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Chinese Chicken with Garlic Sauce

Tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a savory-sweet garlic sauce come together in this quick weeknight stir-fry that tastes like your favorite restaurant.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian, Chinese
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 bell pepper sliced
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • Cooked white or brown rice for serving
  • Chopped scallions for garnish

Equipment

  • large skillet or wok
  • mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • Spatula or tongs

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until evenly coated.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side.
  4. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  5. Add the remaining vegetable oil and sesame oil to the same skillet.
  6. Add the bell pepper, onion, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
  7. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet, stir and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  8. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, chicken broth, rice vinegar, sugar, oyster sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes until sugar dissolves.
  9. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the vegetables and bring to a simmer.
  10. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
  11. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the chicken to heat through.
  12. Serve the Chinese chicken with garlic sauce over a bed of cooked rice and garnish with chopped scallions.

Notes

For added flavor, marinate chicken in soy sauce and ginger for 30 minutes before cooking. Use a variety of vegetables like snow peas, carrots, or mushrooms for different textures. Adjust spice level by increasing or omitting crushed red pepper flakes. Great for meal prep and can be stored in fridge for up to 3 days. To make vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh and use vegetable broth.