Spicy and Sweet Braised Chicken Breast
Spicy and Sweet Braised Chicken Breast
Spicy and Sweet Braised Chicken Breast: Your New Home Favorite! Tender chicken breast meets a deliciously addictive spicy sauce! Even better served as a rice bowl!
Today, I made a flavorful braised dish with chicken breast that I had portioned and frozen. It’s delicious as a side dish, but even more delightful served over rice with a fried egg on top!
Main Ingredients- 1 cup-sized portion of chicken breast
- 1 handful of fresh spinach
- 1/2 onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 green chili pepper
Spicy and Sweet Sauce Ingredients- 1 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 sesame seeds
- 1 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 sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
I used chicken breast from a rotisserie chicken purchased at Costco. Portioning it into servings and freezing it makes it very convenient to thaw and use whenever needed. You can quickly thaw it by placing the sealed bag in cold water. If using regular chicken breast, you can shred it into bite-sized pieces or boil it first. Boiling the chicken breast beforehand can make it even more tender.
Step 2
Wash the handful of spinach and cut it into 4-5cm pieces. Peel and thinly slice half an onion. Slice one red chili pepper and one green chili pepper diagonally for color and a hint of heat.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious spicy and sweet sauce. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp oyster sauce for umami, 2 Tbsp mirin to remove any gamey flavors and add depth, 1/2 Tbsp sugar for sweetness, 1 Tbsp sesame oil for nutty aroma, and 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds. Stir everything well with a spoon until the sauce is evenly mixed.
Step 4
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Once the garlic aroma is released, add the sliced onions and sauté until they become translucent. When the onions are softened, add the prepared chicken breast. Season with 2 pinches of salt and 1 pinch of pepper. Stir-fry everything together until the chicken breast is cooked through and opaque.
Step 5
Once the chicken breast and onions are well-stirred, add the prepared spinach and sliced chili peppers to the pan. Stir-fry them briefly with the chicken breast until the spinach is just wilted.
Step 6
Pour the pre-made spicy and sweet sauce into the pan and stir to coat all the ingredients evenly. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it braise slowly, allowing the flavors to meld and penetrate the ingredients. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 7
And there you have it! The chicken breast is beautifully braised in a spicy and sweet sauce, creating a delicious dish. Serving it over rice with a fried egg makes for a fantastic rice bowl. This dish is so convenient as it eliminates the need for other side dishes and provides a hearty, one-bowl meal, minimizing cleanup. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also incredibly flavorful! Feel free to substitute chicken breast with pork or beef for a different, equally delicious experience. Enjoy trying this versatile recipe!
