Description
Homemade Chinese scallion chicken brings complex layers of savory flavor to kitchen tables. Ginger, garlic, and green onions combine deliciously, offering you a simple yet remarkable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400 g (14 oz) chicken thighs
- 2 cups scallions (chopped, white and green parts separated)
- 4 tbsps vegetable oil
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- ½ tbsp dark soy sauce
- ½ tbsp oyster sauce
- ½ tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tbsps corn starch
Instructions
- Marinate: Blend chicken thighs with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, ground black pepper, and corn starch. Let the meat absorb flavors for 10 minutes at room temperature, ensuring thorough coating.
- Prep Scallions: Finely chop scallions, meticulously separating white and green segments to create distinct flavor layers for the dish.
- Sear Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Arrange marinated chicken pieces without overcrowding, allowing each piece to caramelize evenly and develop a rich golden-brown crust.
- Cook Thoroughly: Sauté chicken for 6-8 minutes, rotating periodically to ensure uniform cooking and reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Incorporate white scallion segments midway through cooking to infuse additional aromatic depth.
- Finish and Garnish: Reduce heat if needed, covering the pan briefly to guarantee complete cooking. Sprinkle vibrant green scallion tops, tossing quickly to maintain their crisp texture and fresh flavor.
- Serve: Transfer the fragrant scallion chicken to a serving platter, optionally adding a final dusting of ground black pepper or decorative scallion ribbons. Accompany with steamed jasmine rice or delicate wheat noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Marinate Wisely: Let chicken absorb flavors at room temperature for maximum taste infusion, but avoid leaving meat out longer than 30 minutes to prevent bacterial growth.
- Pan Perfection: Use a non-stick skillet with sufficient surface area to prevent chicken pieces from touching, ensuring crispy caramelization instead of steaming.
- Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning; adjust flame if chicken browns too quickly or remains undercooked.
- Scallion Strategy: Reserve green tops until final moments of cooking to preserve their vibrant color, fresh flavor, and delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 427
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 754 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 126 mg