Chinese Honey Chicken and Fried Rice

I have been wanting to make some Chinese food for awhile but every time I do, it doesn't turn out as good as I had hoped.  I decided to give it another whirl.  I'm glad I did because my family loved it!  They all had seconds and then my hubby took some to work the next day.  He usually doesn't take leftovers so that told me he really liked it.  He is also really picky about his fried rice so when he said he liked the rice, I knew it was a keeper.  Especially since it is such a simple recipe.  The chicken I was hesitant whether they would like it but they all loved it. 

(the picture is kinda blah but it was really good!)


Chinese Honey Chicken Recipe


Ingredients:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1” chunks)
Oil (for frying)





Batter-


2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup flour
/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg






Sauce-
1 ½ tablespoons oil
2 teaspoon ginger (minced)
3 tablespoons garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
½ cup water
1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 teaspoon water)







Cooking Instructions:




 In a large bowl mix all batter ingredients together until smooth. Cover and allow the batter to sit for at least 30 minutes. Add the chicken to the batter tossing to coat.


 Heat oil.  The original recipe called for a deep fryer heated to 350 degrees but I don't have one so I heated oil in a pan. Fry chicken bits in patches for 2 minutes or until batter becomes firm. Drain on paper towels.


 To make the sauce. Heat 1 ½ tablespoons of oil in your frying pan. Add garlic and ginger and stir fry for 30 seconds.  Add salt, honey, vinegar, and water. Mix well. Combine 1 teaspoon of water with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Add to the sauce and Simmer for 2 minutes.


Coat chicken with the sauce. Serve with fried rice or white rice.






Fried Rice
Ingredients
• 1 1/3 cups uncooked white rice
• 1 2/3 cups water
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1/8 cup soy sauce
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Optional: Ham, Shrimp, Peas, Chicken, or whatever else you like in your fried rice
• 
  
• Directions
• 
  
• In a saucepan bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, season eggs with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 teaspoon oil in small frying pan, pour in eggs.Cook like you do scrambled eggs. Set aside.
• Spoon remaining 2 teaspoons oil into the skillet. Stir in rice; break up any clumps and toss to coat with oil. Stir in soy sauce, eggs and green onions (and any extras you want to add). Stir and cook until heated through, approximately 3 minutes.






 It is a bit of extra work doing the breading and frying with the chicken.  I think sometime I may skip the frying and cook my chicken and then add the sauce to give it a healthier approach.  But all in all, this was a hit with everyone and will definitely be going on the menu again. (sorry for lack of pictures.....my phone/camera was charging while I was cooking)