Zesty Scallion Chicken Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Family Favorite

Scallion chicken emerges as a tantalizing culinary creation that revamps ordinary poultry into an extraordinary meal.

Vibrant green onions bring a sharp, refreshing intensity to tender meat, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.

Home cooks treasure this dish for its remarkable simplicity and impressive taste profile.

Marinades infused with aromatic herbs and zesty seasonings elevate the chicken natural succulence.

Traditional Asian cooking techniques ensure each bite delivers maximum deliciousness and textural contrast.

Quick preparation methods make this recipe perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous gatherings.

Families and friends will appreciate the elegant yet approachable nature of this crowd-pleasing dish.

Why Scallion Chicken Packs So Much Flavor in Every Bite

• Burst with Flavor: The combination of soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce creates a rich, umami-packed marinade that infuses the chicken with deep, complex tastes that dance on your palate.
• Quick and Easy Cooking: This one-pan recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute meal preparations.
• Texture Sensation: Pan-frying the chicken creates a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender, with the softened scallions adding a delightful fresh crunch to each bite.
• Versatile Comfort Dish: Easily adaptable to serve with steamed rice or noodles, this scallion chicken brings a comforting Chinese-inspired meal that's both satisfying and incredibly simple to prepare.

Ingredients That Bring Scallion Chicken to Life

• Chicken Thighs: Tender and flavorful meat that absorbs marinades well, boneless cuts recommended for quicker cooking.

• Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami flavor and rich color to the chicken, use traditional Chinese-style soy sauces for authentic taste.
• Oyster Sauce: Adds savory and slightly sweet complexity to the dish, look for high-quality brands.
• Black Pepper: Gives a subtle heat and aromatic spiciness to the meat.
• Corn Starch: Helps create a light coating for chicken, ensuring crispy exterior and helping to seal in moisture.

• Scallions (White and Green Parts): Fresh and sharp flavor that adds brightness to the dish, white parts for cooking and green parts for fresh garnish.
• Cooking Oil: Neutral oil with high smoke point for even and smooth pan-frying, such as vegetable or canola oil.

How to Cook Scallion Chicken That’s Tender and Tasty

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

• Soy sauce
• Dark soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Black pepper
• Corn starch

Gently mix until chicken is evenly coated. Let marinate for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Scallions

While chicken marinates, chop scallions. Separate white and green parts into different sections.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Carefully place marinated chicken pieces into the pan. Cook until chicken turns golden brown and is fully cooked through, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Add Scallion Whites

After chicken is cooked, add white parts of scallions to the pan. Stir and cook until scallion whites soften, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Finish with Scallion Greens

Sprinkle green scallion parts over the chicken. Quickly stir for 10-20 seconds to lightly cook the green parts.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer scallion chicken to a serving plate. Optional: Sprinkle extra black pepper or additional chopped scallions on top. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Tips for Nailing the Flavor of Scallion Chicken

• Maximize Marinade Flavor: Let chicken sit in the soy sauce mixture for the full 10 minutes to ensure deep, rich seasoning penetrates every piece.
• Control Pan Temperature: Keep medium heat consistent to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning the chicken or creating tough meat.
• Separate Scallion Parts Strategically: White parts caramelize and add depth, while green parts provide fresh, bright finish when added last for maximum flavor and color.
• Prevent Dryness: Use chicken thighs for juicier results compared to leaner cuts, and avoid overcooking by checking internal temperature.
• Perfect Pan-Frying Technique: Use non-stick pan and avoid overcrowding to ensure each chicken piece gets crispy, even browning without steaming.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Scallion Chicken

• Refrigerate the scallion chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store the dish for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping the chicken and scallions together to maintain maximum flavor. Reheat carefully in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying out. Stir gently and warm until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, which ensures food safety and keeps the meat tender and juicy. For best results, consume within 2 days and avoid repeated reheating to preserve the chicken's texture and taste.

What to Serve with Scallion Chicken Tonight

• Craft a Zesty Rice Companion: Pair this scallion chicken with jasmine rice to soak up the savory sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors that dance on your palate.
• Boost with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the chicken's delicate scallion notes, cutting through the richness with its bright acidity.
• Enhance with Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a light cucumber and sesame oil salad to provide a cool, crunchy contrast to the warm, tender chicken, adding refreshing texture to the meal.
• Spark with Tangy Dipping Sauce: Whip up a quick dipping sauce using rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a touch of chili oil to elevate the chicken's umami profile and add an extra layer of excitement to each bite.

Flavorful Variations of Scallion Chicken You’ll Want to Try

• Ginger Scallion Sensation: Add fresh minced ginger to the marinade for an extra aromatic and warming flavor profile that complements the chicken beautifully.
• Spicy Sichuan Style: Incorporate chili oil and crushed Sichuan peppercorns into the cooking process to create a bold, fiery version of the classic scallion chicken.
• Citrus Herb Fusion: Introduce lemon zest and fresh thyme to the marinade, creating a bright and herbaceous alternative that lightens the traditional recipe's rich flavors.
• Coconut Milk Comfort: Replace some of the soy sauce with coconut milk to generate a creamy, slightly sweet version that adds a Southeast Asian touch to the dish.

Scallion Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

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

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Description

Sizzling Scallion Chicken showcases Chinese culinary elegance with tender meat glazed in a fragrant green onion sauce. Zesty green scallions and succulent chicken create a harmony of flavors you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 400 grams (14 ounces) chicken thighs

Aromatics and Vegetables:

• 2 cups scallions (chopped, white and green parts separated)

Seasonings and Thickeners:

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• ½ tablespoon dark soy sauce
• ½ tablespoon oyster sauce
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• 2 tablespoons corn starch

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Instructions

1. Combine chicken thighs with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, ground black pepper, and corn starch in a spacious mixing vessel. Allow the meat to absorb the marinade’s flavors for approximately 10 minutes at room temperature.
2. Finely dice the scallions, meticulously separating the white and green segments to ensure distinct flavor layers.
3. Warm of vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until the surface shimmers slightly.
4. Carefully transfer the marinated chicken pieces into the heated pan, arranging them without overcrowding to promote even caramelization.
5. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes, turning periodically to achieve a golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
6. Introduce the white scallion segments into the skillet, stirring gently to soften and integrate their aromatic essence with the chicken.
7. If the chicken pieces are larger or bone-in, reduce heat and cover the pan, allowing thorough cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes.
8. Sprinkle the vibrant green scallion tops over the dish, quickly tossing for 15-20 seconds to preserve their fresh, crisp texture.
9. Transfer the fragrant scallion chicken to a serving platter, optionally garnishing with additional ground black pepper or fresh scallion ribbons.
10. Present the dish alongside steamed jasmine rice or delicate wheat noodles for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for at least 10 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness, allowing sauces to deeply penetrate the meat.
• Use a non-stick pan to prevent chicken from sticking and ensure even golden-brown caramelization without burning.
• Separate scallion whites and greens for layered cooking technique, adding whites first for softening and greens last for fresh, bright flavor.
• Check chicken doneness by cutting into the thickest part – it should be white throughout with no pink center.
• Quick stir of green scallions at the end preserves their vibrant color and adds a fresh, crisp texture to the dish.
• Pair with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious pan juices and create a complete, satisfying meal.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg