Scallion Chicken Recipe
This Scallion Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken pieces, fragrant garlic, ginger, and scallions, all coated in a savory sauce. It’s an easy yet flavorful dish that comes together in a short time—perfect for a weeknight meal. Served over steamed rice, it’s a satisfying and aromatic dish!
Ingredients:
2-3 chicken legs (about 1-1.5 lbs), skinless and boneless, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 bunch of scallions, white and green parts separated, sliced thinly
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, minced
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
1 tablespoon of light soy sauce
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil (vegetable or canola oil works well)
Instructions:
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by preparing the chicken. Cut the chicken legs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt, a few cracks of black pepper, the cornstarch, and a little drizzle of cooking oil. Toss everything together to evenly coat the chicken. This marinade will help tenderize the chicken and give it a light crispness when cooked. Let the chicken marinate for about 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Once the chicken is marinated, heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure the pieces brown evenly. The chicken should be golden brown and fully cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Once the oil is heated, add the white parts of the scallions, the minced garlic, and the minced ginger. Sauté these ingredients for about 1 minute, or until they become fragrant and the garlic and ginger start to soften. Be careful not to burn them, as they can turn bitter.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Now, it’s time to create the savory sauce. Add the oyster sauce and light soy sauce to the pan, followed by a splash of water (about 2-3 tablespoons). Stir everything together, scraping up any brown bits left in the pan from cooking the chicken. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 5: Combine Chicken and Sauce
Once the sauce has simmered, add the cooked chicken back into the pan. Toss the chicken in the sauce until it’s evenly coated. Add the green parts of the scallions to the pan and give everything a final toss. The green scallions will add a fresh, vibrant crunch to the dish.
Step 6: Finish with Sesame Oil
To finish off the dish, drizzle the sesame oil over the chicken and toss everything one last time. The sesame oil will add a fragrant, nutty aroma that brings everything together beautifully.
Step 7: Serve
Serve the Scallion Chicken hot over a bed of steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice. The rice will absorb the flavorful sauce, making every bite even more delicious. Enjoy!
Optional Variations:
Spicy Twist: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a few dried red chilies to the pan with the garlic and ginger in step 3. Alternatively, drizzle some chili oil over the dish just before serving for a spicy kick.
Veggie Add-ins: You can easily add extra veggies to the dish for more color and texture. Sliced bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli are great options. Add them to the pan along with the green parts of the scallions in step 5.
Crispy Chicken: For a crispier texture, lightly fry the marinated chicken pieces before sautéing. Simply heat oil in the pan and fry the chicken until crispy, then remove and set aside. Continue with step 3 and add the fried chicken back at the end.
This Scallion Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any day of the week. It’s customizable, too—feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand! Enjoy this savory meal with your favorite sides for a satisfying dinner