This time, we’ll discuss the recipe for Yu Hsiang Chicken and the Yu Hsiang Sauce, a recipe popular throughout the world.
Yu Shiang Chicken is a classic Sichuan dish renowned throughout the world. This dish is also known as yu xiang chicken. The name comes from the sauce used, but the recipe has been adapted to include chicken.
The combination of ingredients gives Yu Shiang Chicken its unique and distinctive flavor. It’s sweet, spicy, salty, and sour. This flavor comes from the combination of ingredients like soy sauce, Sichuan red chilies, ginger, garlic, and sugar. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of oyster sauce, soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and cornstarch, then stir-fried with ingredients like wood ear mushrooms and bamboo shoots.
You can customize this dish to your own taste, make it with your favorite meat, such as chicken thighs, or use protein-rich chicken breast. Or you can also customize the vegetables, such as carrots, bell peppers, and onions. It can be served with noodles or rice. You can also garnish it with chopped onions and cilantro for added freshness.
What Is Yu Shiang Sauce?
In dishes using Yu Shiang Sauce, it is a traditional Chinese sauce from Sichuan province. The name suggests fish is present in the sauce, but the distinctive aroma of this fish sauce comes not from the fish itself but from the blend of ingredients. The basic ingredients for Yu Shiang sauce are rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. These ingredients are then combined with spices such as ginger, garlic, scallions, and chili peppers to create a thick sauce. This sauce is great for enhancing the flavor of food, including Yu Shiang Chicken.
Nutritional Benefits of Yu Shiang Chicken
Consuming Yu Shiang Chicken not only provides deliciousness but also provides the body with additional nutrients.
Let’s take a look at the following nutrients.
1. High in Protein
Yu Shiang Chicken is a high source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing body tissue. Just one cup contains approximately 14 grams of protein, making it an excellent choice for those looking to increase their protein intake for tissue repair or muscle building.
2. Low in Carbs
For those of you who are watching your carbohydrate intake, such as following a specific diet, this chicken dish is considered low in carbohydrates and is considered a low-FODMAP food as long as it is served in moderate portions. One cup of Yu Shiang Chicken contains 10g of carbohydrates, making it an excellent choice for those following a low-carb diet.
3. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Healthy foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, and Yu Shiang Chicken is one of them. This chicken dish contains vitamin B6 and vitamin A, which are essential for the body. It also contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium, which are essential nutrients for bones and teeth.
4. Low in Calories
Yu Shiang Chicken is also low in calories, which is a no-brainer for those of you who are watching your weight. You can even add this dish to your diet. It’s low in calories, with 1 cup containing about 170 calories.
How to Make Yu Shiang Chicken
For those of you who want to make Yu Shiang Chicken at home, I’ll show you the recipe. This dish is easy to make and has a delicious and impressive flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1/2 onion, sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 2 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shao Xing rice wine
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon potato starch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons Sichuan pickled chili pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Note: For this recipe, you don’t need anything complicated. A nonstick skillet works perfectly for stir-frying the chicken and vegetables, while a pan will come in handy for preparing the sauce and keeping everything warm.
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix soy sauce, rice wine, salt, potato flour, and sesame oil. Add the pieces of chicken, stir well, and let sit for about 15 minutes.
- In another small bowl, whisk pickled chili with sugar, cornstarch, and chicken broth to make the sauce.
- Heat a non-stick pan or frying pan over high heat. Add vegetable oil, then sauté garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add bell peppers and onions, stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add green onions and cook for one more minute.
- Return the chicken to the pan, pour in the sauce, and stir-fry everything for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats all the ingredients evenly.
- Serve hot with white rice.
With just a little preparation and a quick sauté, you will have a delicious and satisfying dish ready in no time.
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Estimated Nutrition Table (Per Serving, Assuming 2 Servings)
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 27 g |
| Total Fat | 14 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugars | 5 g |
| Sodium | 550 mg |
| Cholesterol | 70 mg |
Note: Values are approximate and may vary based on exact ingredients and cooking methods.
FAQs about Yu Shiang Chicken Recipe
Why is it called “Yu Shiang” or “Fish-Flavored”?
The term “YU Shiang Chicken” means “fish aroma” in Mandarin. This flavor isn’t due to the fish, but to the ingredients used. In this recipe, it’s adapted for chicken, giving it a savory, unique, and sweet flavor.
Can Yu Shiang Chicken be made less spicy?
Yes, you can adjust the spiciness to your liking by reducing the amount of Sichuan pickled chili peppers or chili paste. The dish will still retain its rich, garlicky, and savory flavor.
What is Yu Shiang sauce made of?
This sauce is made from a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, chili, and ginger. Some variations use ingredients like hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
What is the difference between Yu Shiang and Kung Pao Chicken?
Yu Shiang Chicken is typically made with a sauce containing vinegar and sugar, giving it a sweet and tangy flavor. Kung Pao Chicken, on the other hand, uses a sauce containing sugar and soy sauce, giving it a more savory flavor.
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