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Chicken & Bean Sprouts

Chicken & Bean Sprouts

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Yield: 2 Servings

Woks of Life

Chicken and Bean Sprouts is a classic Chinese stir-fry dish and is a refreshing, and easy-to-make stir fry made with chicken breast and crunchy bean sprouts.

Chicken marinade:

  • 8oz chicken thighs (or chicken breast, cut into thin strips)
  • 1TBS water
  • 1tsp vegetable oil
  • ½tsp soy sauce
  • 1tsp cornstarch

Rest of the dish:

  • 1lb fresh mung bean sprouts
  • 4scallions (cut in half lengthwise, and then into 2-inch pieces, white and green parts separated)
  • 2cloves garlic (minced)
  • 5shiitake mushrooms (fresh or dried/reconstituted, sliced)
  • 3TBS vegetable oil (divided)
  • 2tsp Shaoxing wine
  • 2tsp oyster sauce
  • ¾tsp salt
  • ¼tsp sesame oil
  • ⅛tsp ground white pepper
  • ¼tsp MSG (optional, really gives that extra restaurant flavor)
  • 1tsp cornstarch (dissolved in 2 tsp water)


For the chicken:

Mix 1 TBS of water with the strips of chicken until the water has been completely absorbed by the meat. Add the oil, soy sauce, and cornstarch, and mix until well combined. Set aside for 20 minutes.

For the mung bean sprouts:

Next, wash the mung bean sprouts in a large bowl of cold water, leaving the bean sprouts in the water for two to three minutes so they are rehydrated. This step not only washes the sprouts but also allows them to absorb some of that cold water to regain their freshness and crunch. Transfer them to a colander, setting them over a bowl or the sink to let the excess water drain completely. The root portion of the bean sprout can be a bit stringy and unpleasant, and some folks do pinch it off–but a word of caution that it is a lot of work, so we usually settle for a good couple of rinses in cold water.

For the other vegetables:

Finally, prepare the other ingredients–namely the scallions, garlic, and mushrooms. Cooking this dish quickly is important, so your bean sprouts don’t turn to mush. If you’re not great at adding quick measurements of spices, oils, and sauces, it’s best if you have all those ingredients prepped and measured in advance, in addition to the fresh ingredients.

Stir Fry:

Heat your wok on high heat until it just starts to smoke and spread 2 TBS of oil around the perimeter of the wok. Add the chicken and use your spatula to spread the meat evenly across the wok. Sear for another 20 seconds (i.e., without mixing the chicken around), stir fry for another 20 seconds, and transfer the chicken to a bowl.

Add another TBS of oil to the wok, along with the mushrooms and the white portions of the scallions. Stir fry for 10 seconds and add the garlic. You should have the wok at the highest heat you can muster at this point!

Next, add the mung bean sprouts and stir fry everything together. Spread the Shaoxing wine around the perimeter of the wok and give everything another quick stir. Then add the oyster sauce, salt, sesame oil, white pepper, and MSG, if using.

Add the chicken back to the wok, along with any liquid in the bowl, and the green portions of the scallions. Again, the burner should be at maximum heat at this point!

Stir-fry for another 10 seconds until everything is well combined, making sure to spread the mixture around the sides of the wok to get that Wok Hei sear and flavor. There will be some liquid in the wok and when that is bubbling, stir in the cornstarch and water mixture.

Stir fry for another 15 seconds or so, until the mung bean sprouts are just starting to turn transparent. Serve!

Chicken with Garlic Sauce

Chicken with Garlic Sauce

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Yield: 2 to 4 Servings

Sue & Gambo

Slightly spicy chicken with garlic sauce stir-fry recipe.

  • Chicken and Marinade
  • 1lb of chicken breast and/or thighs sliced
  • 1pinch of salt
  • 1pinch of white pepper
  • 1egg
  • 4TBS of corn starch
  • 1-2TBS oil

Vegetables

  • 1cup sliced mushrooms
  • ½cup sliced white onions
  • ½cup sliced red, green and/or orange peppers
  • ½cup of celery, 2-inch pieces, split into narrow strips.
  • ½cup of sliced Black Fungus (wood ear mushrooms) cut into thin strips
  • ⅓cup green onions chopped into 2-inch pieces
  • 1-2TBS oil
  • 1tsp minced garlic
  • 1tsp sliced ginger
  • ¼tsp crushed red pepper

Premix sauce:

  • 1TBS of white vinegar
  • 2TBS of cooking sherry wine
  • 1TBS of oyster sauce
  • 1TBS of sugar
  • ½TBS sesame seed oil
  • ½TBS of Koon Chun double black soy sauce
  • 4TBS of water

Marinate the chicken

Add pinch of salt, pinch of white pepper, 1 egg with the 12 oz of chicken. Mix well.

Add around 3 TBS of corn starch to the chicken. Mix again.

Lastly around 1 to 2 TBS of oil to the chicken and mix again.

Premix sauce:

Mix 1 TBS oyster sauce, 1 TBS sugar, ½ TBS sesame seed oil, ½ TBS double black soy sauce, and 2 TBS of water.

Slurry:

Mix 2 TBS of water with 1 TBS of corn starch as a thickening agent for the sauce.

Boil the vegetables

Boil the celery, wood ear mushrooms, green peppers, and mushrooms for 4-5 minutes

Set the cooked vegetables aside.

Cook the chicken

Add some oil to the wok and then cook the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through. After it’s cooked, set the chicken aside in a bowl.

Stir fry

Add some oil to the wok and then minced garlic, sliced ginger and crushed red pepper.

Stir for a few seconds and next add the cooked vegetables and stir fry. After a minute add a TBS of white vinegar and a TBS of Shaoxing wine. Stir through. Add premix sauce.

Add slurry a little bit at a time until the sauce is to your preferred thickness.

Lastly add the chicken and the chopped green onions and stir for a minute or two.

Serve.

Szechuan Chicken

Szechuan Chicken

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Yield: 2 Servings

Scott Nowell

Maybe not authentic, but it varies so much it’s impossible to know what is.

Chicken:

  • 2oz boneless skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables:

  • ½onion, chopped 1-inch pieces
  • ½lb button mushrooms, sliced
  • ¼cup carrot, sliced ⅛-inch-thick on diagonal or matchsticks
  • 1zucchini, quartered and sliced ½ inch thick
  • ½cup celery sliced diagonally lengthwise to match sticks
  • ½cup bamboo shoots sliced to match sticks (optional)
  • ½cup water chestnuts, sliced (optional)
  • 2cloves garlic, minced
  • equal amount of ginger minced
  • 4-8dried Szechuan peppers
  • 1TBS vegetable oil

Sauce:

  • 1cup chicken stock
  • 1TBS corn starch
  • 2tsp soy sauce
  • ¼cup Hoisin sauce

Velvet the Chicken:

Slice breasts in half or thirds, length wise to make thin cutlets. Slice cutlets on diagonal into ⅛ to ¼ inch thick slices. In a bowl add sliced chicken, salt, egg white, white pepper, sesame seed oil, 1½ TBS of corn starch and 1 TBS of oil. Mix everything together well. Marinate for 15 minutes.

Premix sauce:

In a small bowl, mix 1 TBS corn starch into 1 cup chicken stock with 2 tsp soy sauce and ¼ cup hoisin sauce. Whisk to combine. Set aside.

Stir fry:

Heat 2 tsp oil in wok until starting to smoke. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 15 seconds and add the chicken. Stir fry until cooked through. Remove to bowl.

Heat 2 tsp oil in wok and add Szechuan peppers. Stir fry 30 seconds. Add vegetables and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until starting to soften. Remove to bowl with chicken.

Sauce & finish:

Add premix sauce into wok, stir and bring to a boil and cook until thickened.

Return chicken and vegetables to wok and mix with sauce until heated through and sauce boils.

Adjust seasoning with additional soy, hoisin as needed.

Remove from heat, serve.

Chili’s Cajun Pasta CC

Chili’s Cajun Pasta CC

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Yield: 2

Heavily adapted from the Recipe Critic

A Chili’s favorite. Their new Ultimate version has grilled chicken, shrimp, penne in Alfredo sauce, topped with chili spices, shredded Parmesan, tomatoes, green onions. Served with garlic toast.

  • 1boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1221-25 shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1tsp Cajun seasoning, divided (recipe follows)
  • 2TBS butter
  • 1TBS cooking oil
  • 1½cups heavy cream
  • ¼tsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • ½tsp salt
  • ½tsp black pepper
  • ¼tsp garlic powder
  • 6oz penne pasta
  • 1Roma tomato, seeded and diced
  • ¼cup parmesan cheese fresh shredded, to taste
  • 1green onions, cut into ¼-inch lengths

Pasta:

Bring one gallon of water to boil in a large pot. Add 1 TBS salt and penne. Cook until just al dente, a minute or two less than manufacturer’s directions. Drain and set aside.

Chicken:

Slice the chicken into bite sized pieces about 1/4-inch thick. Put the chicken in a large resealable bag. Add ½ tsp Cajun seasoning and shake to coat thoroughly.

In a large skillet, melt the ½ TBS of butter ½ TBS oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and turn when needed. Make sure to check with a knife to make sure it is no longer pink. Remove to a cutting board. Wipe out pan.

Shrimp:

Season the shrimp with ½ tsp Cajun seasoning. Toss to mix. In the same pan used for the chicken, heat ½ TBS oil and add shrimp. Sauté until almost done.

Sauce:

In the large pan used for the pasta, combine the heavy cream, 1 TBS butter, lemon pepper, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. When the cream mixture just starts to bubble, add the pasta, mix and cook until the pasta is done. Remove from pan from heat.

Assembly and finish:

Add the chicken, shrimp, and diced tomato into the pasta. Mix well to combine.

Transfer to a serving dish and top, green onions and parmesan.

Serve with a side of Texas garlic toast.

Tips:

Thicken or thin the sauce if necessary.

Cajun Seasoning

Yield: 1 PKT, 4½ tsp

1½ tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp cayenne
½ tsp salt

Italian Chicken Over Lemony Spaghetti

Italian Chicken Over Lemony Spaghetti

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Serves: 2

Italian-spiced chicken, tender zucchini, and al dente spaghetti all coated in a creamy, cheesy, lemon-spiked sauce.

  • 1zucchini
  • 1clove garlic, minced
  • 1lemon
  • 6oz spaghetti
  • 26 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1TBS Italian seasoning
  • 1tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2tsp Better Than Bouillon chicken
  • 2TBS sour cream
  • ¼cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2tsp olive oil
  • 2tsp cooking oil
  • 1TBS butter

Prep:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Trim and quarter zucchini lengthwise, cut crosswise into ½-inch-thick pieces.
Peel and mince garlic.
Zest and quarter lemon.
Cook pasta:
Once water is boiling, add spaghetti to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 7-10 minutes.
Note: Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.

Zucchini:
While pasta cooks, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large, preferably nonstick, pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and softened, 4-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Turn off heat, transfer to a plate. Wipe out pan.

Cook chicken:
Meanwhile, pat chicken dry with paper towels and season all over with Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Once zucchini is done, heat a large drizzle of oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through (165°F), 3-5 minutes per side.
Turn off heat, transfer to a cutting board to rest.
Once cool enough to handle, slice chicken crosswise.

Make sauce:
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in pot used for spaghetti over medium-high heat.
Add garlic, half the lemon zest, and a pinch of chili flakes. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 20-30 seconds.
Stir in ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water, BTB chicken, and juice from two lemon wedges.
Simmer until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat.


Finish & serve:
Add drained spaghetti, zucchini, sour cream, and 1 TBS butter to pot with sauce, toss to coat.
Add half the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
Stir in more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until spaghetti is coated in a creamy sauce.
Divide pasta between bowls. Top with chicken, remaining Parmesan, remaining lemon zest, and a pinch of chili flakes if desired. Serve with any remaining lemon.

Apricot-Sumac Chicken

Apricot-Sumac Chicken

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with Roasted Veggies, Lemony Bulgur & Almonds
Yield: 2

Tasty and simple. Sumac has a nice lemony flavor. Bulgur wheat? A lot like brown rice.

  • 1zucchini
  • 1lemon
  • ½cup bulgur wheat
  • 1tsp sumac
  • 1yellow onion
  • 1garlic clove
  • 1tsp chili powder
  • 2tsp better than bouillon chicken (BTB)
  • 25 oz chicken cutlets
  • 1apricot jam
  • ½oz sliced almonds
  • 4tsp cooking oil
  • 1TBS butter

Prep:

Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 450°F. Wash and dry produce.

Trim and halve zucchini lengthwise, slice crosswise into ½-inch-thick half- moons. Halve, peel, and cut onion into ½-inch-thick wedges. Peel and mince or grate garlic. Zest and quarter lemon.

Roast veggies:

Toss zucchini and onion on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

Roast on top rack, tossing halfway through, until tender and browned, 14-16 minutes.

Cook bulgur:

While veggies roast, heat a drizzle of oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add half the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds.

Stir in bulgur, 1 tsp BTB chicken, 1 cup water, and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until water has absorbed, and bulgur is tender, 12-15 minutes.

Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

HFA

Cook chicken:

Meanwhile, pat chicken dry with paper towels, season all over with salt and pepper.

Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken, cook until browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes per side. Lower heat if chicken begins to brown too quickly.

Turn off heat, transfer chicken to a plate to rest. Wipe out pan.

Make sauce:

Heat a drizzle of oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add remaining garlic, cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds.

Stir in jam, 1 tsp BTB chicken, and ½ cup water. Simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes.

Reduce heat to low. Stir in sumac, 1 TBS butter, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Finish & serve:

Return chicken (and any resting juices) to pan with sauce, turn to coat. Transfer chicken to a cutting board, thinly slice crosswise.

Drain any excess water from bulgur, if necessary, fluff with a fork. Stir in lemon zest and a big squeeze of lemon juice, season with salt and pepper. Add half the veggies to pot with bulgur and stir to combine.

Divide bulgur mixture between bowls, top with chicken and remaining veggies. Spoon any remaining sauce from pan over chicken. Garnish with almonds and serve.

Balsamic Fig Chicken

Balsamic Fig Chicken

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with Roasted Potatoes & Mixed Greens

Yield: 2 Servings

The fig jam adds a delicious fruity sweetness to the chicken.

  • 24oz potatoes
  • 1lemon
  • 1fig jam
  • 1shallot
  • ¼oz rosemary
  • 25-6 oz chicken cutlets
  • 5tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2tsp better than bouillon chicken (BTB)
  • 2oz mixed greens
  • 4tsp olive oil
  • 1TBS butter

Roast potatoes:

Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 450°F.

Wash and dry produce.

Dice potatoes into ½-inch pieces. Toss on a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Roast on top rack, tossing halfway through, until browned and tender, 20-25 minutes.

Prep:

While potatoes roast, halve, peel, and mince shallot.

Strip 1 tsp rosemary leaves from stems, finely chop leaves.

Halve lemon.

Cook chicken:

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season all over with salt and pepper.

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.

Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through (155°F), 3-5 minutes per side.

Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Lower heat to medium.

Make sauce:

Add shallot, chopped rosemary, and a drizzle of olive oil to same pan. Cook, stirring, until softened, 2-3 minutes.

Stir in vinegar and jam. Simmer until syrupy, 1 minute.

Stir in stock concentrate and ½ cup water. Cook until thick and glossy, 2-3 minutes.

Add a splash of water if sauce seems too thick. Turn off heat.

Stir in 1 TBS butter. Season with salt and pepper.

Make salad:

While sauce simmers, in a medium bowl, toss mixed greens with a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Finish & serve:

Thinly slice chicken crosswise.

Divide chicken and potatoes between plates.

Drizzle chicken with sauce.

Serve salad on the side

Cranberry Thyme Chicken

Cranberry Thyme Chicken

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with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Carrots & Onion

Yield: 2 Servings

Cranberry thyme chicken with a jammy cranberry glaze. Served with crispy-edged, tender red onion, Brussels Sprouts, and carrots medley.

Prep: 10 Cook: 35

  • 8oz Brussels Sprouts
  • 1lemon
  • 2tsp garlic powder
  • 2tsp onion powder
  • 2tsp paprika
  • 1red onion
  • 6oz carrots
  • 10oz chicken cutlets
  • 1tsp dried thyme
  • 1oz chicken stock concentrate
  • 1TBS cranberry jam
  • 2tsp olive oil
  • 1tsp cooking oil
  • ¼tsp sugar
  • 1TBS butter

Prep:

Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425°F. Trim and halve Brussels sprouts lengthwise. Halve, peel, and cut onion into ½-inch-thick wedges. Trim, peel, and cut carrots on a diagonal into ½-inch-thick pieces. Quarter lemon.

Roast veggies:

Toss Brussels sprouts, onion, and carrots on a baking sheet with a large drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange Brussels sprouts cut side down. Roast on top rack until golden-brown and tender, 20-22 minutes.

Season chicken:

Make chicken seasoning by mixing 2 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, paprika in a small dish.

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season all over with salt, and pepper, chicken seasoning and ¼ tsp thyme.

Cook chicken:

Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 6- to 8-minutes per side.

Tip: If chicken is on the thicker side, reduce heat to low, cook 2- to 3-minutes more per side. Turn off heat, transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest. Wash out pan, let cool 1 minute.

Make pan sauce:

Return pan to medium-high heat, add chicken stock concentrate, jam, ½ cup water, ¼ tsp thyme, and ¼ tsp sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened, 2- to 3-minutes. Turn off heat. Stir in 1 TBS butter and juice from one lemon wedge.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add another squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Finish & serve:

Slice chicken crosswise. Divide chicken and veggies between plates. Drizzle chicken with as much pan sauce as you like. Serve with remaining lemon wedges on the side.

Chicken & Vegetables with White Sauce

Chicken & Vegetables with White Sauce

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Yield: 4 Servings

Adapted from Fortunecooking

A very simple clean tasting stir fry made with vegetables and left-over chicken. Your choice of vegetables. I usually use broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, carrots, celery and sometimes water chestnuts.

My white sauce was not as white as the original. It is fixed now. 😊 😊

  • 2cups total:
  • broccoli florets
  • pea pods
  • button mushrooms, sliced or quartered
  • carrots, sliced thin on a diagonal
  • celery, sliced thin on a diagonal
  • sliced water chestnuts
  • chicken, cooked and sliced 
  • 1heaping tsp garlic, minced
  • 1heaping tsp ginger, minced
  • 2cups water or stock
  • salt & pepper
  • 1TBS cornstarch mixed with 1 TBS water for slurry
  • 1sesame oil to taste (optional)


Blanch vegetables:

Bring 2 cups of stock or water to a boil in a wok or pan.

Add the 2 cups vegetables and chicken and cook for about 1½ minutes.

Reserve some of the vegetable cooking water and set aside.

Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. 

Chicken & sauce:

Add ginger and garlic and cook for 30 seconds. 

Add slurry and stir to thicken.

If desired, add sesame oil to taste.

Serve.

Capellini Aglio E Olio

Capellini Aglio E Olio

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Via Toscana Copycat

Roasted garlic, fresh Roma Tomato, Basil, extra-virgin Olive Oil

Yield: 2

Scott Nowell
  • ½head roasted garlic
  • 8oz capellini
  • 4TBS olive oil
  • 1-2Roma tomatoes, seeded & diced
  • basil, julienned

Optional

  • 110-12 oz chicken breast, boneless, skinless
  • olive oil as needed.
  • salt & pepper
  • parmesan cheese


Cook pasta:
Heat 3-4 quarts water to boiling in a large pot. Season generously with salt when boiling.
Add and cook capellini al dente.
Reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain.

Chicken:
While capellini is cooking, season and sauté the chicken breast in a sauté pan over medium high heat. Remove to plate, covered lightly in foil.

Sauce & finish:
Heat 2 TBS olive oil in the sauté pan over medium heat and add roasted garlic cloves.
Mash garlic and heat for 30 seconds.
Add drained capellini and mix well.
Add 2 TBS reserved cooking water.
Cook and mix well to create an emulsion.
Add diced Roma tomato and mix.
Slice chicken breast on an angle and arrange on top of pasta.
Serve.