Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Hoisin Chicken with Broccoli & Carrots?
It is a delightful dish featuring tender chicken tossed in a rich hoisin sauce with crisp broccoli and vibrant carrots, inspired by Chinese cuisine.
Can I use different meats for this recipe?
Yes, you can easily customize the dish by substituting the chicken with pork or beef based on your preference.
What are the suggested side dishes?
It is recommended to serve this dish over garlic-fried Soba noodles or classic steamed white rice.
How can I make this recipe lower in calories?
To reduce calories, you can bake the chicken on a sheet tray with a spritz of olive oil instead of frying it.
How should I prepare the chicken?
Cut the chicken breast into bite-size pieces and season them with salt and pepper before coating in cornstarch.
How do I prepare the vegetables?
Cut the broccoli into florets, peel and julienne the carrot, and roughly chop the onion.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is to cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and season them with salt and pepper.
How do I flavor the cooking oil?
Flatten the garlic cloves and ginger and sautรฉ them in hot olive oil until golden brown, then discard them.
What is the coating for the chicken?
The chicken is coated in a mixture of 3/4 cup cornstarch and salt.
How do I fry the chicken?
Fry the chicken in batches in hot oil until golden brown, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
How is the hoisin sauce prepared?
Heat chicken stock in a saucepan, whisk in hoisin sauce, and then gradually add cornstarch until thickened.
What is the role of cornstarch in the sauce?
Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent to give the hoisin sauce its rich consistency.
Can I adjust the thickness of the sauce?
Yes, you can add more cornstarch if you prefer a thicker sauce for your chicken and vegetables.
How should the broccoli and carrots be cooked?
Sautรฉ them in the frying pan until they reach your desired level of tenderness or crunchiness.
How is the final dish assembled?
Return the fried chicken to the pan with the vegetables and pour the thickened hoisin sauce over the mixture.
What amount of chicken is needed?
The recipe requires 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast.
How much broccoli is required?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of broccoli cut into florets.
How many carrots are used?
One large carrot, peeled and julienned, is used in this recipe.
How much ginger is included?
One ounce of ginger, crushed to flavor the oil, is included in the ingredients.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
Two garlic cloves are used to flavor the cooking oil.
How much chicken stock is used?
The sauce requires 2 cups of heated chicken stock.
What type of oil is used for frying?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
How much hoisin sauce is needed?
Two tablespoons of hoisin sauce are whisked into the chicken stock.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dish for family dinners and entertaining guests.
How many onions are required?
The recipe uses one onion that is roughly chopped.
What is the total amount of cornstarch needed?
A total of 1 cup of cornstarch is used for both coating the chicken and thickening the sauce.
How much salt and pepper is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper, or more to taste.
Should the garlic and ginger remain in the dish?
No, the garlic and ginger should be removed and discarded after flavoring the oil.
What should I do after frying the chicken?
Place the fried chicken on paper towels to drain excess oil before adding it back to the pan.
Can this dish be served hot?
Yes, it is best served hot over your choice of noodles or rice.