If you’re searching for a dish that delivers both vibrant flavors and satisfying comfort, look no further than Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. This dish dazzles with tender slices of chicken perfectly coated in a savory, slightly sweet sauce packed with the fresh punch of scallions, garlic, and ginger. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough to serve guests, capturing the essence of classic Chinese home cooking with a bright, aromatic kick that keeps you coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might look straightforward, but each one plays a crucial role in building the harmony of flavors and textures in Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. From the tender chicken thighs providing juicy richness to the scallions bringing fresh crunch and color, every component is essential to create the perfect balance.
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Thighs offer juiciness and flavor, breasts are leaner, either works wonderfully.
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce: Adds a savory, salty depth that’s the backbone of the marinade.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch: Helps tenderize the chicken and creates a silky coating when cooked.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil: Provides a neutral cooking base with a high smoke point for stir-frying.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Brings a delicious nutty aroma that infuses the dish beautifully.
- 1 cup scallions, chopped (white and green parts): The star ingredient for that bright, oniony freshness and crunch.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Adds pungent warmth and depth of flavor.
- 1-inch piece ginger, minced: Gives a fresh, slightly spicy zing to cut through the richness.
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce: Contributes a luscious, umami-rich sweetness perfectly balancing the soy.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Adds subtle acidity to brighten the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon sugar: Softens and rounds out all the savory notes with gentle sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper: Provides warming spice and complexity.
- Optional: red pepper flakes: For those who love a touch of heat to elevate the dish.
How to Make Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by tossing the thinly sliced chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch. This simple marinade is a game changer, tenderizing the chicken and preparing it to soak up flavors while giving it a smooth, glossy finish once cooked. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to work its magic.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
Whisk together oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and black pepper in a small bowl. This sauce is where the bold, savory, and slightly sweet notes come alive, ready to coat every bite of chicken and scallions.
Step 3: Heat the Pan
Warm the vegetable oil and sesame oil together over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Blending these oils gives you the right balance of cooking heat and that irresistible sesame fragrance.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Add your marinated chicken slices to the hot pan and stir-fry until they’re beautifully golden and cooked through — about 5 to 7 minutes. The cornstarch marinade helps develop that slight crispiness on the outside while locking in juices inside.
Step 5: Add Aromatics
Next, stir in the minced garlic and ginger. Cooking these just a minute or two lifts their aroma, layering in fresh complexity that makes the dish so inviting.
Step 6: Incorporate Scallions
Throw in the chopped scallions and keep everything moving in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes. You want the scallions tender yet vibrantly green, giving the dish a fresh crunch and a burst of color that’s as pleasing to the eye as to the palate.
Step 7: Add Sauce
Pour in the prepared sauce and stir it all up, ensuring every bit of chicken and scallion is dipped in that luscious mixture. This step guarantees the harmony of flavors that makes Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe stand out.
Step 8: Final Touch
Cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly — just enough to cling deliciously to each bite.
Step 9: Serve Hot
Take the skillet off the heat and plate your creation immediately. For an extra pop, garnish with additional scallions if you like. Then, dive in and savor the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and fresh in every mouthful!
How to Serve Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh scallions sprinkled on top provide a crisp bite and vibrant green hue, enhancing both flavor and presentation. If you’re feeling adventurous, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a dash of red pepper flakes can add a nice kick.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy fried rice to soak up every drop of that irresistible sauce. For a lighter side, consider stir-fried greens like bok choy, or a crisp cucumber salad for refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the scallion chicken wrapped in soft steamed buns or lettuce cups, turning it into a hand-held delight. Alternatively, turn this into a noodle bowl by tossing with your favorite cooked noodles and garnishing generously with scallions and a squeeze of lime.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover Chinese Scallion Chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, but be sure to reheat gently to retain the tender texture of the chicken.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish for up to 2 months, but to maintain optimal texture, flash freeze the chicken on a tray first before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. When thawing, do so overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. This method keeps the chicken juicy and prevents it from drying out compared to microwaving.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well if you prefer leaner meat. Just slice them thinly and take care not to overcook, as breasts can dry out faster than thighs.
Is Chinese Scallion Chicken spicy?
The classic recipe isn’t spicy unless you add red pepper flakes or fresh chili peppers. Feel free to adjust the heat level according to your taste by including your preferred spicy elements.
Can I substitute oyster sauce?
If you don’t have oyster sauce, hoisin sauce or a mix of soy sauce and a bit of sugar can work as substitutes, but the flavor profile will be slightly different; oyster sauce adds a unique savory sweetness.
How important is marinating the chicken?
Marinating isn’t just about flavor; the soy sauce and cornstarch help tenderize and create a silken texture on the chicken when cooked. Skipping or shortening this step may affect the tender feel of the dish.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
While this version features chicken, you can swap in tofu or seitan and modify the sauce slightly to keep it vegetarian by using vegetarian oyster sauce alternatives or mushroom sauce.
Final Thoughts
Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe is truly a celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create something extraordinary. Its comforting yet fresh flavors make it a dish you’ll want to add to your regular recipe rotation. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite go-to meal that’s sure to impress family and friends alike.
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This Chinese Scallion Chicken recipe features tender sliced chicken stir-fried with vibrant scallions, garlic, and ginger in a savory oyster-soy sauce blend. A quick and flavorful dish ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal with an authentic Chinese taste.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, sliced thinly
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Cooking Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 cup scallions, chopped (white and green parts)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, minced
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the sliced chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly and let it marinate for 10-15 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and black pepper until fully combined. Set this savory sauce mixture aside for later use.
- Heat the Pan: Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil and sesame oil. Heat until the oils shimmer, which helps achieve a good sear on the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken slices to the hot pan. Stir-fry continuously for about 5-7 minutes, cooking until the chicken is cooked through and has a golden brown exterior.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and ginger to the cooked chicken. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the garlic and ginger become fragrant, infusing the dish with their aromatic flavors.
- Incorporate Scallions: Add the chopped scallions, both white and green parts, to the pan. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the scallions to soften slightly while retaining their vibrant color.
- Add Sauce: Pour the prepared oyster-soy sauce mixture into the pan. Stir everything together thoroughly so the sauce evenly coats the chicken and scallions.
- Final Touch: Continue to cook for another minute, stirring constantly. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and adhere beautifully to all the ingredients.
- Serve Hot: Remove the pan from heat and transfer the scallion chicken to plates. Garnish with extra scallions if desired, and serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat, or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- Adjust the sugar amount to balance the sauce to your preferred sweetness level.
- For added heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes during cooking.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Make sure not to overcook the scallions; they should remain tender-crisp and vibrant.
