Shaoxing Wine Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 6 slices fresh ginger
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 4 scallions, cut into 2-inch segments, white and green parts separated
• 1/2 cup Shaoxing wine
• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3/4 cup chicken stock
• 1 star anise pod
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 red chile, sliced, for garnish (optional)

Method

1. 1

   Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and cut into 2-inch pieces.

2. 2

   Heat the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a 9-inch skillet or wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the ginger slices, garlic, and scallion whites, and stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.

   1:00 · Toast aromatics
3. 3

   Add the chicken pieces and sear, stirring occasionally, until the surfaces turn opaque and lightly golden, about 5 minutes.

   5:00 · Sear chicken
4. 4

   Pour in the Shaoxing wine and let it bubble for 30 seconds to cook off the raw alcohol smell.

   0:30 · Cook off wine
5. 5

   Stir in the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, brown sugar, chicken stock, star anise, and white pepper. Bring to a boil.

6. 6

   Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the chicken is tender and cooked through, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

   20:00 · Simmer chicken
7. 7

   Uncover and increase heat to medium-high. Whisk the cornstarch and water together, then stir into the sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.

   2:00 · Thicken sauce
8. 8

   Remove the star anise. Stir in the scallion greens and remove from heat.

9. 9

   Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with sliced red chile if using, and serve hot with steamed rice.