Chicken with Ginger Sauce

Chicken with Ginger Sauce Recipe from Saudi Arabia

Region / culture: Saudi Arabia | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Chicken with Ginger Sauce is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breast with a sweet and tangy ginger sauce. This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, and is sure to impress your family and friends.

History

The origins of Chicken with Ginger Sauce are not entirely clear, but ginger has been used in cooking for thousands of years. Ginger is known for its unique flavor and health benefits, and is commonly used in Asian cuisine. This recipe likely originated in China or another Asian country, where ginger is a staple ingredient in many dishes.

Ingredients

520 g chicken breast (skinned and deboned)
220 g sliced peach in light syrup
30 g cornstarch
0.5 tsp grated ginger
dash of salt
2 cups hot cooked rice
120 g cooked peas
100 g sliced water chestnuts

How to prepare

Spray a skillet with nonstick spray coating.
Preheat the skillet.
Add the chicken.
Cook for 10 minutes, turning to brown evenly.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep it warm.
Meanwhile, drain the peaches, reserving the juice.
Add enough water to the juice to make 0.5 cup, then stir in the cornstarch, ginger, and salt.
Add the mixture to the skillet.
Cook and stir until thickened, then cook and stir for 1 more minute.
Gently stir in the peaches and water chestnuts.
Heat through.
On a serving platter, arrange the rice, peas, and chicken.
Pour the sauce over the chicken.

Variations

Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breast for a richer flavor.
Add diced bell peppers or broccoli to the dish for added color and nutrients.
Use pineapple chunks instead of peaches for a tropical twist.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to slice the chicken breast thinly to ensure even cooking.

- Make sure to preheat the skillet before adding the chicken to ensure a nice sear.

- Don't overcook the chicken, as it can become tough and dry.

- Adjust the amount of ginger to suit your taste preferences.

- Serve the dish with hot cooked rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the Chicken with Ginger Sauce over hot cooked rice for a complete meal.

- Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.

- Pair with steamed vegetables or a side salad for a nutritious and satisfying meal.

Cooking Techniques

Searing the chicken breast before adding the sauce helps to lock in the juices and create a flavorful crust.

- Thickening the sauce with cornstarch creates a glossy and velvety texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch instead of cornstarch for thickening the sauce.

- Substitute honey or brown sugar for the syrup for a different flavor profile.

Make Ahead Tips

You can marinate the chicken in the ginger sauce overnight for even more flavor.

- Cook the chicken ahead of time and reheat it in the sauce just before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the chicken slices on a bed of rice and top with the ginger sauce for an elegant presentation. - Garnish with fresh cilantro or basil leaves for a pop of color.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair this dish with a crisp white wine, such as a Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc.

- Serve with a side of steamed jasmine rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

350

Carbohydrates

- Total Carbohydrates: 45g

- Dietary Fiber: 4g

- Sugars: 12g

Fats

- Total Fat: 5g

- Saturated Fat: 1g

- Trans Fat: 0g

Proteins

- Protein: 30g

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin A: 10% DV

- Vitamin C: 20% DV

- Calcium: 4% DV

- Iron: 15% DV

Alergens

This recipe contains soy and wheat allergens.

Summary

This dish is a good source of protein and vitamins, but is moderate in carbohydrates and fats. It is a well-balanced meal that can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet.

Summary

Chicken with Ginger Sauce is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. With a flavorful ginger sauce and tender chicken breast, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Serve over hot cooked rice and enjoy the sweet and tangy flavors of this classic recipe.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of discovering this recipe for the first time is a happy one. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl learning to cook from my own grandmother. She was a wonderful cook, always experimenting with new flavors and techniques in the kitchen. One day, she invited me to help her prepare a special dinner for the family. As we worked together, she shared with me a recipe that she said had been passed down through generations in our family: Chicken with Ginger Sauce.

I watched in awe as my grandmother deftly chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger. The kitchen was filled with the warm, spicy aroma of the ingredients coming together in the pan. I asked her where she had learned to make this dish, and she smiled and told me a story that I will never forget.

She said that many years ago, when she was a young bride, she had traveled to a small village in the mountains of China with her new husband. They were welcomed into the home of a local family, who had prepared a feast in their honor. The centerpiece of the meal was a dish of succulent chicken smothered in a rich, fragrant ginger sauce.

My grandmother was so taken with the dish that she asked the family matriarch for the recipe. The woman smiled and beckoned her into the kitchen, where she patiently showed her how to prepare the dish step by step. My grandmother watched and listened, taking careful notes in her mind so that she could recreate the recipe when she returned home.

As she shared this story with me, I could see the joy and nostalgia in her eyes. She told me that she had made the dish for my grandfather on their first anniversary, and he had declared it the best meal he had ever tasted. From that day on, Chicken with Ginger Sauce had become a staple in our family's recipe collection.

As we finished preparing the dish together, my grandmother handed me a taste of the sauce to try. The flavors exploded on my tongue – the sharp bite of the ginger, the sweetness of the soy sauce, the richness of the chicken broth. It was a symphony of flavors that I had never experienced before.

That evening, as we sat down to dinner with the rest of the family, I watched as they took their first bites of the Chicken with Ginger Sauce. Their eyes widened in delight, and they let out exclamations of approval. My grandmother beamed with pride, knowing that she had passed down this treasured recipe to yet another generation.

Over the years, I have continued to make Chicken with Ginger Sauce for my own family. Each time I prepare it, I am transported back to that day in my grandmother's kitchen, learning the recipe for the first time. I can still hear her voice guiding me through the steps, her hands deftly working the ingredients into a harmonious whole.

I have made a few tweaks of my own to the recipe over the years, adding a touch of honey for sweetness and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat. But the heart of the dish – the ginger, the soy sauce, the chicken – remains the same. It is a recipe that has stood the test of time, bringing joy and comfort to all who taste it.

As I grow older, I realize that the true magic of cooking lies not just in the flavors and techniques, but in the stories and memories that are passed down through the generations. And so, as I prepare Chicken with Ginger Sauce for my grandchildren, I share with them the story of how I learned to make it – a story of love, tradition, and the simple joy of sharing a meal with those we hold dear.