone or shredded)
  • Chicken broth or water
  • Ginger, garlic
  • Salt and pepper
  • Toppings like green onions, fried shallots, soy sauce, and sesame oil
• Method:
  1. Rinse rice and cook in broth or water along with chicken, ginger, and garlic until the rice breaks down to a creamy consistency.
  2. Shred or chop the cooked chicken and return to the pot.
  3. Season with salt and pepper, then serve with preferred toppings.

Chinese chicken dishes showcase the art of balancing flavors. Whether you're looking for something sweet, spicy, or savory, these five recipes offer a variety of flavors and textures to explore. They also highlight the importance of contrast in Chinese cuisine - sweet with sour, spicy with cool, and soft with crispy. Trying these recipes at home can not only satiate your cravings for authentic Chinese food but also enrich your culinary skills. Cooking is not just about following a recipe; it's about understanding the harmony of flavors and the joy of sharing a delicious meal.

What is the difference between General Tso’s Chicken and Kung Pao Chicken?

+

General Tso’s Chicken is characterized by its sweet and tangy sauce with a slight kick of spice, while Kung Pao Chicken focuses on the spicy, nutty flavors with the addition of peanuts or cashews, chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Are these recipes suitable for beginners?

+

Yes, most of these recipes are beginner-friendly, especially if you have some basic cooking skills. Chicken Congee might be the simplest to start with, while General Tso’s or Sweet and Sour Chicken could challenge you with frying techniques.

Can I make these dishes healthier?

+

Absolutely! Reduce the use of frying by baking or air-frying chicken, use less sugar or honey in sauces, and add more vegetables to your dishes to boost their nutritional content.