Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey to Sichuan Province, China, where the vibrant flavors of Colorful Hot and Sour Chicken come to life. This classic dish is a symphony of textures and tastes, featuring tender chicken morsels coated in a crispy batter, bathed in a luscious sauce that strikes a perfect balance between heat and sourness. The vibrant colors of the dish, derived from an array of bell peppers, carrots, and scallions, add a visual feast to the already tantalizing experience.
This recipe guide will take you step-by-step through the process of creating this mouthwatering dish, ensuring that you can recreate the authentic flavors of Sichuan Province right in your own kitchen. From preparing the signature sauce to perfecting the crispy chicken coating, all the secrets to this culinary masterpiece will be revealed.
In addition to the classic Colorful Hot and Sour Chicken recipe, this article also offers variations to cater to different preferences and dietary restrictions. Explore a vegetarian version that replaces chicken with tofu, maintaining the same explosion of flavors. For those seeking a spicier kick, discover the secrets to creating a fiery sauce that will set your taste buds ablaze.
Whether you are a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventure, this comprehensive guide will equip you with all the knowledge and techniques you need to prepare this iconic dish. So, gather your ingredients, heat up your wok, and embark on a journey to Sichuan Province, where the flavors of Colorful Hot and Sour Chicken await.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
Sweet and sour chicken with pineapple, peppers, and onion. An easy, healthy homemade version of the crispy sweet and sour chicken you love!
Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated
Categories Dinner Main Course
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Prepare the chicken and marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken and stir to evenly combine. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prep the rest of the recipe or (in an ideal world where time allows) refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Let come to room temperature prior to proceeding with the recipe.
- While the chicken marinades, prepare the sweet and sour sauce: In a large bowl, combine the pineapple juice, rice vinegar, honey, tomato paste, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sambal oelek, cornstarch, and allspice. Stir until evenly combined.
- Prep the veggies: core the bell peppers and cut into 1-inch chunks. Cut the yellow onion into 1-inch chunks. Drain any extra juice away from the canned pineapple chunks.
- When ready to stir fry, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large, sturdy nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Scatter on the chicken pieces in a single layer (discard any excess marinade). Stir fry until the chicken is cooked through, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove to a plate.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil and increase the heat to high. Once the oil is very hot and shimmering, add the bell peppers, onion, and pineapple. Stir fry until the vegetables are crisp-tender and lightly charred in a few places, about 7 minutes. Sure periodically, but don't disturb the vegetables too much so that they brown.
- Reduce the heat to medium high. Return the chicken to the skillet along with any juices that have collected. Pour the sauce over the top, then stir to coat the vegetables and chicken. Let cook until the sauce is thickened and glossy and everything looks saucy and delicious. Serve over brown rice with a generous amount of the sauce and sprinkled with green onion.
Nutrition Facts : TransFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 (of 4), without rice, Calories 568 kcal, Carbohydrate 41 g, Protein 30 g, Fat 32 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Cholesterol 167 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 32 g, UnsaturatedFat 21 g
COLORFUL HOT AND SOUR CHICKEN
Semi-authentic Chinese dish that my BF and I love! With all the colorful vegetables, this makes a pretty dish.
Provided by WaterMelon
Categories Chicken Thigh & Leg
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Stir cornstarch into slightly beaten egg until well combined
- Add chicken pieces, stir to coat
- Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat until just below smoking
- Shallow-fry the coated chicken in several batches until golden brown, turning if necessary, then remove to drain on absorbent papers
- Leave about 2 tsp hot oil in the wok, stir fry ginger and chilli for 30sec, until fragrant
- Add onion slices, continue to saute another 1-2mins, until onions are soft
- Add garlic and stir fry for another minute
- Add the carrot matchsticks, continue to cook until they're semi-tender
- Stir in chicken pieces and saute for 1 minute
- Add in the sauce mixture, adding chicken stock/water when necessary, depending how much sauce you like
- Finally, add the green pepper and shitake mushrooms and cook for another minute
- If you feel that the sauce is too thick, add more stock or water; if too thin, thicken with cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 TB cold water)
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and/or sliced green onions before serving with jasmine rice
QUICK & EASY HOT-AND-SOUR CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Keep tasting the broth and add as much chilli and rice vinegar as you like to get the right balance of flavours
Provided by Ching-He Huang
Categories Dinner, Main course, Soup
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a small pan of water to the boil and cook the noodles following pack instructions. Drain, rinse under cold running water to stop them cooking further, then drizzle over a little oil to prevent them sticking together. Divide between 2 deep bowls.
- Heat a wok over high heat and add the rest of the oil. When it starts to smoke, add the ginger and chilli, then stir-fry for a few secs. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 2 mins. As the meat starts to turn brown, add the rice wine and cook for 3 mins more. Add the vegetable stock, bring to a simmer, then add the mushrooms. Season with the dark soy, light soy and rice vinegar.
- Bring back to a simmer, then add the cornflour paste. Simmer and stir until thickened. Stir in the beansprouts and most of the spring onions, then ladle the soup over the noodles. Serve immediately, scattered with the remaining spring onions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 407 calories, Fat 12 grams fat, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 33 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 42 grams protein, Sodium 5.1 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better your dish will taste. Look for fresh vegetables, lean meats, and flavorful spices.
- Don't be afraid to experiment: This recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to adjust it to your own taste. Try using different vegetables, meats, or spices. You might just create a new favorite dish!
- Serve immediately: This dish is best served hot and fresh. The vegetables will start to wilt and the sauce will thicken if it sits for too long.
Conclusion:
This colorful hot and sour chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is packed with flavor and nutrition, and it is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy recipe, give this one a try!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#60-minutes-or-less #time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #cuisine #preparation #occasion #main-dish #poultry #vegetables #asian #chinese #chicken #dietary #spicy #stir-fry #mushrooms #meat #chicken-thighs-legs #peppers #taste-mood #technique
You'll also love