Crispy Garlic Chicken

Name: Crispy Garlic Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Asian-American
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1/3 cup cornstarch; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 16 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 2.5 cups vegetable oil (for frying); 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tsp sugar; 1/4 tsp white pepper; 1/2 tsp sesame oil; 2 green onions, sliced; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy, golden crust and tossed with fragrant fried garlic and a savory sauce. A viral TikTok favorite that is irresistible over rice or noodles.

35 minMediumServes 4480 cal/serving

Asian-AmericanDinnerStovetopStandard

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Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
16 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2.5 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp sesame oil
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1

Toss 2 lbs cut into bite-sized pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs with 1/3 cup cornstarch, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
2

Heat 2.5 cups vegetable oil (for frying) to 350°F in a deep pot or Dutch oven. Working in batches, fry chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
3

Carefully pour out most of the oil, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pot. Heat to medium and add 16 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and crispy. Be careful not to burn.
4

Return chicken to the pot. Add 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/4 tsp white pepper. Toss to coat, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
5

Drizzle with 1/2 tsp sesame oil and toss again. Top with 2 sliced green onions and chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately over rice.

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Questions

What temperature do I cook Crispy Garlic Chicken at?

For Crispy Garlic Chicken, the oven is set to 350 F (about 175 C) in step 2.

What can I use instead of oyster sauce in Crispy Garlic Chicken?

The entry for Crispy Garlic Chicken calls for 1 tbsp oyster sauce. In its place: Hoisin thinned with a little soy sauce is the nearest shelf substitute, and a mushroom stir-fry sauce is the vegetarian one. Both are sweeter, so hold back any sugar in the recipe.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in Crispy Garlic Chicken?

Yes, with care. Breasts dry out sooner: pull them at 165 F, which usually means a few minutes less than the thighs would take. As written, the entry for Crispy Garlic Chicken uses 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces.

Is Crispy Garlic Chicken spicy?

Moderately. The heat in Crispy Garlic Chicken comes from 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional). For a milder plate, halve the chili flakes; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Crispy Garlic Chicken gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Crispy Garlic Chicken is 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

How do I store and reheat Crispy Garlic Chicken?

Refrigerate what is left of Crispy Garlic Chicken within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Serve it with

Asian Chicken Salad salad
Coconut Rice (Nigerian Style) side
Tuscan Bread and Tomato Salad with White Beans salad

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