There’s something truly special about sharing Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe with family and friends. Imagine silky, tender steamed chicken lavished with fiery-hot scallion oil and fragrant ginger—it’s a weeknight comfort dish and a celebration centerpiece all in one. Whether you serve it warm over fluffy rice or let it shine as a cool appetizer, this easy, classic recipe delivers absolute flavor magic. If you’re ready to wow taste buds and make memories, you need this dish at the top of your list!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Uncomplicated ingredients, but each one is indispensable—every piece adds its own burst of aroma, punch of freshness, or savory depth to Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. Let’s look at why each is so important before you tie on your apron.
- Chicken thighs (or breasts): Dark meat stays ultra-juicy, but breasts work too for a lighter option.
- Soy sauce: Adds that irresistible savory, umami backbone.
- Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry): A dash of this brings subtle depth, like secret restaurant magic.
- Salt: Brightens all the flavors, especially against the zippy scallion oil.
- White pepper: Offers gentle heat and peppery warmth—very classic in Chinese cuisine.
- Scallions (green onions): Sliced for steaming and sizzling for sauce—totally essential for the iconic flavor and look.
- Fresh ginger: Lends sharpness, freshness, and a hint of warmth in every bite.
- Vegetable oil: Helps conduct heat evenly in the steamer.
- Sesame oil: Just a drizzle gives nutty aroma and authentic depth.
- Neutral oil (for sauce): Canola or avocado oils work best—they don’t compete with the stars of the show.
- Extra scallions and ginger (for sauce): When bathed in hot oil, they turn into a flavor-packed magic condiment you’ll spoon on everything.
How to Make Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by mixing the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, salt, and a light dusting of white pepper together in a roomy bowl. Add the chicken thighs (or breasts), gently massaging to coat every surface in that savory goodness. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes—this infuses subtle flavor and helps the meat stay incredibly tender during steaming. If you have extra time, letting it sit up to an hour is even better!
Step 2: Set Up for Steaming
Scatter the sliced scallions and fresh ginger in a large, shallow, heatproof dish—something that fits comfortably in your steamer basket. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces right on top, nestling them among the aromatics. Drizzle with vegetable oil and a hint of sesame oil for an extra sheen and fragrance. Setting up this way infuses the chicken as it cooks, making every bite deeply scented and succulent.
Step 3: Steam Until Perfectly Tender
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and place your steamer insert on top, making sure the chicken dish sits level. Carefully lower the prepared chicken into the steamer, cover, and let it gently cook for 18 to 22 minutes. (If you’re using breasts, check after 15 minutes for doneness.) When the chicken is completely cooked through and deliciously tender, remove the dish and let it rest 5 minutes before slicing. This pause ensures maximum juiciness and clean slicing.
Step 4: Prepare the Scallion Oil Sauce
While the chicken is resting, work on the star sauce! In a heatproof bowl, combine the finely chopped scallions, grated ginger, and salt. Meanwhile, heat the neutral oil in a small saucepan until it’s shimmering hot but not smoking. Then, in a swift motion, pour the oil over the scallion mixture. Stand back—the sizzling will unleash an insane aroma and the scallions will turn vivid green. Stir gently and set aside.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Slice the rested chicken into neat strips and arrange on a serving platter. Generously spoon the scallion oil sauce over the top, letting it mingle with the juicy meat and infuse every bite. Serve warm with plenty of steamed rice or simple noodles, making sure to drizzle over extra scallion oil for maximum flavor impact. Now, sit back and wait for the delighted “oohs and aahs”!
How to Serve Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Garnishes
Finish your Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe with a final flourish of finely sliced fresh scallions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. For extra color and crunch, try a few slivers of red chili or a dusting of crispy shallots. Each garnish brightens the plate and adds texture to every bite.
Side Dishes
This chicken sings when paired with fragrant jasmine rice or delicate steamed noodles, creating a comforting base that soaks up the scallion oil. Complement it further with simply sautéed greens like bok choy or Chinese broccoli, or offer a refreshing cucumber salad to balance the richness of the sauce. The beauty of Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe is its adaptability to whatever you love most.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve family-style on a big platter for sharing, or make elegant individual bowls layered with rice and sliced chicken. For parties, pile the chicken onto baby lettuce leaves and drizzle with sauce for a modern twist. Leftover scallion oil is your secret ingredient—use it to top dumplings, stir into soup, or spoon onto eggs for a busy weekday breakfast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe keeps beautifully. Store the chicken and scallion oil separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. This way, the chicken remains moist and the fragrant oil stays ultra-fresh for whenever you crave a quick flavor boost.
Freezing
If you want to plan ahead, freeze the cooked chicken (without sauce) in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and make a fresh batch of scallion oil sauce for the best taste and texture when you’re ready to eat.
Reheating
To reheat, gently steam or microwave the chicken just until heated through—steaming helps retain that tender juiciness. Warm the scallion oil sauce for a few seconds in the microwave or in a pan and drizzle liberally over the chicken before serving. Avoid high heat, which can dry out the chicken or dull the scallion oil’s vibrant flavor.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work wonderfully for Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe—just be sure to reduce the steaming time slightly to keep the meat juicy and tender. Monitor as it steams and remove as soon as it’s cooked through.
What if I don’t have a steamer?
No steamer? No problem! Place a heatproof plate atop an upside-down heatproof bowl in a large pot, then add a bit of water underneath and cover to trap the steam. This quick DIY setup works just as well for steaming the chicken without special equipment.
Can I make the scallion oil in advance?
Yes! The scallion oil sauce can be made up to three days ahead and stored in the fridge. Its flavor deepens over time, and it’s fantastic drizzled not only over chicken, but also noodles, steamed veggies, or even fried eggs.
Is there a gluten-free version?
Simply swap the soy sauce for tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce to make Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe totally gluten-free. All the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so everyone can indulge!
How do I keep the chicken from drying out?
The key is not to over-steam—aim for just-cooked, and let it rest before slicing. Using chicken thighs helps with juiciness too. If using breasts, steam until just opaque and slice while still warm for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a dish that’s comforting, show-stopping, and incredibly simple, you must try Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. With layers of flavor and an oh-so-easy process, it’s destined to become a kitchen favorite. Gather those scallions and dive in—your taste buds will thank you!
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Chinese Scallion Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Chinese Scallion Chicken recipe offers a flavorful and aromatic dish that combines tender steamed chicken with a fragrant scallion oil sauce. Perfectly balanced and easy to make, this ultimate chicken recipe is a must-try for any Chinese cuisine enthusiast.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 4–5 scallions, sliced into 2-inch pieces
- 4 slices fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Scallion Oil Sauce:
- 6 scallions, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup neutral oil like canola or avocado
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, salt, and white pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 20 minutes.
- Prepare the Steamer: Place sliced scallions and ginger in a heatproof bowl. Arrange marinated chicken on top. Steam for 18–22 minutes until fully cooked.
- Make the Scallion Oil Sauce: Heat neutral oil until hot, then pour over chopped scallions, ginger, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Serve: Drizzle scallion oil sauce over sliced chicken. Serve warm with rice or noodles. Garnish with extra scallions if desired.
Notes
- This dish can be served cold or at room temperature as an appetizer.
- Reduce steaming time slightly for chicken breasts to avoid overcooking.
- Leftover scallion oil is great on rice, dumplings, or eggs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
