Description
Chicken in Garlic Sauce delivers a mouthwatering twist on classic Chinese comfort food that brings zesty flavor right to your dinner table. Tender chicken pieces swim in a silky, aromatic sauce that makes weeknight cooking feel like a delicious culinary adventure.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1½ lbs boneless chicken thighs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- ¼ cup water
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp neutral cooking oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger
- 1 red bell pepper
- 4 green onions
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk 3 tbsp dark soy sauce, ½ cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1½ tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp sriracha, ¼ cup water, and ½ tsp black pepper in a bowl until fully combined.
- Toss 1½ lbs chicken pieces with 2 tbsp dark soy sauce and 2 tbsp cornstarch, ensuring every piece gets an even coating.
- Warm 2 tbsp neutral oil in a large skillet at medium heat for 2 minutes. Add chicken in single layers, cooking 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer chicken to a plate, leaving 1 tbsp oil in the skillet. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, sautéing for 45-60 seconds until aromatic.
- Return chicken to the skillet with 1 sliced red bell pepper and 4 chopped green onions. Pour prepared sauce over the mixture, stirring to coat completely.
- Simmer the entire dish at medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, allowing sauce to thicken and chicken to absorb flavors. Serve immediately over steamed rice.
Notes
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes to boost flavor absorption and ensure tender meat.
- Toast garlic and ginger briefly to release their aromatic oils without burning, which can create a bitter taste.
- Use high-heat cooking like a wok or cast-iron skillet to get that perfect golden-brown chicken exterior with a crispy texture.
- For a gluten-free version, swap dark soy sauce for tamari and verify your chicken broth is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 272 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg