Description
A bold and flavorful Chinese-inspired stir-fry made with tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a sweet-spicy sauce that perfectly balances savory and spicy notes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/3 cup roasted peanuts
- 2 green onions, sliced
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Toss the diced chicken breasts with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated to ensure a crispy and flavorful texture when cooked.
- Heat the oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, to achieve the ideal cooking temperature for stir-frying.
- Cook the chicken: Add the coated chicken to the hot oil and cook, stirring frequently, until the pieces are golden brown and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned to build the flavor base.
- Add vegetables: Stir in the diced bell peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are tender-crisp, adding a fresh crunch to the dish.
- Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until fully combined to create a balanced, sweet-spicy sauce.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and pour the sauce over the mixture, stirring to coat everything evenly. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened and clings to the ingredients.
- Finish with peanuts and green onions: Stir in the roasted peanuts and sliced green onions, then remove from heat and serve immediately, ideally over steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Add dried red chilies for authentic heat if you prefer a spicier kick.
- Substitute cashews if peanuts are not available or preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
