This is the easiest way to replicate takeout style Chinese Garlic Chicken. With a few simple ingredients you’ll have that perfect Asian spice for your Chinese garlic chicken. It’s nice that you can make this at home, without the price tag.
I love the flavor of garlic, ginger, and soy. Any flavor that has to do Asian dishes, I’m all for it. I would say we order take out twice a month at the least. But I like to eat Chinese dishes at least once a week. I love how many of the dishes incorporate fresh vegetables, chicken and sticky rice. So this recipe is perfect because the ingredients are just that.
Why you’re going to love this recipe
- Bold flavors; with four easy ingredients added to your chicken, you’re going to have this delicious sauce that’s created.
- Easy; The only thing hard about this dish is chopping up the chicken. It’s that easy!
- Fresh; You’re not going to feel weighed down by this dish. You’re going to feel healthy, full and satisfied after indulging.
Inside Garlic Chicken
- Chicken breast or chicken thighs; boneless, skinless are the best for this.
- Soy sauce; light or regular.
- Rice vinegar; natural or mellow flavor.
- Chicken broth; It can be low sodium or regular, depending on your preference.
- Garlic; minced or diced fine
- Ginger; freshly grated
- Vegetable stir fry mix; fresh or frozen for both good options.
- Garlic powder; adding this to your chicken will help echo the flavor of the fresh garlic that you put in the sauce.
- Kosher salt; season to taste
- Black pepper
To make Garlic Chicken
- Dice your chicken into bite-size pieces.
- In a medium sized skillet drizzle 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and heat to medium high heat.
- In a medium bowl, add chicken and seasonings and mix together until fully coated. Add more or less depending on your preference.
- Add your seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook fully. Internal temperature should reach 165° F.
- Once chicken is cooked. Remove it from the pan.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic, grated ginger and cook for 20 seconds until fragrant.
- Add in soy sauce, rice vinegar and chicken broth. Whisk together until blended.
- Let the sauce cook down for one to two minutes, then add your chicken back to the skillet.
- Coat your chicken in the sauce and let simmer for another one to two minutes.
- And a saucepan with about 2/3 cup boiling water. Add stir fry vegetables.
- Remove vegetables once they are bright, green and steamed.
- Serve chicken and vegetables over steamed rice and enjoy!!
Pro Tips
- If you are sensitive to sodium make sure to use light soy sauce for the sauce. This will ensure that you do not over salt your dish. You can always go back and add more soy sauce at the end.
How to store, freeze and reheat
Store
Place the leftover chicken in Tupperware or take a container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing
This dish can be premade and frozen in a Ziploc container with the air removed. It should last for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To reheat from the refrigerator. Just place it in the microwave for one to two minutes depending on your power. To reheat rice. Add a small amount of water to help steam and refresh the rice.
To reheat from frozen place your Ziploc on the counter. Let it thot out and follow instructions about reheating in the microwave.
Frequently asked questions
Most Chinese dishes are full of nutrients because they are usually paired with fresh steamed vegetables. There is also less animal fat in most of the dishes. Usually using lean chicken, pork or beef. There is tons of fiber and is packed with healthy carbs that are long lasting.
Enjoy takeout style Chinese garlic chicken with
- Fresh broccoli; steaming fresh broccoli is always a good addition. Just steam until bright green and enjoy with your chicken.
- Brown rice; This is a great option instead of white rice. Brown rice is a slow burning carbohydrate.
- Fried rice; I always love fried rice, it gives a great flavor!
- Rice noodles; Another light option for a carb
- Lo Mien noodles; The garlic chicken could be mixed in with the lo mien.
Takeout Style Chinese Garlic Chicken
Equipment
- Wok or Skillet
Ingredients
For Garlic Chicken
- 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp grated garlic
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
For sides and garnish
- 16 oz. Steamed vegetables
- 2 c. Steamed rice
Instructions
- Dice your chicken into bite-size pieces.
- In a medium sized skillet drizzle 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and heat to medium high heat.
- In a medium bowl, add chicken and seasonings and mix together until fully coated. Add more or less depending on your preference.
- Add your seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook fully. Internal temperature should reach 165° F.
- Once chicken is cooked. Remove it from the pan.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic, grated ginger and cook for 20 seconds until fragrant.
- Add in soy sauce, rice vinegar and chicken broth. Whisk together until blended.
- Let the sauce cook down for one to two minutes, then add your chicken back to the skillet.
- Coat your chicken in the sauce and let simmer for another one to two minutes.
- In a saucepan with about 2/3 cup boiling water. Add stir fry vegetables.
- Remove vegetables once they are bright, green and steamed.
- Serve chicken and vegetables over steamed rice and enjoy!!
Notes
- If you are sensitive to sodium make sure to use light soy sauce for the sauce. This will ensure that you do not over salt your dish. You can always go back and add more soy sauce at the end.
Fantastic dish!!