Spicy Caramel Chicken
Description
Chef John's updated spicy caramel chicken recipe features browned caramelized chicken chunks with hot and sweet peppers simmered in ginger-soy sauce.
Ingredients
•
3/4 cup light brown sugar
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1/3 cup rice vinegar
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1/3 cup fish sauce
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4 cloves finely minced garlic
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2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
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2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce, or to taste
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1 teaspoon soy sauce
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2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
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1 tablespoon vegetable oil
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1/2 cup sliced, seeded jalapeno peppers
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1/2 cup sliced, seeded mild red chilies or bell peppers
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1/2 cup roasted peanuts
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1/2 cup chopped green onions, plus more for garnish
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1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
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4 cups cooked white rice
Directions
1
Whisk brown sugar, vinegar, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, hot sauce, and soy sauce together in a large bowl.
2
Place chicken in a separate bowl. Add ¼ cup brown sugar sauce; toss until chicken well coated. Set aside for 15 minutes.
3
Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over high heat until oil starts to smoke. Add chicken in a single layer; cook and stir until chicken starts to caramelize and turn deep brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in jalapeños and red peppers, peanuts, and ½ cup green onions; cook and stir, 1 minute. Add remaining brown sugar sauce; simmer until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
4
Off heat, stir in cilantro. Serve over hot cooked rice; top with chopped green onions.