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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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