Garlic Chicken in Chinese Garlic Sauce
Tender pan-fried chicken breast tossed with a delicious garlic sauce makes the perfect weeknight meal! This easy garlic chicken recipe requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction. It needs simple ingredients and is made entirely in one pan!
If you’re looking for a quick and flavorful chicken dinner, you will LOVE this garlic chicken recipe!
Tips for Tender Seared Chicken
Searing chicken is a great technique to lock in the juices and develop a golden-brown crust, adding depth of flavor to your dish. Read this step-by-step guide on how to sear chicken.
- Use a wide skillet or pan
- Sear chicken pieces over medium high heat
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than searing
- Sear undisturbed or it won’t brown properly
Chinese Garlic Chicken Recipe
This is an overview of all the ingredients and steps to make garlic chicken. Refer to the recipe card below for details
Ingredients
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- Garlic: Lots of fresh garlic. Add as much as you like
- Cornstarch: Used to lightly coat the chicken and as a sauce thickener
- Vinegar: Rice vinegar is the ideal choice. White vinegar works too
- Sauce: A delicious sweet and sour sauce made with soy sauce, sugar, vinegar and chilli flakes. Add oyster sauce to further elevate the sauce
- Oil: Neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil, sunflower oil or peanut oil
- Green onions: Garnish with lots of fresh green onions/scallions/spring onions
How to Make Garlic Chicken
- Prep the chicken: Cut chicken breast or thighs into bite sized pieces. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture
- Season the chicken: Coat the chicken pieces with 1/2 tsp salt, black pepper, vinegar and 2 tbsp cornstarch. Set aside for 15 minutes
- Prep the sauce: Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. This makes it easier while cooking
- Sear the chicken: On medium high flame, layer the chicken pieces without overcrowding the pan. This will prevent the chicken from releasing water and will keep it crisp on the outside. Fry until golden brown and cooked through on both sides
- Make the garlic sauce: Sauté garlic until lightly golden. Add in the sauce and simmer for 2 minutes
- Thicken the sauce (optional): For additional sauce/gravy add 1/2 cup water mixed with 1 tbsp cornastarch. This will add more body to the sauce
- Add the seared chicken: Add seared chicken to the garlic sauce and simmer for 1 minute
- Garnish: Garnish with scallions/spring onions/green onions. Serve with hot rice and sautéed vegetables
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Substitutes
Vinegar: Lime juice, lemon juice or cooking wine
Oyster sauce: Vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin sauce works well. If unavailable, use 1/2 tsp soy sauce + 1/2 tsp sugar
Soy sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos
Sugar: Honey or maple syrup
Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder, tapioca starch or potato starch. This might affect the flavor of the sauce a bit
Chilli flakes: 1/2 tsp fresh red chillies or chilli sauce
FAQ
What is garlic chicken made of?
Garlic chicken is a combination of tender pan-fried chicken tossed with an asian style garlic sauce. Boneless chicken breast or chicken thighs are the best cuts to use in this dish.
What is chinese garlic sauce made of?
Asian garlic sauce is a combination of fresh garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, vinegar and chilli flakes. You can further elevate it by adding hoisin sauce and chicken broth
Chinese Garlic Chicken Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb/450g Chicken breast or thighs (boneless, skinless)
- 6-8 garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp vinegar (rice vinegar)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 scallions/spring onions/green onions
Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (light or regular)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- 2 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes
Extra Sauce (optional)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
- Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces. Coat them in 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp vinegar and 2 tbsp cornstarch. Set it aside for 15 minutes
- Mince the garlic cloves and thinly slice green onions
- Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. This makes it easy while cooking
Sear the Chicken
- On medium high flame, layer the chicken pieces without crowding the pan. This way the chicken won't release moisture and will turn crisp on the outside.
- Fry the chicken until golden brown and cooked through. It should take about 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside once done
Make the Sauce
- Reduce the flame to low and sauté minced garlic until golden
- Pour in the sauce and simmer for 2 minutes
- (Optional) Add cornstarch slurry of 1/2 cup water+1 tbsp cornstarch and mix well. Cook until the sauce thickens
- Taste and adjust the sauce as needed
- Add the fried chicken and mix well. Simmer for 2 minutes
- Garnish with scallions/spring onions. Serve with hot rice and vegetables of your choice
NOTES
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan while searing the chicken
- Use chicken broth in place of water for added flavor
- Have all the ingredients prepped and ready to prevent burning or overcooking
- Don’t overcook the chicken or it will turn dry and rubbery
Substitutes
- Vinegar: Lime juice, lemon juice or cooking wine
- Oyster sauce: Vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin sauce works well. If unavailable, use 1/2 tsp soy sauce + 1/2 tsp sugar
- Soy sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos
- Sugar: Honey or maple syrup
- Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder, tapioca starch or potato starch. This might affect the flavor of the sauce a bit
- Chilli flakes: 1/2 tsp fresh red chillies or chilli sauce
