Description
Scallion chicken brings tender, juicy meat seasoned with aromatic green onions straight from a classic Chinese kitchen. Families have been savoring this simple yet delicious dish for generations, making your dinner table feel like a warm, welcoming celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings and Sauces:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
Garnish and Herbs:
- 5 scallions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a medium bowl until smooth. Submerge 4 chicken breasts completely in the marinade, ensuring every surface gets coated. Refrigerate for exactly 15 minutes.
- Finely chop 5 scallions, mince 2 garlic cloves, and grate 1 tablespoon fresh ginger while chicken marinates.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until surface shimmers, approximately 2 minutes.
- Transfer chicken directly from marinade into hot skillet. Cook for 6 minutes on first side until golden brown, monitoring heat to prevent burning.
- Flip chicken breasts carefully. Cook additional 5-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, checking with meat thermometer.
- Scatter minced garlic, ginger, and half the chopped scallions around chicken pieces. Sauté ingredients for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour remaining marinade into skillet, allowing sauce to bubble and thicken for 1-2 minutes. Shake pan gently to distribute liquid evenly.
- Remove skillet from heat. Let chicken rest 3 minutes to redistribute internal juices. Slice against grain into diagonal strips.
- Garnish with remaining scallions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or quick-cooking noodles.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor depth and tenderize the meat thoroughly.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F, preventing overcooking while guaranteeing food safety.
- Cut scallions at an angle for a more professional presentation and to release more aromatic oils during cooking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and use cornstarch-coated chicken to maintain the recipe’s authentic texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg