A fragrant and flavorful stir-fry featuring tender chicken marinated in jasmine tea, crisp vegetables, and a savory sauce, inspired by the popular Cha Mulan menu’s innovative approach to Chinese cuisine.
Cha Mulan: Popular Menu Insights
A fragrant and flavorful stir-fry featuring tender chicken marinated in jasmine tea, crisp vegetables, and a savory sauce, inspired by the popular Cha Mulan menu's innovative approach to Chinese cuisine.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp dried jasmine tea leaves
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup chopped bok choy
- 1/2 cup sliced carrots
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch ginger grated
- 2 tbsp chicken broth
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
Instructions
- Brew jasmine tea: Steep 1 tbsp jasmine tea leaves in 1 cup hot water for 5 minutes. Strain and let cool to room temperature. You'll need about 1/2 cup of the brewed tea.
- Marinate chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with 1/4 cup of the cooled jasmine tea, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp cornstarch. Mix well and let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Prepare sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup jasmine tea, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp chicken broth, and 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar. Set aside.
- Stir-fry chicken: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and stir-fry until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from wok and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: Add garlic and grated ginger to the wok, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add mushrooms, bok choy, and carrots. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Combine: Return cooked chicken to the wok with the vegetables. Pour in the prepared sauce. Toss everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken and vegetables. Serve hot.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with firm tofu. You can also vary the vegetables based on seasonal availability – snap peas, bell peppers, or broccoli florets work wonderfully. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice or noodles.
