Marry Me Chicken is creamy, juicy, and full of flavor! It’s said that this chicken dinner is so good that if you make it for your partner, a marriage proposal will be his next question.
You only need a few ingredients and half an hour to make this delicious chicken dish that the whole family will love.
One of my most popular recipes on the blog is my Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken, a recipe with so many 5-star ratings. Everyone loves chicken cooked in a cream sauce, and when it’s combined with garlic, parmesan cheese, and sundried tomatoes, honestly there’s no better combination.
Marry Me chicken is as good as the Tuscan chicken, if not better. You’d think that it’s very similar, but it tastes quite different and the textures are probably more interesting.
This creamy lemon chicken is another family favorite. It has chicken and a deliciously creamy sauce, and it’s all ready in just 25 minutes. It’s a family favorite, and if you still haven’t seen it, make sure that you check it out and give it a try!.
Chicken is a versatile protein that forms the cornerstone of many cuisines around the world From juicy roast chicken to crispy fried chicken, there are endless ways to enjoy this lean and tasty meat However, there is one preparation that stands out for its bold, complex flavors and textures – amazing chicken. This Chinese chicken dish has garnered immense popularity, leaving many curious about what exactly makes it so remarkable. In this article, we will unravel the origins, ingredients, cooking techniques, and variations of amazing chicken to understand what sets it apart.
Tracing the History and Origins
Amazing chicken has its roots in Chinese cuisine, particularly the Sichuan region renowned for its signature spicy and numbing flavors. It emerged as a popular street food, with street vendors experimenting and improvising to create an umami-rich and irresistible chicken dish. While the exact origins are uncertain, amazing chicken likely evolved from other Chinese chicken preparations like kung pao chicken and general tso’s chicken. The versatility of the basic ingredients allowed vendors to develop an distinct recipe that stood out from typical Chinese chicken dishes.
Over time, amazing chicken was refined into a bold, complex medley of tastes and textures interplaying in perfect harmony. It rose to fame across China, becoming a staple menu item in restaurants and takeout joints. As Chinese food became increasingly popular in the West, so did amazing chicken. Its complex medley of sweet, spicy, savory, and mouth-numbing flavors made it an instant hit. Today, it graces menus across North America, often with western tweaks like added vegetables or new sauces. However, the soul of amazing chicken remains untouched, continuing to wow taste buds globally.
Decoding the Star Ingredients
So what gives amazing chicken its distinctive punch and complexity? The ingredients, of course! This dish is all about bringing together contrasting tastes, aromas, and textures in perfect balance. Here are some of the vital components:
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Chicken: chicken breast or thighs without bones, cut into bite-sized pieces or sliced. This provides the canvas on which the flavors are built.
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Soy sauce: An umami-rich soy sauce forms the base, imparting a savory, salty richness.
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Rice vinegar The mild acidity of rice vinegar balances out the salty soy sauce, adding a subtle zing
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Sugar: A touch of sugar rounds out flavors and adds sheen and caramelization during cooking.
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Garlic and ginger: These aromatic alliums provide a fragrant foundation with spicy, pungent notes.
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Chilies: The famous Sichuan peppercorns or dried chilies give mala a tingly, addicting feel. Change the amounts to your liking.
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Scallions: Bright, grassy scallions offset the intensity of other flavors.
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Toasted sesame oil: Nutty sesame oil finishes the dish with a rich, heady aroma.
When these ingredients come together through deliberate spicing and cooking techniques, the result is a party of flavors in your mouth! The sweet pairs with the spicy, the cooling scallions balance the warming chilies, and the chicken soaks up all the tastes into juicy, succulent morsels. This multidimensional symphony is what makes amazing chicken extraordinary.
The Signature Cooking Method
Now that we know the main ingredients, let’s examine how they are transformed into amazing chicken through traditional Chinese cooking techniques. Here is a simplified overview of the general method:
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To make the chicken velvety, mix soy sauce, oil, and cornstarch together and coat the chicken pieces. This velvets the meat, sealing in moisture.
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Bloom aromatics: Heat oil in a wok on high heat. Cook garlic, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns/chilies to release flavors.
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Stir-fry chicken: Add chicken and stir-fry until just cooked through. The high heat keeps it juicy.
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Simmer in sauce: Use soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar to make a sauce. Simmer to coat chicken and thicken sauce.
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Toast sesame oil: Remove from heat, mix in toasted sesame oil to finish.
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Garnish: Top with sliced scallions for color and freshness.
The quick stir-frying followed by a short simmer allows the chicken to absorb all the complex flavors while remaining moist and tender. This cooking style is the key to amazing chicken’s melt-in-your-mouth texture and robust taste.
Regional Variations to Savor
One of the beauties of amazing chicken is that basic recipe can be tweaked and localized to create diverse regional variations. Here are some to try on your flavor journey:
Sichuan Style: The birthplace of amazing chicken has the most intense seasoning with tongue-numbing Sichuan peppercorns and chilies.
Hunan Style: Features an equally fierce heat but with more dried red chilies and garlic than Sichuan versions.
Shanghai Style: A sweeter rendition with extra sugar added to the sauce and ginger.
Cantonese Style: Subtler flavors created with chicken stock and aromatic sesame oil rather than chili and peppercorns.
American Chinese Style: Adapted for Western tastes with more sauce and additions like carrots, broccoli, or pineapple.
There are so many subtle regional nuances to experience as you bite into different amazing chicken preparations. Part of the joy is discovering your favorite flavor profile.
Playing with Proteins and Pairings
While chicken is traditional, amazing chicken’s sauce also pairs beautifully with other proteins and vegetable sides. Some tasty variations include:
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Cauliflower or tofu for vegetarian/vegan versions.
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Shrimp or scallops for a luxe seafood twist.
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Thinly sliced beef or duck for a heartier meal.
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Bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli, or mushrooms for extra crunch and color.
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Steamed jasmine rice or noodles to soak up the fabulous sauce.
With the right ingredients and technique, you can turn any protein or veggie into an amazing version. Get creative and customize it to your taste!
At its core, amazing chicken is all about harmony – the harmony between tastes, textures, aromas and cooking methods. When the ingredients come together through proper technique, they transform into the ultimate chicken dish that engages all the senses. The interplay between sweet and spicy, the juxtaposition of cooling and warming, the balance between tenderness and crispness – this symphony in your mouth is what makes amazing chicken so addictive, craveable and legendary. So next time you spot it on a menu, order it without hesitation and sink your teeth into an amazing experience!
How to Make Marry Me Chicken
It’s a very easy recipe and requires less than 30 minutes of your time. As long as you have all the ingredients, you can still make it even if you haven’t planned ahead for a dinner date.
- Chicken breast – sliced into cutlets. Cutting them in half is all it takes to make them thinner. If you use whole chicken breasts, you’ll need to bake them for the last few minutes to make sure they’re fully cooked. But I like cutlets better in this recipe.
- You will coat the chicken in flour, salt, and pepper to make a nice golden crust.
- It tastes good when I use olive oil and butter to brown the chicken. The sundried tomato oil can even be used to make it taste better. That’s free flavor there!.
- Garlic – because it makes everything taste better!
- Chicken or vegetable stock? I suggest using chicken stock, but vegetable stock will work just fine if that’s all you have on hand.
- Heavy cream and Parmesan cheese make a sauce that is very smooth and tasty. Single cream or light cream won’t work well to thicken the sauce.
- Chili flakes, dried oregano, and thyme – for extra flavor.
- Sundried tomatoes – what makes this dish so special!
- Fresh basil leaves – for garnish.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Coat the chicken in seasoned flour, then shake off any extra. Move the chicken to a plate, but don’t stack it because it will stick.
- Place the pan with a heavy bottom over medium heat. Warm the oil and butter.
- Once the chicken is golden brown on both sides, put it on a warm plate, cover it, and set it aside.
- Saute the garlic for a minute or until it’s fragrant. Add the chicken stock and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan to get rid of any bits that are stuck there. Heavy cream and Parmesan cheese should be added to the pan. After letting the sauce cook for a few minutes, add chili flakes and oregano to taste.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Then add the chicken back to the sauce and let it simmer and thicken for a few more minutes.
- Now your Marry Me Chicken is ready! Just add some chopped fresh basil leaves on top and serve it hot over rice or pasta.
What is Marry Me Chicken?
Now let’s talk about the name. It’s a funny name and I’m sure you agree with me. Someone told me that if you make this recipe for your partner, they will fall in love with your cooking right away and ask you to marry them. At first, I didn’t understand what they meant. Who marries whom and why? But it’s said that if you do that, they will immediately propose. Sounds good? Let’s get cooking!
5 Steps To The Perfect Crispy Fried Chicken
FAQ
What is Chinese Amazing Chicken?
Soy sauce, ginger, and garlic are usually mixed together and added to chicken to make Chinese Amazing Chicken. The chicken is then stir-fried or pan-fried until it is cooked through. It is often garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
How to make Chinese Amazing Chicken?
To create Chinese Amazing Chicken, the following cooking process is typically followed: Marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic to infuse it with flavor. Heat a wok or skillet and add sesame oil to impart its characteristic aroma. Add the marinated chicken to the hot pan and cook until it is tender and golden brown.
What are some variations of Chinese Amazing Chicken?
Some popular ways to change Chinese Amazing Chicken are to add vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas to make it more flavorful and add texture. Some recipes also incorporate a sweet and tangy sauce to create a different flavor profile. Was this page helpful?.
What does Chinese Amazing Chicken taste like?
Chinese Amazing Chicken is known for its bold and savory flavors, often achieved through the use of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. The dish is also characterized by its tender and juicy chicken, which is achieved through proper marinating and cooking techniques. Can Chinese Amazing Chicken be made with different types of meat?.
What are the ingredients in Chinese Amazing Chicken?
Chinese Amazing Chicken typically features the following key ingredients: Chicken: The star of the dish, chicken is often diced or sliced before being cooked to perfection. Soy Sauce: This rich and savory condiment adds depth of flavor to the dish. Ginger: Known for its distinctive zing, ginger brings a delightful warmth to the dish.
What goes well with Chinese Amazing Chicken?
Chinese Amazing Chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments, including: Steamed white rice for a simple and satisfying meal. Stir-fried vegetables to add a vibrant and nutritious element to the plate. Chilled cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast to the warm and savory chicken.
What is the most popular Chinese chicken dish?
Kung Pao chicken is one of the most popular Chinese recipes, if not the most. Tender, crunchy and spicy, this Asian chicken recipe is a whole package. Follow the recipe on Once Upon A Chef to see how to make Kung Pao Chicken at home.
What is the best meal to order from Chinese takeaway?
The 15 Most Popular Chinese Dishes, Tasty Chinese FoodBeijing Roasted Duck. Kung Pao Chicken. Sweet and Sour Pork. Hot Pot. Cantonese Dim Sum. Dumplings. Ma Po Tofu. Cantonese Char Siu.
How to make chicken taste amazing?
Try varying the seasonings, in addition to the salt, pepper and garlic. Lemonjuice and thyme, turmeric and chili flakes, ground cumin and tomato paste, soy sauce and ginger. Maybe add some sauces, like tomato sauce, tsatsiki, thai curry paste in coconut milk.
What is the difference between General Tso and Hunan chicken?
Both Hunan chicken and General Tso’s chicken are popular Chinese American dishes, but they are made and taste different.