Ask 30 people how to make this simple Taiwanese recipe, and you’ll receive 30 different responses Some fry the chicken before braising it, use more oil, less wine, different blends of soy sauce Debates rage over how thick the sauce should be, over which parts of the chicken to use
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 2-to-3-inch piece of ginger peeled and sliced into coins, approximately 12
- 12 cloves of garlic peeled
- 4 whole scallions trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 dried red peppers or 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
- 2 lb chicken thighs boneless or bone-in, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tbsp unrefined or light brown sugar
- 1/2 c rice wine
- 1/4 c light soy sauce
- 2 c fresh Thai basil leaves or regular basil leaves
Instructions
Heat a wok over high heat and add 2 tablespoons sesame oil. When the oil shimmers, add the ginger, garlic, scallions and peppers, and cook until fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
Scrape the aromatics to the sides of the wok, add remaining oil and allow to heat through. Add the chicken, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and crisping at the edges, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
Add sugar and stir to combine, then add the rice wine and soy sauce, and bring just to a boil. Lower the heat, then simmer until the sauce has reduced and started to thicken, approximately 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat, add the basil and stir to combine. Serve with white rice.