Savory Stir-Fried Chicken with Shiitake Mushrooms, Bamboo Shoots, and Spinach
Experience the vibrant flavors of this Savory Stir-Fried Chicken dish, where tender chicken breasts are tossed with earthy shiitake mushrooms, crunchy bamboo shoots, and fresh spinach. This harmonious blend of textures and tastes is heightened by a savory sauce with hints of soy, oyster, and sesame oils. Perfectly suited for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, this dish can be served over fluffy white rice and paired with traditional Chinese tea and crispy fortune cookies for a delightful dining experience. This recipe not only satisfies your taste buds but also brings the essence of Asian cuisine to your kitchen.
4
Servings
175
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Shiitake mushrooms
12-16 small (soaked and cut in half)
Fresh spinach
10 ounces (washed and chopped)
Peanut oil
8 tablespoons (substitute vegetable oil if needed)
Garlic cloves
3 (chopped)
Salt
1 teaspoon
Chicken breasts
7 ounces (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Cornstarch
2 tablespoons
Stock
1/2-3/4 cup
Light soy sauce
2 tablespoons
Dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon
Oyster sauce
2 tablespoons
White wine
1 tablespoon (sweet, not 'dry')
Sugar
1/4 teaspoon
Red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons
Ginger
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Bamboo shoots
5 ounces (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Sesame oil
1 tablespoon
Cashews
1/4 cup (not raw, not salted)
Instructions
1
1. Start by soaking the shiitake mushrooms in medium-hot water for 30 minutes, ensuring they are fully submerged. Use a plate to weigh them down. After soaking, drain, squeeze out excess water, remove the stems, and slice each mushroom in half. Set them aside.
2
2. In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 teaspoons light soy sauce, 2 teaspoons red vinegar, and 1 tablespoon peanut oil. Mix well and set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
3
3. In a cup, mix together 1/3 cup of stock, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon sweet white wine, and 1/4 teaspoon sugar. Stir well and set aside.
4
4. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of stock in another cup, then set aside.
5
5. Slice bamboo shoots into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
6
6. Heat 2 tablespoons of peanut oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 2 chopped garlic cloves, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped spinach and stir-fry for 3+ minutes until wilted yet vibrant. Drain and squeeze out any excess liquid, then transfer the spinach to a serving plate and keep warm.
7
7. In the same wok, add 2 tablespoons of oil and the remaining chopped garlic. Stir-fry for 30 seconds before adding the marinated chicken. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Add the cashews and stir briefly, then remove the mixture to a bowl and set aside.
8
8. In a clean wok, heat 2 tablespoons of oil and add 1 tablespoon chopped ginger. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the shiitake mushrooms, cooking for 1-2 minutes (adding a little stock if needed). Incorporate the sliced bamboo shoots and stir-fry for another minute.
9
9. Pour in the prepared sauce from step 3, stirring occasionally, and let it cook for 2-3 minutes until the flavors meld.
10
10. Stir the cornstarch mixture prepared in step 4 once again, then add a small amount to the wok, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Add the cooked chicken and cashews, mixing everything together for about 1 minute.
11
11. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over the dish and give it a quick stir to incorporate.
12
12. Serve the chicken and mushroom mixture over the bed of warm spinach, and enjoy with sticky white rice, Chinese tea, and fortune cookies.
Nutrition Information
7.5
Fat
10
Carbs
12.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in this stir-fry?
The main protein in this recipe is 7 ounces of chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces.
How many calories are in one serving of this dish?
There are approximately 175 calories per serving.
How long should the shiitake mushrooms be soaked?
The shiitake mushrooms should be soaked in medium-hot water for 30 minutes until fully submerged.
What can I use as a substitute for peanut oil?
You can substitute vegetable oil if peanut oil is not available.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in this recipe?
Cornstarch is used twice: once to marinate the chicken for texture and once as a slurry to thicken the savory sauce.
What kind of wine is recommended for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of sweet white wine, specifying it should not be dry.
How long should the chicken marinate?
The chicken should marinate for at least 15 minutes in a mixture of cornstarch, soy sauce, red vinegar, and peanut oil.
How do I prepare the spinach for this dish?
The spinach is washed, chopped, stir-fried with garlic and salt for 3+ minutes until wilted, and then drained of excess liquid.
What type of cashews should I use?
You should use 1/4 cup of cashews that are neither raw nor salted.
What is the difference between the soy sauces used?
The recipe uses both light soy sauce for saltiness and flavor and dark soy sauce, which adds a deeper color and richer taste.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
A total of 3 chopped garlic cloves are used throughout the cooking process.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving contains 10 grams of carbohydrates.
When do I add the sesame oil?
The sesame oil is drizzled over the dish at the very end (step 11) to preserve its aromatic flavor.
How much ginger is required?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of chopped ginger.
What kind of mushrooms are used in this stir-fry?
The recipe uses 12-16 small shiitake mushrooms.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is 7.5 grams of fat per serving.
Are bamboo shoots included in this recipe?
Yes, 5 ounces of bamboo shoots cut into bite-sized pieces are included.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 12.5 grams of protein.
What kind of vinegar is used for the marinade?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar.
Should the mushroom stems be kept?
No, the instructions specify to remove the stems after soaking and slice each mushroom in half.
What are the suggested side dishes for this meal?
It is recommended to serve this dish over fluffy white rice with Chinese tea and fortune cookies.
How do I ensure the mushrooms are fully submerged while soaking?
You should use a plate to weigh them down in the soaking water.
What are the main flavors of the sauce?
The sauce features a blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sweet white wine, and a touch of sugar.
How long does it take to cook the chicken in the wok?
The marinated chicken typically takes 3-5 minutes to cook thoroughly over medium-high heat.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, a small amount (1/4 teaspoon) of sugar is added to the sauce to balance the savory flavors.
What is the total number of ingredients?
This recipe consists of 18 ingredients.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and a healthy dinner option.
How much salt is used in the spinach preparation?
One teaspoon of salt is added when stir-frying the spinach.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is soaking the shiitake mushrooms in medium-hot water for 30 minutes.