Oyster Sauce Chicken
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This incredibly delicious Oyster Sauce Chicken is a quick and easy way to bring a little taste of Chinese take-out to your dinner table! With tender chicken, vibrant crisp veggies, and the perfect combination of garlic, ginger, and umami packed oyster sauce, this tasty dish delivers restaurant quality flavor with every bite!
Delicious Oyster Sauce Chicken
I’m so excited to share with you one of the all-time favorites from my blog’s culinary vault, a recipe that’s been loved and relished by my readers for over a decade – my Oyster Sauce Chicken! This dish has held a special place in my foodie heart for its unique fusion of flavors, blending the best of sweet, salty, and umami notes to tantalize your taste buds.
Made with tender chicken strips, vibrant bell peppers, crispy snow peas, and a robust sauce combining garlic, ginger, soy, and oyster sauces, this recipe is as delightful to prepare as it is to devour. Time and again, it has proven itself as the perfect go-to for those weeknight dinners when you need something both comforting and extraordinary on your table. You are going to be amazed at how effortlessly you can create a restaurant-worthy chicken stir fry right in the comfort of your own home!
Why You’ll Love This Oyster Sauce Chicken
- Quick and Easy! This recipe is a total lifesaver for those busy days when you’re craving a delicious meal but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. With just 30 minutes of your time, this easy stir fry can be ready to serve.
- Authentic Asian Flavor! The combination of savory oyster sauce, pungent garlic, and zingy ginger coats the tender chicken and crisp veggies with layers of incredible Asian flavor that is sure to curb your craving for Chinese take-out.
- Family Favorite! Searching for a healthy and filling recipe that will please even the pickiest eaters? Loved by both kids and adults alike, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that is sure to have everyone asking for seconds.
- Chicken – You’ll need some boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Bell Peppers – They add a little sweetness to the dish. I used both red bell pepper and yellow bell pepper but you can use any kind of bell peppers you have on hand.
- Snow Peas – Provide a delightful bit of crunch and a touch of freshness. Sugar snap peas can be used as a substitute.
- Onion – I always use brown onions for stir fry but any type of onion you have on hand will work.
- Olive Oil – Used for sautéing the chicken and vegetables. If preferred, you can substitute it for vegetable oil, peanut oil, or sesame oil.
- Oyster Sauce – The star ingredient that brings a rich umami taste to the dish. If needed, you can substitute it with hoisin sauce or dark soy sauce.
- Garlic and Ginger Paste – For convenience, I used store-bought garlic paste and ginger paste to add layers of aromatic and pungent flavor. However, you can also use freshly minced garlic and grated ginger.
- However, you can also use freshly minced garlic and grated ginger.
- Soy Sauce – Adds an extra savory and salty element to the dish that complements the oyster sauce. Gluten-free tamari is another option.
- Dark Soy Sauce: It imparts a richer, sweeter, and slightly thicker touch to the dish compared to regular soy sauce. Dark soy sauce deepens the color of the dish, too. If unavailable, you could use more of the regular soy sauce with a touch of molasses or brown sugar for a similar effect.
- Rice Wine Vinegar – Provides a touch of acidity to balance the savory flavors and brighten the overall taste. Apple cider vinegar is a good substitute.
- Seasonings – Salt and black pepper are used for seasoning.
- Water – Used to slightly dilute and thin out the sauce.
- Basil – Make sure to use fresh basil to garnish the dish and add a final touch of fresh herbaceous flavor. Fresh cilantro is another good choice.
Don’t let the list of ingredients fool you! This stir fry recipe is super quick and easy to make! In just 30 minutes, you can have a flavorful and satisfying meal.
To begin, you need to make the sauce that also works as a marinade. Whisk the oyster sauce, garlic paste, ginger paste, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil together in a large bowl. Then transfer half of the mixture into a smaller dish and mix it together with the quarter cup of water.
Next, add the chicken strips to the large bowl with the marinade. Then toss them around until you’ve fully coated all the pieces in the sauce. Now, let the raw chicken marinate for 10 minutes and become infused with layers of yummy Asian flavor.
After you’ve marinated the chicken, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Next, add the chicken to the hot oil and saute it for about 5 to 6 minutes or until it’s fully cooked and starting to brown. Then remove it from the pan and set it aside for now.
Now, in the same skillet, add the sliced onion and sauté it until it becomes translucent. You can add a little oil if needed. Next, add the bell peppers, snow peas, and remaining sauce in the small dish and cook the mixture for a couple more minutes.
Then once the sauce begins to thicken, add the cooked chicken and toss everything together.
When the oyster sauce chicken is ready, serve it over hot rice and garnish it with some fresh basil leaves. It’s also super yummy served over sesame noodles or cauliflower rice!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I add to this stir fry?
You can pretty much add anything you like! Some great options are other veggies like mushrooms, broccoli, and green onions. You can also use any type of protein you like in place of the chicken.
Is oyster sauce made of oysters?
Yes! It’s primarily made of oyster juices, salt, and sugar. So if you have shellfish allergies you should steer clear.
Is oyster sauce fishy?
Unlike fish sauce, oyster sauce does not have a fishy smell or flavor. The taste of oyster sauce is salty and savory with just a touch of sweetness.
Expert Tips
- Marinate longer for maximum flavor. If you allow the chicken to marinate a little longer, it will result in more flavorful oyster sauce chicken.
- Use high heat and saute. When stir-frying, it’s essential to cook your ingredients at a high heat while constantly moving them around the pan. This ensures that the chicken and vegetables retain their texture and develop a delicious sear.
- Make it spicy. Add some sriracha to the sauce for a bit of heat or garnish the dish with some red pepper flakes.
- Any protein can be used. You can also use pork, beef, shrimp, or tofu in addition to or in place of the chicken.
Storage
You can store leftover oyster sauce chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, you can also freeze the stir fry in a freezer-safe container or sealed bag for up to 3 months. Then just let it thaw out overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Other Delicious Asian Recipes To Try
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Oyster Sauce Chicken
Video
Ingredients
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon garlic ginger paste (if you don’t have this, fresh garlic and ginger work)
- salt and pepper ( to taste)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Stir Fry
- 3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, cut into small strips)
- ½ medium red bell pepper (sliced)
- ½ medium yellow bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 cup snow peas (a handful, ends trimmed)
- 1 large onion (sliced)
- fresh basil (for garnish)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, oyster sauce, garlic and ginger paste, soy sauces, rice wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Separate half of this mixture into a smaller bowl and dilute it with water. Set aside.
- Submerge the chicken strips in the remaining marinade in a large bowl. Ensure every piece is coated evenly and let it rest for approximately 10 minutes.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Introduce the marinated chicken pieces to the skillet and sauté until they are cooked through and have obtained a slight browning. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and reserve it for later.
- In the same skillet, sauté the onions until they become translucent. If necessary, add more oil. Next, incorporate the sliced bell peppers and trimmed snow peas, along with the reserved marinade from the small bowl. Stir frequently and cook until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the skillet and thoroughly mix it with the vegetables and sauce.
- Dish out the chicken over a bed of rice and garnish with basil for a final touch.
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include rice.
- Marinating Time: While 10 minutes is the minimum, you can marinate the chicken up to overnight for more intense flavor.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to swap in your favorite veggies, such as broccoli or snap peas.
- Protein Substitution: Try this recipe with shrimp or tofu for a change!
- Serving Suggestion: This dish is perfect over jasmine or basmati rice, and even better the next day as leftovers!
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Enjoy!
