Ingredients
Chicken & Coating
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons cornstarch, divided use
Sauce & Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup green onions, cut into 1 inch pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: Place the thinly sliced chicken breast and 1/4 cup cornstarch in a resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and shake well to coat the chicken pieces evenly with cornstarch.
- Heat the Oil: In a large pan or skillet, heat the vegetable oil over high heat until shimmering and hot enough for frying.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the coated chicken pieces to the pan in a single layer, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Avoid overcrowding by cooking in batches if necessary. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Drain the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and ginger to the same pan and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, water, and dark brown sugar. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and cook 30-60 seconds until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken and green onions to the pan. Toss everything to evenly coat the chicken with the glossy sauce. Serve immediately, ideally over steamed rice.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, make sure the oil is hot before adding the chicken.
- Cook chicken in batches to avoid steaming instead of frying.
- Adjust brown sugar to taste if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
- Serve with steamed jasmine or white rice to soak up the sauce.
- Green onions can be substituted or complemented with sliced bell peppers for added crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese