Chop Suey Delight: Quick, Customizable Comfort Food Recipe
Chop Suey Delight is a quick and customizable comfort food recipe featuring a vibrant medley of chicken, beef, and pork stir-fried with fresh vegetables and a savory sauce. Bursting with umami flavors from oyster sauce and enhanced by Shaoxing wine, this dish offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Ideal for a hearty weeknight meal, it can be easily adapted with tofu for vegetarians and pairs wonderfully with steamed rice.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Halal
Meats and Protein
- 1 pound Chicken Breast (Substitute with tofu for vegetarian option.)
- 1 pound Beef (sliced) (Use tender cuts for optimal flavor.)
- 1 pound Pork (char siu) (Adds a rich, sweet flavor.)
Vegetables
- 8 ounces Mushrooms (white button or baby bella) (Adds umami and texture.)
- 1 cup Carrot (Provides sweetness and crunch.)
- 1 cup Celery (Adds crunch and flavor.)
- 2 cups Bok Choy (Nutrient-rich and colorful.)
- 1 cup Mung Bean Sprouts (Brings freshness to the dish.)
- 1 cup Snow Peas (Sweet and crunchy addition.)
Sauces and Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons Oyster Sauce (Swap with soy sauce for vegetarian version.)
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing Wine (Enhances flavor.)
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (Opt for low-sodium for a healthier option.)
- 1 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce (Adds deeper flavor.)
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar (Balancing flavor.)
- 1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil (Optional but recommended.)
- 1 teaspoon White Pepper (Offers subtle heat.)
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch (Essential for a perfect finish.)
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil (For stir-frying.)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Freshly chopped is always best.)
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, combine sliced chicken breast with water, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 10 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Coat Chicken: Add vegetable oil and cornstarch to the marinated chicken and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly. This helps achieve a tender texture when stir-fried.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together oyster sauce, soy sauce, and granulated sugar until the sugar dissolves, creating a flavorful stir-fry sauce.
- Heat Wok: Place a wok over high heat until hot, then add vegetable oil and wait until it shimmers, indicating it’s ready for stir-frying.
- Cook Chicken: Add the coated chicken to the hot wok and stir-fry quickly until the pieces turn lightly golden and are nearly cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same wok, add a splash of oil, then add freshly chopped garlic. Stir and sauté until fragrant but not burnt, about 30 seconds.
- Add Vegetables: Toss in mushrooms, carrots, and celery first, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes, then add the bok choy and continue cooking until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Deglaze Wok: Pour in Shaoxing wine to deglaze the wok, scraping the bottom to lift any browned bits and enhance flavor. Stir well to combine.
- Add Sauce and Remaining Vegetables: Pour the prepared sauce into the wok. Add mung bean sprouts and snow peas, stirring everything together to coat evenly.
- Combine Protein: Return the cooked chicken back to the wok, mixing it with the vegetables and sauce thoroughly.
- Thicken Sauce: Mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry, then pour it into the wok. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients beautifully.
- Finish and Serve: Optionally drizzle toasted sesame oil for extra aroma, toss lightly, and serve the chop suey hot over steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu and replace oyster sauce with an equal amount of soy sauce.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce sodium content and make the dish healthier.
- Ensure the wok is very hot before stir-frying to maintain crisp textures and enhance flavors through quick cooking.
- If Shaoxing wine is unavailable, dry sherry or mirin can be used as substitutes.
- Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preference for sweetness balance.
Keywords: chop suey, stir-fry, Chinese comfort food, chicken stir-fry, mixed vegetables, quick dinner, customizable recipe, healthy stir-fry