Easy Empress Chicken (Delicious chinese chicken)

It can be so tempting to order takeout for the perfect Empress Chicken dish.

Fortunately, this savory Chinese chicken can be made at home for less money than any takeout restaurant. With this quick and delicious recipe, you might leave the Chinese menu in the drawer.

It’s that good!

What is Empress Chicken Made Of?

For Chicken

Empress Chicken consists of two parts: the chicken itself and the sauce. The chicken requires the following ingredients:

Chicken breast. Boneless, skinless chicken breast is the easiest to use for this recipe. It will be cut into bite-sized pieces, making the process take longer if you need to remove bones or skin. 

Eggs. In this recipe, the eggs act as the binding agent to coat the chicken. Without eggs, your coating will not stick to the chicken.

Cornstarch. Cornstarch adds an element of tenderness to the breading. While you could skip the cornstarch, using it in this recipe is highly recommended!

Flour. The breading on your chicken is an important component of its flavor and texture. Without breading, your chicken will miss the classic texture of this dish. 

Vegetable oil. It is possible to use a substitute for vegetable oil. But you must consider the heat point of the oil you choose. Peanut oil is another acceptable option. 

Garlic. Can you ever have too much garlic? Some fresh, minced garlic will add a little extra flavor to the chicken. 

Red pepper flakes. Just a little heat should be added to the chicken. If you prefer a spicier meal, you could increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add chili oil to the sauce. 

Green onions. Green onions bring additional color and taste to your meal! Aesthetics can be vital to a great dish, but flavor enhancement brings it all together.

For Sauce

To make the tasty sauce, you will want to use these ingredients:

Honey. Some recipes use honey, while others call for brown sugar. Either way, the sweetness adds a nice layer to the chicken’s spice.

Chicken broth. The chicken broth adds a bit of flavor to the Empress chicken sauce. It also helps with consistency! If you’re out of chicken broth, beef broth or veggie broth will also work.

White vinegar. White vinegar can be swapped out with rice vinegar, but rice vinegar has a slightly sweet flavor and less acidity.

Soy sauce. The many flavors in soy sauce make it an aspect you don’t want to skip in this recipe. It brings a touch of umami and a little bit of saltiness, sweetness, and bitterness to the sauce.

Ginger. Ginger brings a little kick to this dish.

Garlic. Garlic takes this sauce to a new level. Use fresh garlic for the best taste.

Cornstarch. Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce. While the taste won’t change without it, the consistency will be too runny.

Sesame seeds. Sesame seeds add texture to the sauce you don’t want to miss out on. 

How to Make Empress Chicken

Making this Chinese chicken takes less than an hour. Get ready to create a delicious meal in your own kitchen quickly.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 lbs chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¾ cup flour
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ cup green onions, diced

For the Sauce

• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 ¼ cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Whisk together the sauce ingredients, with the exception of the sesame seeds, in a medium-sized bowl. Ensure that the cornstarch dissolves and place it in the fridge.
2. Add vegetable oil to a large skillet and set to medium-high heat. 
3. Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl and add the bite-sized chicken cubes to coat. 
4. In a shallow container, combine the cornstarch and flour and dredge the chicken.
5. Add the coated chicken pieces to the frying pan and cook for about 4-5 minutes until cooked through. You may need to cook it in batches. Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a paper towel-covered plate.
6. Reduce to medium heat. You may need to add a small amount of oil. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the frying pan and saute for approximately 20-30 seconds before returning the chicken to the pan. 
7. Stir the sauce mixture once more and pour it over the chicken. Continue to stir and combine the chicken and the sauce until it thickens. 
8. Remove from heat. Top with sesame seeds and stir, then garnish with the chopped green onions. Enjoy!

What to Serve with Empress Chicken

Empress chicken is a fantastic main dish. Side dishes that go well with it include egg rolls, crab rangoon, or fried rice. Sautéed vegetables or noodles can also be an excellent addition.

Empress Chicken FAQs

What’s the difference between General Tso and Empress chicken?

Many people compare empress chicken to General Tso’s chicken. However, where general Tso has a tangy and spicy flavor, empress chicken is mainly about spice. 

Do you have to use white meat in an Empress Chicken recipe?

Yes, empress chicken is typically made with white meat.

Do you have to fry Empress Chicken?

Empress chicken is traditionally fried, but it can also be baked. If you prefer baking, cook for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165 degrees. 

What does emperor chicken taste like?

Empress chicken boasts a crunchy breading with spicy, savory, and sweet flavors.

More Asian-Inspired Recipes

Miso Salmon Cheesecake Factory

P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wrap

Spicy Peanut Chili Noodles

Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki Turkey Burger

Mongolian Beef Stir Fry

Korean Strawberry Milk

15-Minute Korean Beef

Have questions or suggestions about Empress Chicken? Leave them in the comments below.