Chinese Skillet Chicken Recipes: Quick and Easy Meal Ideas

If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make chicken dish, look no further than Chinese skillet chicken recipes. These recipes offer a wealth of flavours and textures that are sure to please even the most discerning palate. From crispy honey chicken to spicy Szechuan chicken, there's a skillet recipe out there for everyone.

When it comes to choosing the right ingredients for your Chinese skillet chicken recipe, it's important to pay attention to the flavours and textures you want to achieve. For instance, if you're looking for a crispy exterior, you might want to use cornstarch or flour to coat your chicken before cooking. Alternatively, if you're looking for a more tender chicken, you might want to consider marinating your chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and ginger.

Once you've chosen your ingredients, it's time to start cooking. You can cook your chicken in a variety of ways, including stir-frying, pan-frying, and baking. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even add some seafood to your recipe, such as shrimp or scallops, to give it an extra boost of flavour. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find a Chinese skillet chicken recipe that's perfect for you.

Key Takeaways

• Choosing the right ingredients is key to making a delicious Chinese skillet chicken recipe.
• There are many different ways to cook Chinese skillet chicken, including stir-frying, pan-frying, and baking.
• Adding seafood to your recipe can give it an extra boost of flavour and texture.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

When it comes to making a delicious Chinese skillet chicken recipe, selecting the right ingredients is crucial. Here are some tips to help you choose the best ingredients for your dish.

Selecting Chicken

When selecting chicken for your skillet recipe, it's important to choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. These cuts of meat are perfect for skillet cooking as they cook quickly and absorb the flavours of the other ingredients in the dish.

Fresh vs Dried Spices

When it comes to spices, it's always best to use fresh ginger and garlic whenever possible. Fresh ginger and garlic add a depth of flavour that dried spices can't match. However, if fresh ginger and garlic are not available, dried spices can be used as a substitute.

Chinese five-spice blend is a popular spice mixture that is used in many Chinese skillet chicken recipes. You can make your own blend or just purchase a blend at most grocery stores. A typical blend can include fennel, clove, cinnamon, peppers, and star anise.

Types of Oils for Cooking

When it comes to cooking oil, sesame oil is a popular choice for Chinese skillet chicken recipes. It adds a nutty flavour and aroma to the dish. However, if you don't have sesame oil on hand, you can use olive oil or vegetable oil as a substitute.

If you are looking to add some seafood to your skillet recipe, shrimp or scallops are great options. They cook quickly and pair well with the other ingredients in the dish. Just make sure to cook them separately before adding them to the skillet to avoid overcooking them.

By following these tips, you can choose the best ingredients for your Chinese skillet chicken recipe and create a delicious and flavourful dish that your family and friends will love.

Marinating Techniques

Marinating is an essential step in preparing Chinese skillet chicken. It helps to infuse the meat with flavour and makes it tender. Here are some tips to help you create the perfect marinade.

Creating the Perfect Marinade

To create the perfect marinade, you will need the following ingredients: soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, salt, pepper, sugar, honey, vinegar, and orange juice. Combine these ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can also add other ingredients like chilli flakes or Chinese five-spice powder to give the marinade more depth of flavour.

When it comes to the type of soy sauce, you can use either light or dark soy sauce. Light soy sauce is saltier and has a lighter colour. Dark soy sauce is less salty and has a richer flavour and darker colour. For the ginger and garlic, you can use either fresh or powdered. Fresh ginger and garlic will give the marinade a more intense flavour.

Marination Time

The marination time depends on the type of meat you are using. For chicken, marinate it for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. Seafood can also be used in this recipe. Shrimp, scallops, and squid are great options. Marinate seafood for no more than 30 minutes to prevent it from becoming too soft.

After marinating, remove the chicken or seafood from the marinade and pat it dry with a paper towel. Discard the remaining marinade. This will prevent the meat from becoming too salty and will allow it to brown properly in the skillet.

In conclusion, marinating is an important step in preparing Chinese skillet chicken. By following these tips, you can create a delicious and flavourful dish that everyone will enjoy.

Cooking Methods

When it comes to making Chinese skillet chicken, there are a few different cooking methods you can use to achieve delicious and tender results. Here are some of the most popular methods:

Using a Skillet

A skillet is a great tool for cooking Chinese skillet chicken. You can use a regular skillet or a cast iron skillet. Start by heating up some oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook until browned on both sides. Make sure the chicken is cooked through before serving.

Stir Frying in a Wok

Stir frying in a wok is another popular method for making Chinese skillet chicken. Heat up some oil in the wok over high heat, then add the chicken and stir fry until browned. You can also add in some vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and peppers for added flavour and nutrition. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add in some seafood like shrimp or scallops.

Oven Baking for Tenderness

Oven baking is a great method for achieving tender and juicy Chinese skillet chicken. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Place the chicken in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. You can also add in some vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions for a complete meal.

Overall, there are many different ways to cook Chinese skillet chicken. Whether you prefer using a skillet, wok, or oven, the key is to make sure the chicken is cooked through and tender. Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and cooking methods to find your perfect recipe.

Assembling the Dish

Combining Ingredients

To make your Chinese skillet chicken recipe, start by combining your chicken with your preferred spices and marinade. You can use a variety of spices, such as Chinese five-spice powder, garlic powder, and ginger, to give your chicken a unique flavour. You can also add cornstarch to your chicken to make it crispy.

Once your chicken is marinated, heat up your skillet over medium heat and cook your chicken until it is browned on both sides. You can also add seafood to your skillet if you prefer. Shrimp, scallops, and squid are all great options for a seafood twist on this dish.

Adding Veggies and Garnishes

After your chicken (and seafood, if you added any) is cooked, you can add your veggies to your skillet. Bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and water chestnuts are all great options for adding some colour and nutrition to your dish. You can also add green onions for a pop of colour and flavour.

Once your veggies are cooked to your liking, you can garnish your dish with sesame seeds and additional green onions. You can also add a squeeze of lime juice for some extra zing. Serve your dish over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

In summary, making a Chinese skillet chicken dish is easy and versatile. You can add your favourite spices, veggies, and seafood to make it your own. Don't forget to garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for a finishing touch.

Serving and Pairing

Accompaniments

Chinese skillet chicken recipes are versatile and can be paired with a variety of sides. Rice is a classic accompaniment that complements the flavours of the chicken. Jasmine rice, in particular, is a popular choice due to its fragrant aroma and slightly sticky texture. Fried rice is another option that can be made with leftover rice.

If you're looking for a low-carb option, cauliflower rice is a great substitute. You can also serve the chicken with Asian slaw or stir-fried vegetables for a healthy and balanced meal.

For seafood lovers, you can add shrimp or prawns to the skillet for an extra burst of flavour. Alternatively, you can serve the chicken with a side of steamed fish or seafood stir-fry.

Presentation Tips

Presentation is key when it comes to serving Chinese skillet chicken. To make your dish look more appetizing, you can garnish it with chopped scallions or cilantro. You can also add a few slices of fresh chili for a spicy kick.

To make the dish more visually appealing, you can serve it in a large skillet or on a platter. If you're serving it with rice, you can mould the rice into a small bowl and invert it onto the plate to create a neat and tidy presentation.

Chinese skillet chicken recipes are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. They are also great for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge for a few days. So, next time you're looking for a delicious and flavourful meal, try making one of these recipes and pair it with your favourite sides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a quick and simple Chinese chicken dish I can cook in a skillet?

If you're looking for a quick and simple Chinese chicken dish to cook in a skillet, you might want to try Kung Pao Chicken. It's a spicy and flavourful dish that's easy to make and can be ready in under 30 minutes. You can find a recipe for Kung Pao Chicken in the search results above.

How do I make a healthier version of Chinese chicken in a skillet?

To make a healthier version of Chinese chicken in a skillet, you can use skinless, boneless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs, which are higher in fat. You can also use olive oil instead of vegetable oil to reduce the amount of saturated fat in the dish. Additionally, you can add more vegetables to the dish, such as broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers, to increase the nutritional value of the meal.

Can you suggest a Chinese chicken recipe that includes rice, all made in one skillet?

Sure, a great Chinese chicken recipe that includes rice and is all made in one skillet is Easy Asian-Style Chicken Breasts. It's a sticky and flavourful dish that's easy to make and can be ready in under 30 minutes. You can find a recipe for Easy Asian-Style Chicken Breasts in the search results above.

What's the secret to getting that crispy chicken texture in a Chinese skillet dish?

The secret to getting that crispy chicken texture in a Chinese skillet dish is to coat the chicken in cornstarch before cooking it. This will help to create a crispy exterior on the chicken. You can find more information on how to use cornstarch to make your skillet chicken extra crispy in the search results above.

What are some of the top-rated Chinese chicken recipes for cooking in a skillet?

Some of the top-rated Chinese chicken recipes for cooking in a skillet include Kung Pao Chicken, Crispy Chinese Honey Chicken, and Chinese Five Spice Chicken. You can find recipes for all of these dishes in the search results above.

How can I use cornstarch to make my skillet chicken extra crispy?

To use cornstarch to make your skillet chicken extra crispy, you should first coat the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch and seasoning. Then, you should pan-fry the chicken in hot oil until it's golden brown and crispy. You can find more detailed instructions on how to use cornstarch to make your skillet chicken extra crispy in the search results above.

If you're looking to add some seafood to your Chinese skillet chicken dishes, you might want to try adding shrimp or prawns. They're a great addition to dishes like Kung Pao Chicken and can be cooked in the same skillet as the chicken. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that the seafood is cooked through.