Chinese Chicken and Onions

What is Chinese Chicken and Onions

We have taken inspiration from Spice N' Pans' YouTube channel and bring to you this unbelievably easy yet tasty dish.

This dish is made with chicken breast chunks stir fired with garlic and onions coated in a thick soy and oyster-based sauce.

To ensure the chicken breast turns out tender and flavourful, we marinate it in some baking soda and soy sauce.

Ingredients

• 230 grams chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 red onions
• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
• 4 cloves of thinly sliced garlic
• 1 bunch spring onions, cut into sticks, separated into green and white parts
• 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 4 tablespoons of Chinese rice wine
• A few dashes of white pepper
• 1 tsp cornflour mixed 1 tbsp cold water

Preparing the Ingredients

Chicken preparation

Marinate the chicken in baking soda and soy sauce for at least 30 minutes.

Onion preparation

Peel the onions and slice them into thin wedges. Set aside.

Garlic preparation

Thinly slice the garlic cloves. Set both aside.

Sauce preparation

In a small bowl, mix together the oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, and white rice wine. Set aside.

Cooking the Dish

Cooking the onions and garlic

Heat a wok or large frying pan over medium high heat. Add some oil and sauté the onions, garlic, and chilli flakes for 3-4 minutes, or until the onions are slightly translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

Cooking the chicken

In the same wok or pan, add the chicken pieces and stir fry until partially cooked.

Adding the sauce

Pour the prepared sauce into the pan with the onions and garlic. Stir to combine everything.

The Nutritional Nitty-Gritty

Given the ingredients, let's break down the nutrition facts per serving (approx. 335g) of Chinese Chicken and Onions:

• Calories: 300 kcal
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 15
• Fats: 10g
• Fiber: 2g

Remember, these are approximate values and actual nutritional content can vary based on the specific ingredients used.

The Stir-Fry Secret: Tips and Tricks

• For an even more flavorful dish, consider marinating the chicken overnight.
• Don't overcrowd the pan. This helps in achieving a nice sear on the chicken, keeping it tender inside.
• Always prep your ingredients beforehand. Stir-frying is a quick process and you won't have time to chop during the cooking!

Ingredient Swaps: Substitutes and Alternatives

Can't find all the ingredients? No worries! Here are some swaps you can consider:

• Chicken: If you don't have chicken breast on hand, you can use chicken thighs. For a vegetarian alternative, consider tofu or tempeh.
• Chinese rice wine: Dry sherry or mirin can serve as decent substitutes. In a pinch, white wine or apple juice can also work.
• Dark soy sauce: Regular soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free) can be used instead. Keep in mind that dark soy sauce has a deeper color and slightly sweeter flavor.

Final touches

Let everything simmer for a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch solution, stirring constantly to avoid lumps until you reach your desired consistency. Add a few dashes of white pepper to taste. Finally, chop the spring onions into 1-inch pieces and add them to the pan. Give everything a quick stir to combine.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Chinese Chicken with Onions over a bed of steamed white or brown rice, or with some stir-fried noodles. You can also pair it with a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli or bok choy for a well-rounded meal. Enjoy!

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thigh? Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thigh meat. Just be aware that chicken breast can be less moist and tender than thigh meat, so adjust cooking times accordingly to avoid overcooking.

2. What other vegetables can I add to this dish? You can also add bell peppers, snow peas, or baby corn to the dish. Simply stir-fry them together with the onions and garlic before adding the sauce.

3. Can I make this dish vegetarian? Yes, you can replace the chicken with tofu or a mix of your favorite vegetables to make a vegetarian version of this dish. Be sure to adjust the cooking times accordingly.

4. What can I use instead of Chinese white rice wine? If you don't have Chinese white rice wine, you can substitute it with dry sherry or a dry white wine. Alternatively, you can also use apple juice or white grape juice as a non-alcoholic substitute.

5. How can I make this dish spicier? To add more heat to the dish, you can increase the number of dried chilies, or add a teaspoon of chili oil or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when stir-frying the onions and garlic.