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Empress Chicken

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  • Author: Molly Yeh
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Description

Empress Chicken is a bold and flavorful Chinese-American dish that’s sweet, tangy, and just a little spicy. Crispy fried chicken is coated in a thick, sticky sauce made with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and chili for a meal that’s perfect over steamed rice or noodles.


Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 1/2 cup cornstarch

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar

  • 3 tbsp hoisin sauce

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 2 tsp sesame oil

  • 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for slurry)

Optional Garnish:

  • Sesame seeds

  • Sliced green onions


Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces in cornstarch until evenly coated.

  2. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and beaten eggs into a thick batter. Dip each cornstarch-coated chicken piece into the batter.

  3. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

  4. In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, garlic, ginger, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

  5. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens.

  6. Toss the fried chicken in the sauce until well coated.

  7. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles.


Notes

  • Chicken breast can be used instead of thighs if preferred.

  • Adjust chili garlic sauce for more or less heat.

  • For extra crunch, double-fry the chicken.

  • Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
  • Calories: 540
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 980mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 33g
  • Cholesterol: 155mg