Spicy and Sweet Braised Chicken Breast
Spicy and Sweet Braised Chicken Breast
Easy Recipe for Braised Chicken Breast Using Frozen Chicken Breast
Today, I’ve made a delicious braised chicken breast dish using frozen chicken breast, seasoned with a spicy and sweet sauce. When leftover vegetables from your fridge meet this savory, soy-sauce-based sauce, you get a moist and flavorful chicken breast side dish. The unique tender and chewy texture of chicken breast, combined with the spicy sauce, makes this an incredibly appetizing dish that will stimulate your appetite. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy chicken breast!
Main Ingredients- Frozen chicken breast, 2 cups (approx. 300-400g)
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 green onion (scallion)
- 7 cloves garlic
- 5cm piece of carrot
- 1/2 cup water (100ml)
Spicy Sauce Ingredients- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the frozen chicken breast. I’m using chicken breast from a rotisserie chicken bought at Costco. If you portion and freeze it after cooking, it’s convenient to thaw and use whenever needed. You can quickly thaw it by placing the sealed bag in cold water. The amount is about 2 cups.
Step 2
Next, prepare the vegetables. Slice the 1/2 onion, cut the 1/2 green onion diagonally. Mince or lightly smash the 7 cloves of garlic. Slice the 5cm piece of carrot into half-moons or similar bite-sized pieces. Cutting the vegetables into appropriate sizes will ensure they cook evenly with the chicken breast.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious spicy sauce. In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp oyster sauce, 2 Tbsp mirin, and 1/2 Tbsp sugar. Mix them well. Finally, add 1 Tbsp sesame oil and 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor, and stir until the sauce is evenly blended.
Step 4
Let’s start cooking. Lightly oil a pan and sauté the minced garlic over medium heat to release its aroma. Once the garlic is fragrant, add the carrots first, as they take longer to cook, and stir-fry them with the garlic for a bit. This step adds a nice depth of flavor.
Step 5
When the carrots are somewhat tender, add the sliced onion and green onion. Season with a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper for initial flavoring. Stir everything together and sauté until the vegetables are lightly softened and slightly translucent.
Step 6
Once the vegetables are partially cooked, add the prepared chicken breast. Since the chicken breast is already cooked, you don’t need to stir-fry it for a long time. Briefly toss it with the vegetables to combine. You’ll be adding water and sauce to braise it, so just a quick sauté is sufficient.
Step 7
Pour in 1/2 cup (100ml) of water and add all the prepared sauce. Stir well to ensure the sauce evenly coats the chicken breast and vegetables, and let it simmer. For braising, it’s best to cook over medium-low heat rather than high heat to prevent the sauce from burning and allow the flavors to penetrate deeply. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Step 8
And there you have it – delicious spicy braised chicken breast made with frozen chicken and leftover vegetables! This dish is perfect as a side dish or a main accompaniment to rice, and it’s quick and easy to make, making it incredibly satisfying. Chicken breast is a very healthy ingredient, low in fat and rich in protein. Using pre-cooked chicken breast further simplifies the cooking process. Enjoy this flavorful, healthy, and appetite-stimulating chicken breast dish!
