Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Chicken with Lotus Root
How to Make Delicious Stir-Fried Chicken and Lotus Root
A delightfully chewy lotus root stir-fry with chicken, enhanced by dried chili for a spicy kick and a savory-sweet sauce that perfectly coats every bite! This dish is significantly simpler than traditional lotus root braises, preserving the delightful texture and nutritional value. It offers a more engaging eating experience compared to long braised dishes.
Main Ingredients
- 150g Lotus root
- 300g Chicken thigh meat
- 2-5 Dried chilies (adjust to your preference)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (for preventing lotus root discoloration)
Special Sauce (Tablespoon Measurement)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp Plum extract (or syrup)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 0.1 tsp Ginger powder (or a little ginger juice)
- 2 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (cooking sake)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp Plum extract (or syrup)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 0.1 tsp Ginger powder (or a little ginger juice)
- 2 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (cooking sake)
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the lotus root. Peel the lotus root using a vegetable peeler and rinse it thoroughly under running water.
Step 2
Slice the cleaned lotus root into thick pieces, about 0.7 cm thick. Cutting them too thin can cause them to break apart during cooking. Then, cut these slices into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3
Immediately after slicing, soak the lotus root in water with vinegar to prevent browning. In a bowl, add enough water to cover the lotus root and mix in 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Submerge the sliced lotus root in this mixture. This step is crucial for maintaining the bright color of the lotus root.
Step 4
Next, prepare the chicken. Cut the chicken thigh meat into bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the lotus root. (Tip: While the recipe mentions using pre-cooked chicken, using fresh chicken thigh meat will result in a much juicier and more tender dish. Chicken thigh has a good amount of fat, making it excellent for stir-fries.)
Step 5
Now, let’s make the delicious sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1.5 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons of plum extract, 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic, 0.1 teaspoon of ginger powder, 2 tablespoons of oligosaccharide, 2 tablespoons of mirin, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix all ingredients well to create the sauce beforehand.
Step 6
Drain the lotus root from the vinegar water and rinse it lightly. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the lotus root, and blanch for about 3 minutes. Over-boiling can make the texture mushy. After blanching, immediately rinse the lotus root under cold water and drain thoroughly. Your ingredient preparation is now complete.
Step 7
Before stir-frying, prepare the dried chilies. You can use 2 to 5 dried chilies, depending on your spice preference. Use more if you like it spicy, or reduce the amount or omit them if you’re cooking for children or prefer milder flavors. (Tip: You can use the dried chilies whole, or remove the seeds and cut them into appropriate sizes.)
Step 8
Now, let’s begin stir-frying. Heat a pan over medium heat and add about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Add the prepared dried chilies, blanched lotus root, and chicken thigh meat. Stir-fry everything together, making sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
Step 9
Once the chicken is about halfway cooked (the surface has turned white), add all the prepared sauce to the pan.
Step 10
Continue to stir and cook until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients nicely. Taste the dish and if it seems a bit bland, add a tiny bit more soy sauce to adjust the seasoning.
Step 11
This finished dish, with the ginger and plum extract, has a charm reminiscent of Japanese ‘Kinpira Gobo.’ The balance of sweetness and mild spiciness makes it incredibly satisfying and prevents palate fatigue.
Step 12
Enjoy the delightful combination of crunchy lotus root, chewy chicken, and the savory sauce! This is a top-tier side dish that comes together quickly, perfect for making you finish your rice bowl in no time. Experience this magical dish!
