The Irresistible Empress Chicken Recipe: A Royal Feast at Home

Crispy, golden empress chicken has been my go-to comfort meal since discovering its incredible flavor profile.

Delicate spices dance across tender meat, creating a symphony of taste that surprises even seasoned cooks.

Restaurant-quality dishes often seem complicated, but this recipe breaks down complex techniques into simple steps.

My kitchen experiments revealed surprising shortcuts that make preparing this dish remarkably straightforward.

Friends always request seconds when I serve this vibrant, saucy creation that looks impressive yet takes minimal effort.

Chinese-inspired flavors burst through each perfectly coated bite, promising a meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

You will love how quickly this recipe comes together, turning an ordinary dinner into something truly special.

Grab your apron and let the culinary adventure begin!

What You’ll Need For Empress Chicken Recipe

• Chicken: A protein-rich main ingredient that provides the foundation for the dish, best when using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.

• Cornstarch, Flour: Creates a crispy, light exterior that helps seal in moisture for the chicken.
• Eggs, Water: Helps the coating stick to the chicken and creates a smooth binding layer.

• Chicken Broth, Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Provides a rich, complex base for the sauce with deep umami flavors.
• Rice Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Honey: Balances the sauce with sweet and tangy notes.
• Sesame Oil, Garlic, Ginger: Adds aromatic depth and traditional Asian-inspired flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a subtle heat and spiciness to the dish.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Adds fresh color, texture, and additional layer of flavor to the finished dish.

Steps To Cook Empress Chicken Recipe Right

Step 1: Prepare Crispy Chicken Coating

• Cornstarch
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

• Eggs
• Cold water

Step 2: Dredge Chicken Pieces

Dunk each chicken piece into the egg wash, then roll generously in the seasoned flour mixture. Shake off any excess coating to ensure a light, crispy finish.

Step 3: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet until shimmering. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in small batches. Fry until the exterior turns a gorgeous golden-brown and the inside becomes wonderfully juicy. Transfer to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Craft Magical Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic
• Freshly grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

Create a quick cornstarch slurry and stir it into the simmering sauce. Watch as the liquid transforms into a glossy, luxurious coating that clings perfectly to the chicken.

Step 6: Coat and Celebrate

Toss the crispy chicken pieces in the vibrant sauce, ensuring each piece is generously covered with the mouthwatering glaze.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Thinly sliced green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds

Serve immediately alongside steamed white rice or a crisp vegetable medley. Enjoy the explosion of flavors that make this Empress Chicken truly royal!

Tips To Master Empress Chicken Recipe

• Perfecting the Coating: Shake off excess flour mixture to ensure a light, crispy exterior that won't become soggy when sauced.
• Oil Temperature Mastery: Use a thermometer to maintain 350°F for even, golden-brown chicken without burning or undercooking.
• Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust sweet and savory elements by gradually adding brown sugar or soy sauce to match your taste preference.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend for a celiac-friendly version of the dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken and sauce separately, storing them refrigerated, and reheat quickly just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.

Storage Tips For Empress Chicken Recipe

• Refrigerate leftover Empress Chicken in an airtight container for maximum freshness up to 3-4 days.
• Keep the chicken and sauce separate to prevent sogginess, maintaining that delightful crispy texture.
• Gently reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to restore the chicken's crispness and prevent drying out.
• Freeze individual portions in sealed containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months, ensuring you remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.

Perfect Sides With Empress Chicken Recipe

• Elevate with Crisp White Wine: Pair the empress chicken's rich, sweet-spicy sauce with a chilled Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. These light, bright wines cut through the dish's richness while complementing its complex flavor profile.
• Match with Refreshing Asian Beer: Grab a cold Tsingtao, Sapporo, or Asahi to balance the chicken's crispy texture and bold sauce. The light, crisp beer provides a perfect counterpoint to the sweet-savory glaze.
• Serve alongside Ginger-Scallion Rice: Create a harmonious side by preparing steamed rice with fresh ginger and chopped green onions. This accompaniment echoes the recipe's flavor notes and adds textural contrast to the saucy chicken.
• Complement with Cucumber Salad: Prepare a quick pickled cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds. Its cool, tangy crunch provides a refreshing break from the chicken's intense flavors and helps cleanse the palate.

Delicious Spins On Empress Chicken Recipe

• Spicy Kickback Chicken: Add extra red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to intensify heat levels and create a bold, fiery version of the original recipe.
• Herb-Infused Edition: Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil into the flour mixture for an aromatic and earthy flavor profile that elevates the chicken's taste.
• Light and Lean Version: Replace deep-frying with baking or air-frying techniques to reduce oil content, making the dish healthier without compromising crispy texture.
• Asian Fusion Fusion: Swap hoisin sauce with Korean gochujang or Thai chili paste to introduce unique regional flavor nuances and create a more complex sauce character.

Empress Chicken Recipe FAQ Section

• What makes Empress Chicken different from other chicken dishes?

Empress Chicken stands out with its unique combination of crispy fried chicken coated in a rich, complex sauce that blends sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors from ingredients like hoisin, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes.

• Is this recipe authentically Chinese?

While inspired by Chinese-American cuisine, this Empress Chicken is more of a fusion dish that combines traditional Asian cooking techniques with modern flavor profiles, creating a delicious cross-cultural meal.

• Can I make this dish less spicy?

Absolutely! Simply reduce or omit the red pepper flakes if you prefer a milder sauce. The other ingredients will still provide plenty of robust flavor without the heat.

• Do I need any special cooking equipment to make this recipe?

No special equipment is required. You’ll just need a standard frying pan, saucepan, bowls for coating the chicken, and basic kitchen utensils to create this delicious dish.

What Makes Empress Chicken Recipe Full Of Flavor

• Quickly Crisp Up Chicken: This recipe delivers perfectly crispy chicken with a simple two-step coating process that guarantees a golden, crunchy exterior every single time.
• Sauce That Packs a Flavor Punch: The homemade sauce combines sweet, tangy, and spicy elements with ingredients like hoisin, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes, creating a restaurant-quality taste that will wow your taste buds.
• Weeknight Dinner Champion: With just 30 minutes from start to finish, this empress chicken becomes an easy go-to meal that impresses family and feels like a takeout treat without the delivery wait or expense.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels by changing red pepper flakes, swap protein options, or serve with different sides to make this recipe uniquely yours while keeping the delicious core technique intact.

Empress Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent empress chicken dances with bold Chinese flavors, promising an authentic culinary journey through delicate spices and tender meat. Crispy exterior and rich sauce invite home cooks to savor restaurant-quality elegance with simple yet masterful preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating and Dry Ingredients:

• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¼ cup water
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Sauce Ingredients:

• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Create a seasoned coating by blending cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in a wide mixing vessel. Separately whisk eggs with water to form a smooth binding liquid.
2. Meticulously dredge each chicken piece through the egg wash, ensuring complete coverage, then generously coat with the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breading.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet until shimmering. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, maintaining consistent temperature. Fry each batch until achieving a deep golden-brown exterior and crisp texture, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack lined with paper towels, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining crispiness.
5. Construct the signature sauce by combining chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan.
6. Bring sauce ingredients to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously to prevent scorching and help flavors meld harmoniously.
7. Thicken the sauce by whisking in a cornstarch slurry, cooking until the mixture reaches a glossy, smooth consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
8. Gently fold the crispy chicken pieces into the warm sauce, ensuring each morsel is luxuriously glazed.
9. Garnish with finely sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added visual appeal and textural contrast.
10. Present immediately alongside steamed jasmine rice or roasted seasonal vegetables for a complete dining experience.

Notes

• Achieve a perfectly crispy coating by ensuring the oil is hot enough before frying, around 350-375°F, which prevents the chicken from becoming greasy.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free flour blend for those with dietary restrictions.
• Balance the sauce’s sweetness by adjusting brown sugar and honey levels to suit personal taste preferences, making the dish more versatile for different palates.
• Enhance the chicken’s tenderness by marinating it in buttermilk or yogurt for 30 minutes before coating, resulting in a more succulent and flavorful bite.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg