Spicy Asparagus Chicken Stir-Fry with Black Bean Sauce
This vibrant and flavorful Spicy Asparagus Chicken Stir-Fry combines tender chicken, crisp asparagus, and a rich Chinese black bean sauce, making it a delightful family meal that's sure to impress. Perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of heat from Sombel Oelek hot chili paste and aromatic garlic and ginger, this dish is a beautiful blend of textures and tastes. Served over steamed rice, it transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into an Asian-inspired feast. Easy to prepare and quick to cook, this recipe is not just a meal; it's a celebration of bold flavors and healthy ingredients.
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cornstarch
5 teaspoons (divided)
Soy Sauce
4 teaspoons (divided)
Dry Sherry
1 tablespoon
Sesame Oil
1 teaspoon
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
3 (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Prepared Chinese Black Bean Sauce
1 tablespoon
Hot Chili Paste
1 teaspoon (preferably Sombel Oelek)
Fresh Ginger
1 teaspoon (minced)
Garlic Clove
1 (minced)
Chicken Broth
1/2 cup
Oyster Sauce
1 tablespoon
Yellow Onion
1 medium (cut into wedges)
Vegetable Oil
3 tablespoons (divided)
Fresh Asparagus
1 lb (trimmed and diagonally cut into 1 inch pieces)
Water
2 tablespoons
Instructions
1
For the marinade, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, the dry sherry, and the sesame oil until well combined.
2
Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken to the marinade, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3
While the chicken is marinating, prepare the black bean sauce mixture by combining the black bean sauce, hot chili paste, minced ginger, and minced garlic in a separate bowl. Set aside.
4
In a small bowl, mix the remaining 3 teaspoons of cornstarch, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, chicken broth, and oyster sauce until smooth. Set this sauce mixture aside as well.
5
Peel the onion and cut it into 8 wedges, then separate the wedges and set aside.
6
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for about 3 minutes or until cooked through. Remove the chicken from the wok and set aside.
7
In the same wok, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil, then toss in the onion wedges and asparagus pieces. Stir-fry for 30 seconds to begin softening.
8
Add 2 tablespoons of water to the pan and cover it, allowing the vegetables to steam for about 2 minutes until the asparagus is crisp-tender.
9
Return the cooked chicken to the wok, then stir the chicken broth mixture to ensure it's well-combined before adding it to the pan along with the black bean sauce mixture.
10
Cook everything together until the sauce comes to a boil and thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even coating.
11
Serve the spicy asparagus chicken hot over steamed rice, garnishing with extra sesame oil or chili paste if desired.
Nutrition Information
10g
Carbs
11g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Asparagus Chicken Stir-Fry with Black Bean Sauce?
It is a vibrant Asian-inspired dish combining tender chicken, crisp asparagus, and a rich Chinese black bean sauce.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for three boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces.
How do I prepare the marinade for the chicken?
Whisk together 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, dry sherry, and sesame oil until well combined.
How long should the chicken marinate?
The chicken should marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
What are the ingredients in the black bean sauce mixture?
The mixture includes Chinese black bean sauce, hot chili paste, minced ginger, and minced garlic.
Which specific hot chili paste is recommended?
Sombel Oelek hot chili paste is the preferred choice for this recipe.
How do I prepare the asparagus?
Trim the asparagus and cut it diagonally into 1-inch pieces.
How should the onion be prepared?
Peel a medium yellow onion and cut it into 8 wedges, then separate the wedges.
What ingredients are in the secondary sauce mixture?
It consists of 3 teaspoons of cornstarch, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, chicken broth, and oyster sauce.
How much oil is used for stir-frying?
A total of 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil is used, divided during the cooking process.
How long does it take to cook the chicken in the wok?
The chicken should be stir-fried over high heat for about 3 minutes or until cooked through.
What is the first step in cooking the vegetables?
Stir-fry the onion wedges and asparagus pieces in oil for 30 seconds.
How do I ensure the asparagus is crisp-tender?
Add 2 tablespoons of water to the wok, cover it, and steam the vegetables for about 2 minutes.
When do I add the sauce mixtures to the pan?
Add them once the chicken is returned to the wok after the vegetables have been steamed.
How do I know when the stir-fry is finished?
The dish is ready when the sauce comes to a boil and thickens, coating all ingredients evenly.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
It is best served hot over a bed of steamed rice.
What are possible garnishes for this stir-fry?
You can garnish the dish with extra sesame oil or additional chili paste if you prefer more heat.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 150 calories per serving.
How much protein does this dish provide?
Each serving contains 11g of protein.
What is the carbohydrate content of this recipe?
There are 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is designed to be easy to prepare and quick to cook.
How much fresh ginger is needed?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of minced fresh ginger.
How many garlic cloves should I use?
One minced garlic clove is sufficient for this recipe.
Can I use a skillet if I do not own a wok?
Yes, a large skillet can be used as an alternative to a wok.
What role does cornstarch play in this recipe?
Cornstarch is used both in the marinade to tenderize the chicken and in the sauce to thicken it.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chicken broth.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 15 ingredients used in this recipe.
What type of sherry should be used?
Dry sherry is recommended for the chicken marinade.
Can I adjust the spiciness of this dish?
Yes, you can increase or decrease the amount of Sombel Oelek hot chili paste to suit your preference.
What kind of onion is used?
The recipe specifies using one medium yellow onion.