Makes 4 to 6 servings
This crispy tangerine chicken brings together golden fried chicken bites, tender vegetables, and a bright, tangy-sweet garlic sauce. Fragrant tangerine peel and a touch of chili give the dish a lively, restaurant-style flavor that’s easy to achieve at home
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon minced garlic (about 1 clove)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
Coating & Frying
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Stir-Fry
- 1 tablespoon peanut (or vegetable) oil
- 1/2 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic (about 1 clove)
- 1 tablespoon minced green onion (white and green parts)
- 2 teaspoons finely minced tangerine or orange peel
- 1 teaspoon chopped dried red chili (or to taste)
- 3 oz (about 1/2 cup) mushrooms, quartered
- 1/2 small red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup small broccoli florets, blanched
Sweet Garlic Sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 1 clove)
- 1 teaspoon minced green onion
- 1/2 teaspoon chili bean paste (optional)
- 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water
Directions
- Mix the soy sauce, garlic, salt, and white pepper. Toss the chicken to coat and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk egg, water, and cornstarch to make a smooth batter. Toss chicken pieces in the batter.
- Heat vegetable oil to 350°F in a heavy pot. Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
- For the garlic sauce, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the ginger, garlic, and green onion until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Stir in the bean paste (if using) and cook for an additional 15 seconds.
- Add the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, rice vinegar, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Stir in the sugar and sesame oil.
- Slowly add the cornstarch slurry while stirring until slightly thickened. Set aside.
- In a wok or large skillet, heat the peanut oil over medium-high. Stir-fry the ginger, garlic, green onion, tangerine peel, and chili until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the red pepper and cook 1 minute more. Stir in the broccoli and cook until all the vegetables are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Add the fried chicken to the pan and pour in the sweet garlic sauce. Stir-fry until the chicken is coated and heated through, about 2 minutes.