Royally Flavorful Empress Chicken Recipe Fit for a Palace Feast

Tender chicken pieces dance with a golden, irresistible crispy empress chicken recipe coating that promises pure delight.

Layers of flavor burst through each carefully seasoned bite.

The secret lies in a delicate balance of crunch and succulence.

Spices weave magic into every morsel, creating a dish that speaks to comfort and excitement.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of textures that will make taste buds sing.

Restaurants would envy this homemade masterpiece that comes together with surprising ease.

You’ll want to savor every single crispy, delectable moment of this culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients For Empress Chicken Recipe

• Cornstarch: Creates a light, crispy coating that helps seal in chicken's moisture.
• Flour: Provides extra crunch and golden texture for the chicken exterior.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and depth to the breading.

• Eggs: Helps breading stick to chicken and creates a protective layer.
• Water: Thins eggs for better coating coverage.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides neutral flavor and high smoke point for deep frying.

• Chicken Broth: Creates a savory liquid foundation for the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Adds rich umami and deep saltiness.
• Hoisin Sauce: Delivers sweet and tangy complexity.
• Rice Vinegar: Introduces bright, sharp acidity to balance flavors.
• Brown Sugar: Provides caramel-like sweetness and depth.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps sauce glaze.

• Garlic: Brings intense, pungent flavor.
• Ginger: Offers warm, spicy undertone.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and subtle spiciness.
• Sesame Oil: Contributes nutty, toasted essence.

• Cornstarch: Creates silky, glossy sauce texture.

• Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp brightness.
• Sesame Seeds: Provides subtle nutty crunch.

Gear You’ll Need For Empress Chicken Recipe

• Large mixing bowl: For combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: To blend eggs and water smoothly.
• Deep frying pan: For frying chicken to golden perfection.
• Paper towels: To drain excess oil from fried chicken.
• Saucepan: For preparing the rich, flavorful sauce.
• Cutting board: To chop green onions for garnish.
• Sharp knife: For precise green onion chopping.
• Tongs: To safely handle and turn chicken while frying.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Empress Chicken Recipe

• Kick Off the Crispy Coating

Blend a magical mixture of cornstarch and flour with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk eggs with a splash of water to create a silky dip.

• Transform Chicken into Crispy Gems

Dive each chicken piece into the egg bath, then roll it through the powdery coating until fully dressed.

• Sizzle to Golden Perfection

Fire up your pan with a generous puddle of vegetable oil. Dance the chicken pieces in hot oil, turning them until they’re a gorgeous golden brown and irresistibly crunchy.

• Craft the Flavor Explosion

In a saucepan, marry chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Let them mingle and simmer.

• Thicken the Flavor Wave

Introduce a quick cornstarch swirl to transform the sauce into a luxurious, clingy glaze.

• Coat and Celebrate

Tumble the crispy chicken in the glossy sauce, ensuring every piece is drenched in deliciousness.

• Final Touch of Elegance

Sprinkle with chopped green onions and a shower of sesame seeds. Serve alongside steamed rice or vibrant vegetables for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Tasty Swaps For Empress Chicken Recipe

• Crispy Chicken Coating Perfection: Double-dip the chicken in egg and flour for an extra crunchy exterior that seals in moisture and creates a delightful texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep the chicken and sauce separately, storing them in the refrigerator. Fry and combine just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.
• Dietary Swap Options: Use gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version, or swap chicken with tofu for a vegetarian alternative that absorbs the rich sauce beautifully.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to dial the heat up or down. For mild lovers, reduce to a pinch; for heat seekers, add an extra sprinkle for a fiery kick.
• Low-Oil Baking Hack: For a healthier twist, bake the coated chicken on a wire rack at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through for even browning and less oil absorption.

Serve Empress Chicken Recipe Hot With Rice

• Flavor Fusion Plating: Arrange crispy chicken pieces over a bed of fluffy steamed jasmine rice, drizzling extra sauce around the edges for a stunning visual presentation that enhances taste and texture.
• Asian-Inspired Sides: Pair with quick-pickled cucumber salad or roasted bok choy to complement the sweet and savory sauce, adding fresh and light elements to balance the rich chicken.
• Texture Contrast Combo: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for a delightful crunch and bright color pop, creating multiple sensory experiences in every bite.
• Spice Level Customization: Serve with small dishes of extra red pepper flakes or chili oil on the side, allowing guests to adjust heat intensity according to their personal spice preferences.

Keep Empress Chicken Recipe Fresh For Later

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare extra chicken pieces and sauce separately to create quick meals throughout the week. Store fried chicken and sauce in different containers to maintain maximum crispiness.
• Refrigerator Survival Strategy: Keep leftover Empress Chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Separate crispy chicken from sauce to prevent soggy texture when reheating.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes to restore original crispiness. Microwave sauce separately and drizzle over chicken just before serving to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze uncoated fried chicken and sauce in separate freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat following the oven method for best results.

Crispy Empress Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent Empress Chicken delights diners with classic Chinese-American flavors balanced between crispy coating and tender meat. Savory sauce and perfectly fried chicken pieces promise a restaurant-quality meal you can easily create at home.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsps hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar
• 2 tbsps brown sugar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps water (slurry)
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• Vegetable oil, for frying

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Instructions

1. Coating Preparation: Craft a zesty seasoned blend by thoroughly mixing cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Create a silky binding liquid by whisking eggs with water until smooth and uniform.
2. Breading Technique: Meticulously dip each chicken piece into the egg wash, ensuring complete coverage, then generously enrobe with the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to secure an even, crisp coating.
3. Frying Process: Ignite vegetable oil in a robust skillet until it reaches a shimmering, hot state. Delicately introduce chicken pieces, maintaining consistent temperature. Fry each batch until achieving a deep golden-brown crust with an irresistibly crisp exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Sauce Creation: While chicken drains on a paper towel-lined rack, merge chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan.
5. Sauce Development: Bring sauce ingredients to a gentle simmer, continuously stirring to prevent scorching and allow flavors to harmonize. Introduce a cornstarch slurry to thicken, cooking until the mixture transforms into a glossy, smooth consistency that elegantly coats the back of a spoon.
6. Final Assembly: Lovingly fold the crispy chicken pieces into the warm, glossy sauce, ensuring each morsel becomes luxuriously glazed. Sprinkle with finely sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an exquisite finishing touch.
7. Serving Suggestion: Present immediately alongside steamed jasmine rice or roasted seasonal vegetables, creating a vibrant and satisfying culinary experience.

Notes

• Optimize Breading Technique: Press coating firmly onto chicken to create a thick, even layer that locks in moisture and ensures maximum crispiness.
• Manage Oil Temperature: Keep oil consistently around 350°F to prevent burning or undercooking, using a kitchen thermometer for precise control and golden-brown results.
• Sauce Consistency Matters: Whisk cornstarch slurry slowly and steadily to avoid lumps, achieving a glossy sauce that clings perfectly to each chicken piece without becoming too thick or thin.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same crispy texture while making the dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg