jumping in the chicken

How to Make Chicken Li Beng: A Complete Guide

Chicken Li Beng, a beloved Northern Chinese dish, is celebrated for its tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and savory-sweet sauce. Here’s a step-by-step guide to recreate this flavorful stir-fry at home.

Ingredients:

- 300g boneless chicken breast, cubed

- 100g snow peas, blanched

- 50g carrot slices, blanched

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 tbsp ginger, julienned

- For the sauce: 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water.

Steps:

1. Marinate the chicken: Toss chicken cubes with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and a pinch of white pepper. Let sit for 15 minutes.

2. Stir-fry: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wok over high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry until golden (3-4 minutes). Remove and set aside.

3. Sauté aromatics: In the same wok, stir-fry garlic and ginger until fragrant (30 seconds). Add snow peas and carrots, stir-frying for 1 minute.

4. Combine and sauce: Return chicken to the wok. Pour in the sauce, tossing quickly to coat everything evenly. Cook until the sauce thickens (1-2 minutes).

5. Serve: Transfer to a plate and garnish with sesame seeds. Enjoy with steamed rice!

Tips: For extra crunch, blanch vegetables briefly. Adjust sauce ingredients to taste—more vinegar for tang, more sugar for sweetness. This quick, vibrant dish is perfect for busy weeknights!