Quick Chinese citrus chicken stir-fry

Orange and lemon zest give a zingy flavour to this chicken stir fry, served with garlicky Chinese greens and rice.

By Ken Hom

From Food & Drink

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Preparation time

less than 30 mins

Cooking time

10 to 30 mins

Serves

Serves 4

Ingredients

For the chicken

• 450g/1lb boneless chicken breasts, skinned, cut into 2.5cm/1in cubes
• 2 tsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 tsp cornflour
• 1 tbsp groundnut (peanut) oil
• 1 tsp salt
• freshly ground white pepper
• 2 tbsp finely chopped orange zest
• 1 tbsp finely chopped lemon zest
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander

For the rice

• enough long-grain rice to fill a measuring jug to 400ml/14fl oz level

For the greens

• 1 tbsp groundnut or peanut oil
• 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced
• 2 tsp salt
• 750g/1½lb Chinese greens, such as choi sum or bok choi

Method

1. Combine the cubed chicken with the soy sauce, rice wine (or dry sherry) and cornflour in a small bowl. Put the mixture in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
2. For the rice, put the rice into a heavy pan with 600ml/21 fl oz water. The general rule of thumb is that the water should come up above the level of the rice by about 2.5cm/1in, or the top part of the thumb!
3. Bring the water to the boil and cook until most of the surface liquid has evaporated - this should take about 15 minutes. The surface of the rice should have small indentations like a pitted crater.
4. At this point, cover the pan with a very tight-fitting lid, turn the heat as low as possible and let the rice cook undisturbed for 15 minutes. There is no need to 'fluff' the rice, let it rest for five minutes before serving it.
5. To finish the chicken, heat a wok until it is very hot and then add the oil. When the oil is very hot and slightly smoking, add the chicken to the wok, together with the salt, pepper and orange and lemon zest.
6. Stir-fry the mixture for four minutes, or until the chicken is cooked. Stir in the sesame oil and give the mixture two turns and cook for another three minutes. Finally add the coriander and continue to stir-fry for another minute. Turn onto a platter and serve at once.
7. For the greens, heat a wok or large frying-pan over high heat until it is hot. Add the oil, and, when it is very hot and slightly smoking, add the garlic and salt. Stir-fry the mixture for 15 seconds. Quickly add the Chinese greens. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the greens have wilted, but are still slightly crisp.
8. Serve the chicken with the Chinese greens and rice.