Delicious Chinese Simple Chicken Recipes: Fast and Simple Dishes for Hectic Evenings

Looking for a tasty and straightforward recipe that is perfect for any time of the day? Then Chinese chicken dishes might be just what you need. Chinese chicken recipes have a nice mix of sweet and savoury flavours that will please your palate and leave you feeling content. Whether you are cooking for yourself or a group of people, these recipes offer a fantastic way to savour the taste of China without leaving the comfort of your home.

To make the most of your Chinese chicken dishes, it's important to use the right ingredients and cooking techniques. Some essential ingredients for Chinese chicken dishes include soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. These ingredients are used to create the signature flavors that make Chinese cuisine so popular around the world.

When it comes to cooking techniques, stir-frying is one of the most common methods used in Chinese cuisine. This involves cooking small pieces of meat or vegetables in a hot wok or frying pan, using a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. By following these tips and using the right ingredients, you can create simple Chinese chicken recipes that are sure to impress.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese chicken dishes are a great way to enjoy a unique blend of sweet and savory flavors.
• Essential ingredients for Chinese chicken dishes include soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
• Cooking techniques like stir-frying are commonly used in Chinese cuisine to create delicious and easy-to-make dishes.

Essential Ingredients for Chinese Chicken Dishes

Chinese cuisine is known for its bold flavours and use of aromatic spices. When it comes to chicken dishes, there are certain ingredients that are essential to achieve an authentic taste. Here are some of the key ingredients that you should have in your pantry when making Chinese chicken dishes.

Sauces and Seasonings

• Soy Sauce: This is the backbone of Chinese cooking and adds a savoury umami flavour to dishes. Use light soy sauce for seasoning and dark soy sauce for colour.
• Sesame Oil: A few drops of sesame oil can add a nutty aroma and flavour to your dishes. Use it as a finishing oil, not for cooking.
• Garlic and Ginger: These two ingredients are used in almost every Chinese dish. Garlic adds a pungent flavour while ginger adds a spicy, earthy note.
• Green Onions: Also known as scallions, these are used as a garnish and can add a mild onion flavour to your dishes.
• Sesame Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds can add a nutty flavour and crunch to your dishes.
• Oyster Sauce: This thick, brown sauce is made from oysters and adds a sweet and salty flavour to dishes.
• Hoisin Sauce: This sauce is made from soybeans, garlic, vinegar and sugar and has a sweet and salty flavour.
• Shaoxing Wine: This rice wine is used in marinades and adds a depth of flavour to dishes.

Proteins and Vegetables

• Chicken Thighs: This cut of meat is used in most Chinese chicken dishes as it is more flavourful and tender than chicken breast.
• Chicken Breast: This lean cut of meat can be used in stir-fries and soups.
• Broccoli: This cruciferous vegetable is commonly used in Chinese dishes and adds a crunchy texture and fresh flavour.
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are commonly used in Chinese cuisine and add a meaty texture and umami flavour to dishes.
• Bell Pepper: Red, green and yellow bell peppers are commonly used in stir-fries and add a sweet and crunchy flavour.
• Carrots: These root vegetables are commonly used in Chinese dishes and add a sweet and earthy flavour.
• Snow Peas: These flat, edible pods are commonly used in stir-fries and add a sweet and crunchy texture.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add seafood to your Chinese chicken dishes. Shrimp, scallops and squid are commonly used in Chinese cuisine and can add a seafood flavour to your dishes. Just make sure to cook them separately before adding them to your chicken dish.

Cooking Techniques and Tips

Marinating for Flavour

Marinating is an essential step in Chinese cuisine to enhance the flavour of chicken. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavourful it will be. A simple marinade can be made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and a pinch of sugar. You can also add some chopped scallions or sesame oil for a more authentic taste. If you want to add seafood to your recipe, consider marinating your chicken with some shrimp paste or oyster sauce.

Mastering Stir-Fry

Stir-frying is a popular cooking technique in Chinese cuisine that involves cooking food quickly over high heat. To achieve the perfect stir-fry, make sure to cut the chicken into small, even-sized pieces. You can coat the chicken with cornstarch to make it more tender and juicy. Heat up your wok or pan until it's smoking hot before adding the oil and chicken. Keep stirring the chicken to prevent it from sticking to the pan. If you want to add seafood to your stir-fry, consider using small shrimp or scallops. They cook quickly and will add a nice flavour to your dish.

Achieving the Perfect Texture

Texture is key when it comes to Chinese chicken recipes. You want your chicken to be tender and juicy, not tough and dry. To achieve the perfect texture, make sure not to overcook your chicken. When stir-frying, cook the chicken until it's no longer pink and the juices run clear. You can also cook the chicken in a steamer or in the oven to keep it moist. If you want to add seafood to your recipe, consider using some crab meat or lobster. They will add a nice texture to your dish.

By following these simple cooking techniques and tips, you can create delicious Chinese chicken recipes that are sure to impress your friends and family. Don't be afraid to experiment with different marinades and seafood options to create your own unique dish.

Popular Chinese Chicken Recipes

If you're looking for some quick and easy Chinese chicken recipes to make at home, you're in luck! We've compiled a list of some of the most popular Chinese chicken dishes that are both delicious and simple to make.

Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken is a classic Chinese dish that's both spicy and savory. It's made with diced chicken, peanuts, and dried chili peppers, and is often served over rice. The dish gets its heat from Sichuan peppercorns, which give it a unique flavour. If you're not a fan of spicy food, you can adjust the amount of chili peppers you use to suit your taste.

Sesame Chicken

Sesame Chicken is another popular Chinese chicken dish that's both sweet and savoury. It's made with diced chicken, soy sauce, and sesame seeds, and is often served over rice. The dish gets its sweetness from honey or brown sugar, which gives it a unique flavour. If you're not a fan of sweet food, you can adjust the amount of honey or brown sugar you use to suit your taste.

Chicken and Broccoli

Chicken and Broccoli is a simple and healthy Chinese dish that's perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It's made with diced chicken, broccoli, and garlic, and is often served over rice. The dish gets its flavour from a simple soy sauce and garlic sauce, which gives it a delicious taste.

Moo Goo Gai Pan

Moo Goo Gai Pan is a classic Chinese dish that's both light and healthy. It's made with diced chicken, mushrooms, and vegetables, and is often served over rice. The dish gets its flavour from a simple oyster sauce and soy sauce mixture, which gives it a delicious taste. If you want to add some seafood to the dish, you can use shrimp or scallops instead of chicken.

Overall, these popular Chinese chicken recipes are easy to make and delicious to eat. Whether you're looking for something spicy or sweet, there's a dish on this list that will suit your taste. So why not give them a try and enjoy a taste of China at home?

Health Considerations in Chinese Cooking

When it comes to Chinese cooking, health considerations are important. You want to make sure that your meals are not only delicious but also nutritious. Here are some tips to keep in mind when cooking Chinese food.

Balancing Calories and Nutrition

Chinese cuisine is known for its bold flavors, but it can also be high in calories, fat, and sodium. To balance your meals, try to incorporate plenty of vegetables and lean proteins like chicken, seafood, and tofu. You can also choose healthier cooking methods like steaming or stir-frying instead of deep-frying.

Choosing Healthier Alternatives

When it comes to ingredients, there are plenty of healthier alternatives you can choose from. For example, instead of using regular soy sauce, you can opt for low-sodium soy sauce to reduce your sodium intake. You can also use vegetable oil instead of animal fats like lard or butter.

If you're looking to add some seafood to your Chinese chicken recipes, consider using shrimp or scallops. These options are low in calories and high in protein, making them a great addition to any meal. You can also try using fish sauce or oyster sauce for added flavour.

Overall, with a few simple tweaks, you can make your Chinese chicken recipes healthier and more nutritious. By balancing your calories and choosing healthier alternatives, you can enjoy delicious meals that are good for you too.

Where to Find Chinese Cooking Supplies

If you're looking to try your hand at making some simple Chinese chicken recipes, you'll need to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Here are some places to find what you need:

Asian Grocery Essentials

Your local Asian grocery store is a great place to find all the ingredients you need for Chinese cooking. Here are some essentials to look out for:

• Soy sauce: This is a staple in Chinese cooking and adds a salty, umami flavour to dishes.
• Rice vinegar: Used in many sauces and marinades, rice vinegar has a mild, slightly sweet flavour.
• Sesame oil: This fragrant oil is used to add flavour to stir-fries and marinades.
• Oyster sauce: Made from oysters, this sauce adds a rich, savoury flavour to dishes.
• Cornstarch: Used to thicken sauces and marinades.

In addition to these essentials, you may also find other ingredients like dried mushrooms, dried shrimp, and various types of noodles. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try adding some seafood like shrimp or scallops to your dishes.

Online Resources and Communities

In addition to your local Asian grocery store, there are also plenty of online resources and communities where you can find Chinese cooking supplies. Here are some to check out:

• Pinterest: This social media platform is a great place to find recipes and inspiration for Chinese cooking. You can also find links to online stores that sell Chinese cooking supplies.
• Facebook groups: There are plenty of Facebook groups dedicated to Chinese cooking, where you can ask for advice and recommendations on where to buy supplies.
• Instagram: Many food bloggers and influencers share their favourite Chinese recipes and cooking tips on Instagram. You can also find links to online stores that sell Chinese cooking supplies.
• Newsletters: Sign up for newsletters from online stores that sell Chinese cooking supplies, as they often offer discounts and promotions.

When it comes to seafood, you could try adding some prawns or squid to your stir-fries or curries. If you're feeling really adventurous, you could even try using some dried shrimp or dried scallops to add a unique flavour to your dishes. Just be sure to soak them in water before using them to rehydrate them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the secret to making really tender chicken in Chinese cuisine?

The secret to making tender chicken in Chinese cuisine is to marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil for at least an hour. This will help to break down the proteins in the chicken and infuse it with flavour. You can also add a little cornstarch to the marinade to help tenderize the meat.

Can you suggest some easy Chinese chicken recipes for a quick dinner?

Absolutely! Some easy Chinese chicken recipes you can try for a quick dinner include Kung Pao Chicken, General Tso's Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Chicken Chow Mein, and Chicken Fried Rice. These dishes are all quick and easy to make, and they're sure to be a hit with the whole family.

What are some classic Chinese chicken stir-fry techniques?

Some classic Chinese chicken stir-fry techniques include velveting, which involves marinating the chicken in a mixture of egg white, cornstarch, and rice wine before stir-frying, and wok hei, which is the smoky flavour that comes from cooking over high heat. You can also try using a variety of sauces and spices, such as soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, and ginger, to add flavour to your stir-fry.

Could you list some well-known Chinese chicken dishes?

Sure! Some well-known Chinese chicken dishes include Kung Pao Chicken, General Tso's Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Moo Goo Gai Pan, and Sesame Chicken. These dishes are all popular in Chinese cuisine and are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

How do you prepare a simple Chinese chicken breast dish?

To prepare a simple Chinese chicken breast dish, you can marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil for at least an hour. Then, you can stir-fry the chicken with some vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and onions. You can also add some seafood to the dish, such as shrimp or scallops, to give it a unique flavour.

What's the best way to cook a Chinese chicken curry?

The best way to cook a Chinese chicken curry is to start by sautéing some onions, garlic, and ginger in a large saucepan. Then, add some curry powder and cook for a few minutes until fragrant. Next, add some chicken broth, coconut milk, and diced chicken to the pan and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. You can also add some vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and peas to the curry for added flavour and nutrition. If you want to add some seafood to the dish, you can try using prawns or mussels.