Description
Succulent braised chicken with chili peppers delivers a spicy Mexican-inspired culinary journey through bold, tender flavors. Hearty and warming, this dish brings complex heat and rich comfort to your dinner table with remarkable depth and authentic regional character.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken wings, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Chilies:
- 2–3 green chilies, sliced (adjust to taste)
- 2–3 red chilies, sliced (adjust to taste)
- 1-inch ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ cup chicken broth (optional, adds richness)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Infuse the chicken with savory depth by gently massaging it with soy sauce, allowing the flavors to penetrate for a quarter-hour.
- Create a vibrant sauce by whisking together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water in a separate vessel, setting it aside to meld the flavors.
- Transform the chicken with high-heat searing in a wok, cooking until the exterior develops a golden-brown crust, then temporarily remove from the cooking surface.
- Awaken the aromatic foundation by sautéing finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger, releasing their intense fragrance into the cooking environment.
- Introduce sliced green and red chilies, quickly tossing them to develop their fiery essence and integrate with the existing aromatics.
- Reunite the chicken with the spice-laden base, cascading the prepared sauce over the protein and ensuring complete coverage. Supplement with chicken broth to create a luxurious braising liquid.
- Reduce heat and allow the dish to simmer gently, covered, until the chicken becomes supremely tender and the sauce reaches a luscious, clingy consistency.
- Elevate the final presentation by drizzling with nutty sesame oil and scattering fresh green onions across the surface, creating a visually appealing and flavor-rich dish best enjoyed with steamed rice.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by selecting milder or hotter chili peppers depending on personal heat tolerance.
- Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diners.
- Lower the sodium content by choosing low-sodium soy sauce and reducing added salt during marination.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg