Why is Chinese stir fry chicken so tender?

It's because they tenderise chicken using a simple method called Velveting Chicken using baking soda . It's a quick and easy method that any home cook can do, and can also be used for beef. Use this for all your favourite Chinese chicken dishes, like Cashew Chicken, Chicken Stir Fry, Chow Mein and Kung Pao Chicken.

How to make Chinese stir fry taste better?

Aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, green onions, chilies and spices . These ingredients are typically added to the oil first to infuse it with flavor. You won't need much; a few teaspoons to a tablespoon of total aromatic ingredients per person adds a serious amount of flavor.

How to saute zucchini for stir fry?

Heat oil and garlic in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil-garlic mixture until onion is almost translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add zucchini; cook and stir until zucchini is slightly crisp, but not mushy, about 8 to 10 minutes . Stir in diced tomatoes and cook until heated through.

Why is my fried zucchini soggy?

Zucchini is made of over 90% water. When cooked, it gets soft and slowly releases that water into whatever dish you're cooking. If zucchini is overcooked , it will have a mushy, soft texture.

Why is chicken from Chinese restaurants so soft?

You may have wondered how Chinese restaurants come to have such soft, silky textured meat in their dishes? Rather than stir-frying the meat and searing it all over until browned, they use a special technique called velveting .

How do they make chicken so tender in Chinese food?

Chinese stir-fried chicken is extra tender due to the velveting technique. Chicken is sliced into thin, even-sized pieces and then marinated briefly in a mix of baking soda, cornstarch, wine, and seasoning. This seals in moisture and tenderizes the chicken.

Why the meat in Chinese stir fries is so wonderfully tender?

In Chinese cooking, proteins like beef, pork or chicken are velveted first before stir-frying them. There are several ways to velvet, but at its most basic level, it involves marinating meat with at least one ingredient that will make it alkaline . This is what tenderizes the meat, especially cheaper, tougher cuts.

What do Chinese restaurants use to make meat tender?

This is how to tenderise beef with a Chinese restaurant method called “velveting beef”. Also used for chicken, it's a simple, highly effective technique using baking soda that transforms economical beef so it's incredibly tender in stir fries and stir fried noodles.

Delicious Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry: With Chicken

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Are you looking for a quick and healthy dinner option that doesn't skimp on flavor? Try Chinese zucchini stir-fry with chicken! This zucchini recipe is one of the popular Chinese dishes. It is a delicious and healthy dish typically made with sliced zucchini, chicken breast, and various Chinese seasonings and sauces. It is packed with fresh ingredients and bursting with Asian flavors, and this dish is sure to become a staple in your weeknight meal rotation.

Delicious Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry: With Chicken - Sassy Chopsticks (1)

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Ingredients
Step-by-step cooking instructions
Pro tips
Storing Chinese zucchini stir fry
Final thoughts
Delicious Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry: With Chicken
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You will be surprised by how many flavors these humble zucchinis bring out! Read on for more!

Ingredients

Medium zucchinis: You can slice them into thin rounds and then cut them in half. Sliced thinly, they can cook quickly and evenly.

Delicious Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry: With Chicken - Sassy Chopsticks (2)

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces for easy cooking. Boneless and skinless chicken breast or thigh meat is more tender compared to cuts with bones or skin.

Cooking oil: Vegetable oil, olive oil, or canola oil all work well.

Fresh garlic cloves: minced.

Light soy sauce: It adds saltiness and umami flavor. If you want to reduce the sodium content of this dish, use low sodium soy sauce.

Dark soy sauce: Similar to regular soy sauce but with a deeper color and slightly sweeter flavor. You can find it in almost all Asian markets.

Oyster sauce: It contributes depth and richness to the sauce.

Cornstarch: It acts as a thickening agent for the sauce.

Shaoxing cooking wine: It helps tenderize the chicken breast. One of the important Chinese pantry staples.

Sugar: Adds a sweet flavor to the dish.

Salt and black pepper to taste: Keep some extra salt for soaking the zucchini.

Step-by-step cooking instructions

Slice the zucchini into thin rounds, then cut each round in half. Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.

In a small bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, Shaoxing wine, and sugar. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Let it marinate for about 15-20 minutes.

Delicious Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry: With Chicken - Sassy Chopsticks (3)

Place the sliced zucchini in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Toss gently to coat the zucchini slices evenly. Let them sit for about 10-15 minutes. This helps draw out excess moisture from the zucchini, preventing the stir-fry from becoming watery.

Heat cooking oil in a wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about 20 seconds until fragrant. Add the marinated chicken pieces to the wok, spreading them out in a single layer. Stir-fry the chicken until it is cooked through and slightly golden brown on all sides. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Drain the salted zucchini slices and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Add the zucchini slices to the wok along with the chicken pieces and stir-fry for 2 minutes until they are just tender but still crisp.

Stir everything together until the chicken and zucchini are evenly combined.

If the stir-fry becomes too dry, add chicken stock or water. Cook for an additional 1 minute, allowing the flavors to meld together. Leave it out if you prefer less liquid.

If desired, garnish the stir-fry with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve the Chinese zucchini stir-fry with chicken over a bed of rice. Enjoy!

Delicious Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry: With Chicken - Sassy Chopsticks (4)

Pro tips

Here are some pro tips for making a delicious Chinese zucchini stir fry with chicken:

For an extra kick of heat, add red chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the stir-fry.
Feel free to customize this recipe with your favorite vegetables or protein sources, such as tofu cubes, shrimp, or bell peppers.
Stir-frying is all about high heat and quick cooking. Make sure your wok or skillet is hot before adding any ingredients. This helps to sear the chicken breast quickly and retain its juices and tenderness.

Storing Chinese zucchini stir fry

Once this dish has cooled to room temperature, transfer the stir-fry to an airtight container. Chinese zucchini stir-fry with chicken can typically be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and in the freezer for 2-3 months. However, the zucchini's texture may degrade over time, so it's best to serve it within a couple of days for better taste and texture.

Final thoughts

Chinese zucchini stir fry is a delicious and versatile dish that can easily be mixed into any complete meal plan. From its freshness to its flavor, this traditional Chinese dish offers something for everyone! You can serve this delicious dish as a main course or a side dish.

With just a few simple steps and a handful of ingredients, you can make a delicious meal right in your own kitchen. This Chinese zucchini stir fry is satisfying, packed with nutrients, and perfect for those following a low-carb lifestyle. Try it out next time and watch it become a family favorite in no time!