Chinese

Bourbon Chicken

Homemade Chinese food is one of our favorite things to eat. We have Chinese night every Friday night at our house and this Bourbon Chicken is one of our most frequently made recipes. We made it for a Chinese dinner party once and it was a huge hit with our friends as well. I like to pair it with plain white rice (so we can eat it with the extra yummy Bourbon sauce) or vegetable fried rice. It’s super simple to make and no fancy ingredients required!

Bourbon Chicken

sofiyababinov
Homemade Chinese food is one of our favorite things to eat. We have Chinese night every Friday night at our house and this Bourbon Chicken is one of our most frequently made recipes. We made it for a Chinese dinner party once and it was a huge hit with our friends as well. I like to pair it with plain white rice (so we can eat it with the extra yummy Bourbon sauce) or vegetable fried rice. It’s super simple to make and no fancy ingredients required!
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Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 8
Calories 578 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 LB Chicken Breast or Thighs cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 3 1/2 TBS Cornstarch divided
  • 3 TBS Oil to fry the chicken

Bourbon Sauce

  • 1 Cup Chicken Broth I make my own with Better Then Bouillon
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1/4 Cup Bourbon
  • 2/3 Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 1/3 Cup Ketchup
  • 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar
  • 2 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Power
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger

Instructions
 

  • Cut chicken breasts or thighs into 1 inch pieces. Transfer to a big bowl. Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 2 TBS Cornstarch. Mix well.
  • Add all the Bourbon sauce ingredients into a big bowl and mix well. Set it aside.
  • Heat 3 TBS oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches, until the chicken is cooked through until well done and golden on the outside. I cooked it in 4 batches. Have a plate lined with paper towels to put cooked chicken into, to absorb the extra oil.
  • Once the chicken is all cooked, wipe off the skillet with paper towels, no need to wash it. Add the bourbon sauce and bring to a boil then add in the cooked chicken.
  • Reduce to low heat and let it simmer, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes until the sauce reduces a bit.
  • In a small glass, add 1 TBS water and 1.5 TBS cornstarch and mix well until it becomes a white slurry. Add the cornstarch slurry mixture to the bourbon chicken. Let it simmer a few minutes so the sauce thickens up.

Notes

Serve with white rice (we love pouring the extra Bourbon sauce over it)! This dish reheats well the next day in a skillet on low heat. 
Keyword 30 minutes, chicken, Chinese, easy

Chinese Crab Rangoon’s

AE9DA459-EC22-4AD5-8B87-2D62E91655D9Another popular Chinese food item that I have been craving during Quarantine 2020 is Crab Rangoon’s so we decided to make them at home and I’m so glad we did! These are super easy to make and taste so much better then any Chinese restaurant we’ve tried them at. These make a great appetizer for homemade Chinese night and are the ultimate party appetizer!

Chinese Crab Rangoon’s

sofiyababinov
Better than Chinese restaurant Crab Rangoon's. Easy and simple recipe. The ultimate party appetizer! Great side for homemade Chinese night.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Stuffing the Rangoon’s with filling 20 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Chinese

Ingredients
  

  • 1 12 oz. Pack Nasoya Brand Won Ton Wraps found in refrigerator section in most grocery stores, near vegetables
  • Oil for frying Rangoon's
  • 3 TBS Water

For the Filling:

  • 1 8 oz. Cream Cheese softened
  • 1 8 oz. Pack Imitation Crab Meat Sticks finely chopped
  • 3-4 Scallions green part only, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Soy Sauce
  • 2 tsp Sugar

Optional for dipping Rangoon's:

  • Chili Sauce optional, to serve as a dipping sauce

Instructions
 

  • Mix together all the ingredients for the filling in a big bowl.
  • Set up a Rangoon making station. I lay out a piece of foil, a small container with water and cooking brush, the won ton wraps, and the bowl with filling. Lay out the wonton wrap and put a teaspoon of filling in the middle.
  • Wet the edges of the won ton wrapper all around with water, using a cooking brush.
  • Fold the won ton wrapper over diagonally to form a triangle shape and press to seal tightly so the filling doesn’t come out during the frying process.
  • Once all Crab Rangoon's are filled and sealed, fill a pot with 1-2 inches of cooking oil and heat on low-medium heat.
  • Throw in a few Rangoon's at a time and fry them until golden, about 2 minutes per side (flip them from one side to the other as you fry).
  • Transfer fried Rangoon's to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  • Serve hot, optionally with a side of Chili sauce for dipping.

Notes

These reheat easily! Just stick them in the oven on 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes, flipping from one side to the other. These can definitely be made ahead of time and heated up in the oven right before serving!
Keyword appetizers, Chinese, crab, seafood

Chinese Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

266C81C2-976A-41A9-BE10-ECF4E953430BThese Chinese Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are absolutely delicious! They taste like the Authentic Chinese restaurant/takeout kind. It’s important to get all the right ingredients for this recipe which I will have pictured below and that can be found at an Asian or International store. Also note that this recipe is best if you let the chicken marinate overnight or for at least 6 hours. It literally makes a huge difference and tastes much better and more flavorful if marinated overnight! We had these for dinner 2 days ago and my boys requested them again for dinner tonight. These are great as an appetizer or as part of a homemade Chinese meal. I like to pair them with vegetable fried rice and some steamed veggies on the side.

Chinese Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

sofiyababinov
These Chinese Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are absolutely delicious! They taste like the Authentic Chinese restaurant/takeout kind. It’s important to get all the right ingredients for this recipe which I will have pictured below and that can be found at an Asian market or International store. Also note that this recipe is best if you let the chicken marinate overnight. It literally makes a huge difference and tastes much better and much more flavorful if marinated overnight!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Marinate time 12 hrs
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 3 LB Chicken Thighs boneless/skinless
  • 1 TBS Soy Sauce
  • 1 TBS Sherry Wine
  • 1 TBS Oyster Sauce
  • 1 TBS Hoisin Sauce
  • 1.5 tsp Sesame Oil
  • 4 TBS Bull Head BBQ Sauce Vegetarian one, there are a few different types
  • 3 TBS Pineapple Juice
  • 1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 3/4 tsp Curry Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Ground White Pepper
  • Oil for frying, preferably Peanut Oil

Instructions
 

  • Wash the chicken thighs. Pat them dry with paper towels. Cut into 2 to 3 inch pieces. Set aside in a big bowl.
  • Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a separate big bowl.
  • Pour the marinade mixture into the bowl of chicken. Mix the chicken well with the marinade mixture. Cover the bowl and let it stand and marinate in the fridge for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight for the chicken to be flavorful and very soft. The longer you let it marinate the better it will taste!
  • Let the bamboo skewers soak in water for at least 30 minutes, so they don’t burn while cooking in the oven/pan.
  • Pat the bamboo skewers dry with paper towels. Put the marinated chicken thigh pieces on the skewers.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking rack with foil, spray it with non stick spray or use a brush to spread some oil on the foil.  Put the chicken skewers on the baking sheet and bake on 350 degrees for 20 minutes, then flip the skewers oven to the other side and bake an additional 20 minutes.
  • Heat a pan with peanut oil (or any oil would work, but peanut oil works especially well for this recipe) on medium-high heat and fry each chicken skewer for 1 minute on each side. Set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any  excess oil. Serve hot! If you need to serve later, just keep them warm in the oven on the warm setting or low heat setting.
  • I like to serve these with vegetable fried rice.
  • These are the sauces from the Asian market:
  • These are the spices from the Asian market:
Keyword appetizers, chicken, Chinese, meat

Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

img_0083These teriyaki chicken thighs are a great option if you are craving some chinese takeout but also want to eat healthy too. I came up with this recipe idea myself and made it for dinner when we had friends over. Needless to say, they turned out great! You know The food is good, when people reach for seconds, that’s the best compliment to any chef! These teriyaki chicken thighs are super delicious, restaurant quality and best part is how easy and fast this recipe is. Just make sure you give it at least 8 hours or over night to marinate for best teriyaki flavor! Enjoy!

Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs {Serves 4-6}

Ingredients:

  • 8 Chicken Thighs (Organic, Bone in, Skin on)
  • Seasoning: Salt, Pepper, Garlic Salt, Montreal Chicken Seasoning, Meat Tenderizer Seasoning
  • Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce (1/2 Cup)
  • Korean Teriyaki Sauce (About 1/2 Cup)

 

Directions:

1) Wash the chicken thighs thoroughly. Pat dry with paper towels. On a paper plate or sheet of foil, season both sides of each chicken thigh one at a time. *Keep in mind the Teriyaki marinade and sauce both have salt in them so be careful with the salt and only use a sprinkle of salt. On one side only of the chicken thighs. Transfer seasoned chicken thighs to a big bowl.

2) Pour 1/2 cup of the Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce over the seasoned chicken thighs. Then add 2 Tablespoons of the Korean Teriyaki Sauce also. Mix well. Cover and let it marinate in fridge over night or for at least 8 hours.

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3) When you are ready to cook Teriyaki chicken thighs: Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees. Cover a baking dish with foil, spray the foil with an oil spray. Put the chicken thighs on the foil, leaving space in between each thigh. Bake on 350 Degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

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4) When chicken thighs are done baking, take them out of the oven. Brush the Korean Teriyaki Sauce to top each chicken thigh then stick back in the oven on the Broil setting (500 Degrees) and let it bake for about 5 minutes, this makes the skin very golden and perfectly crispy.

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Great served with rice or baked potatoes and a fresh salad!

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Wonton Soup

dscn4271-2This is the best Wonton soup that my hubby and I have ever tried. I have literally been making this for dinner 3 nights in a row now. It is so tasty I could probably eat it every single day lol. It took me a lot of experimenting and finally, through trial and error I came up with this wonderful recipe. Surprisingly, this Wonton soup is very easy and quick to make. Perfect for busy weekday evenings and great to make ahead as you can make and freeze the wonton’s and make the broth any time you are ready to cook the soup. This is the perfect comfort food for such cold evenings as now, delicious and nutritious! The best part is you can find all these ingredients at any grocery store, so no need to go to international or Asian stores. I am excited to share this recipe with you all!

Wonton Soup {Makes 2 servings}:

Ingredients:

For the soup

  • 2 3/4 Cups Water
  • 2 3/4 Cups Chicken Stock OR Water with 3 teaspoons of Better Then Bullion Chicken Flavored broth paste (That’s what I always use).
  • 2 Green Onions, Cut in halves
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, Cut thin
  • 2 to 3 inches Fresh Ginger, Peeled and Cut into thin slices
  • 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
  • Green Onion & Cilantro (For Garnish)

For Wontons

  • .50 LB Ground Turkey
  • 2 teaspoons Cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons Sherry Cooking Wine
  • 2 teaspoons Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
  • 2 Green Onions, Finely Chopped
  • 1 Garlic Clove, Pressed
  • Wonton Wrappers. I use the Nasoya Brand, (Makes 25 Wontons) for 2 servings but there is enough to make the soup twice (About 50 Won Ton Wrappers) in the pack. I bought the Wonton wrappers in the fridge at our local grocery store by the veggies/salad.
  • Salt/Pepper to taste

dscn4284Directions:

1) Start making the broth first. Make the Better then bullion chicken broth in a pot. You do that by boiling 2 3/4 Cups water and adding the 3 teaspoons of Better Then Bullion Chicken base paste. Turn burner off. Then add the other 2 3/4 Cups water, green onions, ginger, garlic, Soy Sauce and set on High heat until it comes to a boil. When it comes to a boil, close the pot with a lid and cook on Low setting for 15 minutes, then turn off. Let it stand so flavors can blend. *Mean while start working on Wontons.

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2) To make wontons, first mix together all the wonton meat filling ingredients.

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3) Set up a wonton making station. I use a sheet of foil. Put all the wonton dough sheets on the sheet of foil. Have a small cup with water. And a brush (optional) to wet edges of wonton sheet with water. This will make cleaning a much faster process afterwards!

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4) How to make wontons: Put 1 teaspoon meat filling onto wonton dough sheet. Wet the edges with water using the brush (or your finger). Fold the sheet into a triangle. Wet the ends with a dab of water using your finger and stick both ends together, sealing tighly. Set wontons aside, I use a paper plate for easy cleaning.

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5) Open the pot with the broth. Take out the green onion, ginger, and garlic using a slotted spoon and discard. Bring the broth to a boil on High heat. When it comes to a boil, throw in the wontons one by one carefully, then gently mix so they don’t stick. Turn heat down to 7 and cook for 10 minutes.

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Garnish each bowl of soup individually with finely cut cilantro and green onion. Now the Wonton soup is ready to eat!

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Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry

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This beef and broccoli stir fry is just as delicious as it looks. It tastes even better than any Chinese restaurants that I have ever tried. The beef is so soft and tender, the broccoli so refreshing, and pairing it with Jasmine rice is the perfect combination. The sauce is perfect and light. This meal is healthy and tastes great! When I make it, I add extra extra broccoli because my 2 yr old son absolutely loves broccoli and that is pretty much all he eats. I know what your thinking, a 2 yr old who loves eating broccoli? Without me having to make him? That is impossible! But I kid you not, my son would pick broccoli (or any other green vegetable) over other food any day! Yes, we are lucky that he naturally loves his veggies, and he has the cutest way of saying “Boccoli” Lol. Anyhow, next time you are craving this Chinese beef and broccoli rice, Try making it instead of take out. It will be much healthier and you will be very satisfied with how yummy it is!

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry {Serves 8}

Ingredients: ( NOTE that there are more Ingredients below!)

  • 2 LB Beef Tenderloin or Flank Steak ( I used beef tenderloin)
  • 1/2 a pot of water, for boiling
  • 4 Tablespoons Vegetable oil
  • One, About 2 inch piece of Fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into thin pieces
  • 2 LB Broccoli florets
  • *Rice or Jasmine rice* (I used Jasmine rice)

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For the Marinade: 

  • 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
  • 4 teaspoons Sherry cooking wine
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
  • 4 Tablespoons Cornstarch
  • 1/8 teaspoon White pepper

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For the Sauce:

  • 6 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
  • 6 Tablespoons Oyster Sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Sesame Oil
  • 3 teaspoons Sugar
  • 6 teaspoons Corn Starch
  • 24 Tablespoons (1 and 1/2 Cups) water

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Directions:

1) Mix the ingredients for the Marinade in a large bowl and set aside. Wash your beef thoroughly.

2) Cut the beef into thin and small pieces. (As pictured below.)

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3) After you cut all the beef, put it into the bowl with the marinade. Mix it well so that it absorbs the marinade. Let let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. (But it will take longer because it marinates as you do the other steps, so it will marinate for at least half an hour.)

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4) While your meat marinates, Wash the broccoli and cut it. Cut off the stems leaving only a little stem on each floret.

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5) Fill a large pot half way with water and bring it to a boil on High heat. When it boils, add a few drops of oil to the water. Then throw in the broccoli florets.They should take about 2 minutes to cook through. Remove the broccoli using a colander, draining out all the water. Set it aside for later.

6) Cook your rice according to the instructions on the pack. *I like to use Jasmine rice. Especially for this recipe because it tastes great!*

7) While your rice is cooking, Heat 2 Tablespoons of oil in a wok or large skillet, over Medium-High heat(I did 7.5).  * I like to use the wok for this recipe because everything stays in the wok when you mix it.*  Stir fry the beef, mixing it every once in a while, Until the beef is browned on the outside but still a little pink on the inside. Using a large slotted spoon, take out the beef, put in a bowl and set aside for later.

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8) Combine all the ingredients for the Sauce into a bowl and set it aside.

9) Heat 2 more Tablespoons of oil in the wok or skillet, Add the ginger and stir fry it until it is aromatic.

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10) Transfer the beef back into the wok, mixing it, and stir fry until the beef is cooked all the way through and is no longer pink inside. Then add the broccoli. Stir to combine.

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11) Pour the sauce into the wok. Mix well to combine all the ingredients well.

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12) Give the sauce a few minutes to thicken. And it is ready to eat! Serve it over a bed of rice.

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