Chicken is a versatile protein that forms the cornerstone of many cuisines around the world From juicy roast chicken to crispy fried chicken, there are endless ways to enjoy this lean and tasty meat However, there is one preparation that stands out for its bold, complex flavors and textures – amazing chicken. This Chinese chicken dish has garnered immense popularity, leaving many curious about what exactly makes it so remarkable. In this article, we will unravel the origins, ingredients, cooking techniques, and variations of amazing chicken to understand what sets it apart.
Tracing the History and Origins
Amazing chicken has its roots in Chinese cuisine, particularly the Sichuan region renowned for its signature spicy and numbing flavors. It emerged as a popular street food, with street vendors experimenting and improvising to create an umami-rich and irresistible chicken dish. While the exact origins are uncertain, amazing chicken likely evolved from other Chinese chicken preparations like kung pao chicken and general tso’s chicken. The versatility of the basic ingredients allowed vendors to develop an distinct recipe that stood out from typical Chinese chicken dishes.
Over time, amazing chicken was refined into a bold, complex medley of tastes and textures interplaying in perfect harmony. It rose to fame across China, becoming a staple menu item in restaurants and takeout joints. As Chinese food became increasingly popular in the West, so did amazing chicken. Its complex medley of sweet, spicy, savory, and mouth-numbing flavors made it an instant hit. Today, it graces menus across North America, often with western tweaks like added vegetables or new sauces. However, the soul of amazing chicken remains untouched, continuing to wow taste buds globally.
Decoding the Star Ingredients
So what gives amazing chicken its distinctive punch and complexity? The ingredients, of course! This dish is all about bringing together contrasting tastes, aromas, and textures in perfect balance. Here are some of the vital components:
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Chicken: Boneless chicken thighs or breast meat, sliced or cubed into bite-sized pieces. This provides the canvas on which the flavors are built.
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Soy sauce: An umami-rich soy sauce forms the base, imparting a savory, salty richness.
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Rice vinegar The mild acidity of rice vinegar balances out the salty soy sauce, adding a subtle zing
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Sugar: A touch of sugar rounds out flavors and adds sheen and caramelization during cooking.
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Garlic and ginger: These aromatic alliums provide a fragrant foundation with spicy, pungent notes.
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Chilies The iconic Sichuan peppercorns or dried chilies deliver that addictive mala tingle Adjust amounts to preference
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Scallions: Bright, grassy scallions offset the intensity of other flavors.
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Toasted sesame oil: Nutty sesame oil finishes the dish with a rich, heady aroma.
When these ingredients come together through deliberate spicing and cooking techniques, the result is a party of flavors in your mouth! The sweet pairs with the spicy, the cooling scallions balance the warming chilies, and the chicken soaks up all the tastes into juicy, succulent morsels. This multidimensional symphony is what makes amazing chicken extraordinary.
The Signature Cooking Method
Now that we know the main ingredients, let’s examine how they are transformed into amazing chicken through traditional Chinese cooking techniques. Here is a simplified overview of the general method:
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Velvet the chicken: Toss chicken pieces in a mix of soy sauce, oil, and cornstarch. This velvets the meat, sealing in moisture.
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Bloom aromatics: Heat oil in a wok on high heat. Cook garlic, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns/chilies to release flavors.
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Stir-fry chicken: Add chicken and stir-fry until just cooked through. The high heat keeps it juicy.
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Simmer in sauce: Add prepared sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar. Simmer to coat chicken and thicken sauce.
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Toast sesame oil: Remove from heat, mix in toasted sesame oil to finish.
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Garnish: Top with sliced scallions for color and freshness.
The quick stir-frying followed by a short simmer allows the chicken to absorb all the complex flavors while remaining moist and tender. This cooking style is the key to amazing chicken’s melt-in-your-mouth texture and robust taste.
Regional Variations to Savor
One of the beauties of amazing chicken is that basic recipe can be tweaked and localized to create diverse regional variations. Here are some to try on your flavor journey:
Sichuan Style: The birthplace of amazing chicken has the most intense seasoning with tongue-numbing Sichuan peppercorns and chilies.
Hunan Style: Features an equally fierce heat but with more dried red chilies and garlic than Sichuan versions.
Shanghai Style: A sweeter rendition with extra sugar added to the sauce and ginger.
Cantonese Style: Subtler flavors created with chicken stock and aromatic sesame oil rather than chili and peppercorns.
American Chinese Style: Adapted for Western tastes with more sauce and additions like carrots, broccoli, or pineapple.
There are so many subtle regional nuances to experience as you bite into different amazing chicken preparations. Part of the joy is discovering your favorite flavor profile.
Playing with Proteins and Pairings
While chicken is traditional, amazing chicken’s sauce also pairs beautifully with other proteins and vegetable sides. Some tasty variations include:
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Cauliflower or tofu for vegetarian/vegan versions.
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Shrimp or scallops for a luxe seafood twist.
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Thinly sliced beef or duck for a heartier meal.
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Bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli, or mushrooms for extra crunch and color.
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Steamed jasmine rice or noodles to soak up the fabulous sauce.
With the right ingredients and technique, you can turn any protein or veggie into an amazing version. Get creative and customize it to your taste!
At its core, amazing chicken is all about harmony – the harmony between tastes, textures, aromas and cooking methods. When the ingredients come together through proper technique, they transform into the ultimate chicken dish that engages all the senses. The interplay between sweet and spicy, the juxtaposition of cooling and warming, the balance between tenderness and crispness – this symphony in your mouth is what makes amazing chicken so addictive, craveable and legendary. So next time you spot it on a menu, order it without hesitation and sink your teeth into an amazing experience!
How to Make Marry Me Chicken
It’s a very easy recipe and requires less than 30 minutes of your time. So you can still make it even if a dinner date isn’t properly planned in advance as long as you have all of the ingredients.
- Chicken breast – sliced into cutlets. You literally just slice them in half to make them thinner. If you use whole chicken breasts, you’ll need to finish this off in the oven to make sure that they’re cooked through. But I like cutlets better in this recipe.
- Flour, salt, and pepper – you will dredge the chicken in flour for that lovely golden and crispy crust.
- Olive oil and butter – to brown the chicken I use olive oil and butter for flavor. You can even use the sundried tomato oil for extra flavor. That’s free flavor there!
- Garlic – because it makes everything taste better!
- Chicken or vegetable stock – I recommend using chicken stock, but if all you have available is vegetable stock then that works perfectly fine.
- Heavy cream and parmesan cheese – for a super creamy and flavorful sauce. Do not use single or light cream as it won’t thicken the sauce very well.
- Chili flakes, dried oregano, and thyme – for extra flavor.
- Sundried tomatoes – what makes this dish so special!
- Fresh basil leaves – for garnish.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Dredge the chicken in seasoned flour, and shake off any excess flour. Transfer to a plate but do not stack the chicken as they will stick to each other.
- In a heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat, heat the oil and melt the butter.
- Brown the chicken on both sides until it’s golden brown, transfer onto a warm plate, cover, and set aside.
- Saute the garlic for a minute or until it’s fragrant. Add the chicken stock, and deglaze the pan scraping any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the heavy cream and the parmesan cheese to the skillet. Allow the sauce to simmer for a couple of minutes, then season with chili flakes and oregano.
- Season with salt and pepper to your taste, add the sundried tomatoes then put the chicken back in the sauce and let the sauce simmer and thicken for a few more minutes.
- Marry Me Chicken is now ready! Just garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves and serve warm over pasta or rice.
What is Marry Me Chicken?
Now let’s talk about the name. It’s a funny name and I’m sure you agree with me. When I first heard of it, I thought, what? Who marries who and why? But it’s said that because of how amazing this recipe is, if you make it for your partner they’ll instantly fall in love with your cooking and will propose immediately because the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right? Sounds good? So let’s get cooking!
5 Steps To The Perfect Crispy Fried Chicken
FAQ
What is the most popular Chinese chicken dish?
Kung Pao chicken is one of the most popular Chinese recipes, if not the most. Tender, crunchy and spicy, this Asian chicken recipe is a whole package. Follow the recipe on Once Upon A Chef to see how to make Kung Pao Chicken at home.
What is the best meal to order from Chinese takeaway?
- Beijing Roasted Duck.
- Kung Pao Chicken.
- Sweet and Sour Pork.
- Hot Pot.
- Cantonese Dim Sum.
- Dumplings.
- Ma Po Tofu.
- Cantonese Char Siu.
How to make chicken taste amazing?
Try varying the seasonings, in addition to the salt, pepper and garlic. Lemonjuice and thyme, turmeric and chili flakes, ground cumin and tomato paste, soy sauce and ginger… Maybe add some sauces, like tomato sauce, tsatsiki, thai curry paste in coconut milk…
What is the difference between General Tso and Hunan chicken?
Hunan chicken and General Tso’s chicken are both popular American-Chinese dishes, but they differ in their preparation and flavor profiles.
What is Chinese Amazing Chicken?
Chinese Amazing Chicken is usually prepared by marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. The chicken is then stir-fried or pan-fried until it is cooked through. It is often garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
How to make Chinese Amazing Chicken?
To create Chinese Amazing Chicken, the following cooking process is typically followed: Marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic to infuse it with flavor. Heat a wok or skillet and add sesame oil to impart its characteristic aroma. Add the marinated chicken to the hot pan and cook until it is tender and golden brown.
What are some variations of Chinese Amazing Chicken?
Some popular variations of Chinese Amazing Chicken include adding vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas to the dish for added texture and flavor. Some recipes also incorporate a sweet and tangy sauce to create a different flavor profile. Was this page helpful?
What does Chinese Amazing Chicken taste like?
Chinese Amazing Chicken is known for its bold and savory flavors, often achieved through the use of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. The dish is also characterized by its tender and juicy chicken, which is achieved through proper marinating and cooking techniques. Can Chinese Amazing Chicken be made with different types of meat?
What are the ingredients in Chinese Amazing Chicken?
Chinese Amazing Chicken typically features the following key ingredients: Chicken: The star of the dish, chicken is often diced or sliced before being cooked to perfection. Soy Sauce: This rich and savory condiment adds depth of flavor to the dish. Ginger: Known for its distinctive zing, ginger brings a delightful warmth to the dish.
What goes well with Chinese Amazing Chicken?
Chinese Amazing Chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments, including: Steamed white rice for a simple and satisfying meal. Stir-fried vegetables to add a vibrant and nutritious element to the plate. Chilled cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast to the warm and savory chicken.