Ingredients
For Marinating the Chicken
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bit-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For the Dry Chicken Chili
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar optional
- 1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp arrowroot powder mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Green onions chopped, for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, garlic powder, ginger powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook until they are browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir-fry for a minute or until fragrant.
- Add sliced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion. Cook, stirring constantly, until the vegetables are tender yet crisp.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Stir in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Pour the arrowroot-water mixture into the pan to thicken the sauce. Stir quickly to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly. Cook for an additional minute until the sauce thickens.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add more red pepper flakes at this point.
- Transfer the Chinese Dry Chicken Chili to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
You can also make this recipe into a Trim Healthy Mama E meal by using chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs and adding a complex carb source, like brown rice or quinoa. Look for gluten-free and sugar-free sauces for the marinade and omit the sugar. Your marinade will still turn out fabulous without it.