Description
This Empress Chicken recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Crispy chicken pieces are coated in a bold garlic-ginger sauce that rivals your favorite takeout—but made right at home.
Ingredients
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3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
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1/4 cup dark soy sauce (for marinating)
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1 large egg, beaten
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1/2 cup cornstarch (for coating)
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1 1/2 cups chicken broth
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3/4 cup sugar
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1/2 cup soy sauce
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1/2 cup white vinegar
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3–4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, chopped
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2 cups green onions, minced
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8 small hot peppers, diced (or jalapeños)
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Additional 1/4–1/2 cup cornstarch (for sauce thickening)
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Oil for frying
Instructions
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Marinate the chicken with dark soy sauce and beaten egg. Mix well.
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Toss chicken in cornstarch until coated and let rest for 10 minutes.
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Deep fry chicken in hot oil until golden. Drain on paper towels.
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Mix sauce ingredients in a jar (broth, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, cornstarch) and shake well.
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Stir-fry onions and peppers in a hot wok with a little oil.
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Add the sauce mixture and cook until thick and bubbly.
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Add the fried chicken into the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
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Serve hot over jasmine rice or with noodles.
Notes
- Double-frying the chicken enhances crispiness.
- Swap chicken for tofu or cauliflower for a vegetarian option.
- Control the spice by adjusting the number of hot peppers.
- Add broccoli or snap peas for extra color and crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying, Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Empress Chicken, Chinese chicken recipe, spicy stir-fry, homemade takeout, garlic soy chicken, crispy chicken dinner