Hey there, food lovers! Get ready for a tasty adventure as we reveal the techniques of velveting, an amazing method that will change the way you cook chicken! You must’ve heard of this the first time, right? Well, with our easy recipe you will cook it like you’re a pro at it and have been doing it since years. Prepare yourself for a taste sensation that will be so smooth and rich that every delicious bite will make you crave for more.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into thin, uniform pieces
- 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 egg whites
Let’s start cooking.
Step 1: Prepping the Chicken
Begin this cooking adventure by thoroughly washing your chicken to get rid of any dirty and unnecessary parts. Then carefully slice your chicken into thin, bite-sized pieces. Uniformity is key here.
Step 2: The Velveting Marinade
In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, and sugar. This magical mixture of sauces is the cornerstone of velveting. Pour this mixture over your chicken, ensuring each piece is covered in this flavour-packed marinade. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes, allowing the taste of flavours to be fully absorbed into the chicken and work its wonders.
PRO TIP: One pro tip to increase the tenderness of the chicken is to add a tiny bit of baking soda to the velveting marinade. Since it is alkaline, baking soda can contribute to a softer texture.
To use this expert advice, just throw in a small pinch of baking soda to the marinade mixture before putting the chicken in it.
Step 3: The Egg White Coating
Enter the egg whites to give your chicken the perfect look. Whip those egg whites into a frothy mixture. You can add a pinch of salt and pepper here to elevate the taste. Not doing it would also be fine. Once your chicken has sat in the marinade, dip it into the frothy egg whites. Don’t forget to dip the chicken front and back ensuring a uniform coating. This is the step responsible for the irresistibly velvety texture we’re after.
Step 4: Sizzling Perfection
In a pan, add oil required to cook the chicken. Heat up the vegetable oil in a pan until it is hot. Gently lay each velvety piece into the hot oil, ensuring the pan isn’t overcrowded. Fry about 2-3 minutes per side until a golden brown colour takes over the chicken and it gives a crispy look. You can taste the chicken to experience the velvety texture on your tongue.
Step 5: Chicken off-Heat
Once your chicken is fully cooked, take it off the pan and place it on plate covered with tissues so that all the oil can be absorbed into those tissues.
Step 6: Feeling fancy? Make a Gravy
To create a delicious gravy to compliment your velveting chicken, consider cooking a rich and savoury soy-ginger glaze. It is super easy to prepare and takes only a handful of sauces.
In a saucepan, combine 4-5 spoons of soy sauce, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, a splash of rice broth, and a hint of sweetness from honey or brown sugar. You can adjust the spice by adding red chilli powder or red chilli flakes. Cook the mixture over low heat until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Step 7: Grab a Plate and Dig In!
When your velveting masterpiece is free from oil add it into your gravy and give it a quick mix to cover it fully. For the last seasonings, add a bit of finely chopped green onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds to elevate the look and taste of the dish. Remember, a little goes a long way.
There you go! Your dish is complete and your taste buds are in for a treat.
What is Velveting Chicken?
The technique of “velveting” chicken comes from Chinese cuisine and it turns regular chicken into an exceptionally soft and delicious dish. Usually, the process begins with thinly sliced chicken, usually the breast flesh. After that, these pieces are marinated in a mixture of egg whites, cornflour, and soy sauce.
The chicken is typically cooked quickly after marinating, like stir-frying in oil or blanching in boiling water. This quick cooking process hardens the marinade, leaving the chicken wet but forming a thin, tasty coating around each piece.
Conclusion:
Follow this simple recipe to enjoy a delicious meal. This recipe makes a tasty dinner that’s simple to prepare and hard to forget, regardless of your experience level in the kitchen.
