Pantry Raider Chicken – Asian Style
PANTRY RAIDER CHICKEN – ASIAN STYLE
THIS IS BETTER THAN FOODCOURT CHICKEN!
Well, hello guys… It’s been uhh… 5 days since my last post? The reason why I haven’t been so ‘on it’ this week is because I’ve been busy doing some other ’creative’ projects for my little creative studio, Atria. We only have so much time on our hands, and… I don’t want to just post “so so” things. What good comes out of it anyway, right? Right. I know you haven’t forgotten me 😉
So, to soothe my already guilty soul, I thought I should post a recipe that firstly I’ve been wanting to talk about and share with you. Secondly, something that you and I would find easy to prepare and make. Lastly, all the ingredients can easily be found in my (and hopefully your) pantry.
Over a week ago, I received this cookbook that I’ve been waiting to be released for awhile. Lucky Peach’s 101 Easy Asian Recipes. This book brought a smile to my face. Not only for the funny, refreshing editorial part of it, but also its hilarious photography and oh-so-tacky old world Asian design (or lack thereof.) You know, being a designer and all, this is my kinda book. It’s like a dramedy for movies. So, the first recipe I tried was the Mall Chicken. Why? Because even the name of it makes me giggle.
Of course, this book will be one of my “go to” easy recipe cookbooks. Guys, you should check it out. You’ll love it!
Now, about the Mall Chicken recipe itself, I should say if you stick with the “original” rendering, you will find a very safe, typical sticky-sweet chicken dish you find at Chinese-Asian setups in a lot of foodcourts across America. Therefore, I thought I should dial-up the flavor. Adding a little more heat (with crushed red pepper flakes,) and a dash more spice (with ground ginger.)
This is a recipe you can definitely make by yourself, in your own kitchen, just by taking stuff out of your pantry and a few minutes of cooking. Super easy. No more buying orange / sweet-and-sour / unknown bottled sauce, just because you have that foodcourt Chinese-Asian-American (let’s just say “the identity crisis” chicken) hunger pang. No more greasy, sugary sweet, sodium loaded chicken dish… well at least until your next venture to the malls.
Here’s for busy weeks and game days. For uncomplicated dinners and less trips to the mall and its food court: Pantry Raider Chicken.
Adapted from Lucky Peach 101 Easy Asian Recipes
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons less sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2½ pound a mix of boneless chicken thighs (about 5 to 6 pieces) and breasts (2 pieces), cut into 1" pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons grape seed oil
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl whisk together honey, ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ground ginger, pepper, garlic and pepper flakes (if using,) until well combined.
- Using another mixing bowl, season chicken with salt, then dust with cornstarch, toss to coat.
- Preheat a wok (or frying pan) over high heat, hover your palm over it, and when you feel the warmth, the pan is ready. Immediately add oil. Working in batches, sear the chicken until light golden brown. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss to coat. Bake for about 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and coated in bubbling, thick, sticky sauce. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
What, no more Panda Express sesame chicken!!? .. My husband and son’s go-to. Fedra, this looks just scrumptious!! Seriously, we will try this, but I’m sure it won’t be as beautiful as yours.