Spicy Country-Style Chicken Breasts
Description
This dish delivers a satisfying blend of textures and flavors, featuring tender shredded chicken breast tossed with crisp zucchini, bamboo shoots, and bell peppers. The addition of fresh chiles and chili bean sauce brings a gentle heat and depth that cuts through the richness of the dark soy and peanut oil. It is a quick, protein-packed meal perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty yet light enough to feel fresh. The combination of sweet, savory, and spicy notes makes it a crowd-pleaser that is simple to prepare using pantry staples and fresh produce.Ingredients
Directions
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Cut the chicken breasts into shreds about 3 inches long.
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Cut the fresh chiles in half, carefully remove the seeds, and shred the chiles.
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Rinse the bamboo shoots in clean water and shred them.
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Trim the zucchini and shred it.
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Wash the bell pepper, remove the seeds, and shred it.
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Heat 1 tablespoon of the peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until almost smoking.
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Quickly stir-fry the chicken shreds for 1 minute or until slightly firm, then remove and drain.
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Wipe the wok clean with a paper towel and reheat over high heat.
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Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the hot wok.
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Add the shredded chiles, bamboo shoots, zucchini, and bell pepper.
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Stir-fry the vegetables for about 2 minutes until crisp-tender.
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Add the chicken stock, rice wine (or dry sherry), chili bean sauce, sugar, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, and tomato paste.
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Mix well and stir-fry for another minute to combine the sauce.
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Return the cooked chicken shreds to the wok and give the mixture a few quick stirs to finish cooking the chicken and heat through.
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Transfer immediately to a serving platter and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 237.5kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 11.1g18%
- Saturated Fat 2.3g12%
- Cholesterol 54.9mg19%
- Sodium 546.0mg23%
- Total Carbohydrate 12.4g5%
- Dietary Fiber 3.1g13%
- Sugars 6.5g
- Protein 22.2g45%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Safety Tip: When handling fresh chiles, avoid touching your eyes or sensitive skin, as the oils can cause irritation. Wash hands thoroughly after preparation.
Substitution: If Chinese black rice vinegar is unavailable, you can substitute with a mild balsamic vinegar or a splash of regular rice vinegar, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet to maintain texture.
Tip: For a spicier dish, leave some seeds in the fresh chiles or add a dash of chili oil.