Craving comfort in a bowl? Chinese rice soup, or congee, is a surprisingly simple dish packed with flavor and endless customization options.
Get ready to unlock the secrets to this culinary staple and transform humble rice into a satisfying and delicious meal!
What You'll Need
Alright, so you're wanting to whip up some Chinese Chicken Satay Stir Fry, right? First, you're gonna need 8 oz—that's about 250g—of chicken breast. Want that legit Chinese restaurant feel? Grab ¾ tsp of baking soda!
For the satay zing, I use ½ tsp each of coriander and cumin powder. Then, ¼ tsp each of turmeric and chili powder—not that US chili powder, though! Add 1 ½ tsp of curry powder, ½ tsp of salt, and a dash—¼ tsp—of white pepper for some extra kick!
The sauce? Easy peasy! Grab 1 ½ tbsp of smooth peanut butter, 2 tsp of brown sugar, 1 tsp of light soy sauce, 2 tsp of rice vinegar, and 2 tsp of Sriracha. Then, ½ tsp of lemongrass paste… trust me, it's a game changer! Finally, ⅓ cup of full-fat coconut milk and ¼ cup of water.
Lastly, for the stir fry itself, you'll need 1 tbsp of peanut oil, one finely chopped onion, and two minced garlic cloves. This recipe, like many satay dishes, depends on fresh, vibrant vegetables for the perfect stir fry. Shallots or scallions are optional—but I like them!
Cooking Process
So, you wanna kick things off with the chicken—totally optional, but trust me, it's worth it!—and if you're going for it, slice that 8 oz of chicken breast lengthwise, then thinly. Now, if you're feeling fancy, give it a quick 20-minute bath with 3/4 tsp of baking soda. Rinse it off really well. The addition of sesame oil would give the chicken amazing flavor! Next, we're onto the satay seasoning! Sprinkle 1 tsp over that chicken, give it a good mix, and let it chill for about 10 minutes—or skip it if you're impatient, like me sometimes! Meanwhile, in a bowl mix up the sauce ingredients.
- 1 1/2 tbsp of smooth peanut butter
- 2 tsp of brown sugar
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp Sriracha!
Don't forget 1/3 cup of coconut milk and 1/4 cup of water!
Heat 1 tbsp of peanut oil in your wok or skillet over high heat. Toss in 1 chopped onion and those 2 minced garlic cloves—stir fry for a minute. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 2 minutes until it is looking good. Then, reduce the heat and pour in that yummy sauce! Stir fry until everything comes together, and it has reduced.
Variations
Let's explore into ways to shake up this already awesome dish! I've found a couple of cool variations.
First, consider your proteins. I love using chicken, but you could swap it out! Shrimp is fantastic – just make sure it's cooked. Tofu? Yeah, that works too. Press it first to remove excess water, then cube it and stir-fry it.
Next up: veggies. Get creative! I usually stick to green onions, but feel free to add some diced carrots or peas. A little corn can even make it sweet. Seriously, experiment!
Spices! I think it is cool to add a pinch of chilli powder (¼ tsp) for some heat, that is, if you are brave but don't add too much. Some ginger, around ½ tsp freshly grated, can add warmth. It is your soup so you can tweak it to whatever you like! Pretty cool, huh?
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving this Chinese stir-fry, I've got some ideas that'll make your meal even better! It's super versatile, so don't feel limited – think of it as a jumping-off point for your culinary adventures!
Let's delve into some yummy options:
- Rice Bowl Bliss: Serve over fluffy white rice or cauliflower rice—go low carb!
- Noodle Nirvana: Toss with your favorite noodles – egg noodles work terrific, creating a satisfying meal.
- Lettuce Wrap Extravaganza: Spoon it into crisp lettuce cups – a fantastically fresh twist!
- Soup Sensation: Add broth for an easy soup, perfect for a chilly evening!
Don't be afraid to get creative! Garnish with sliced shallots or scallions for a pop of colour. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a nutty crunch, too. I think you'll find it's an excellent and easy recipe that can be customized to your liking. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do.
Short Recipe Version
Chinese Rice Soup
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serving size: 4
Ingredients:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup chopped cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine chicken broth, carrots, celery, and onion in a pot. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
- Add cooked rice, cooked chicken, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
- Simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Estimated):
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 20g