Stir Fry Ginger & Peanut Butter Chicken 花生酱姜炒鸡块

I see Stir Fry Ginger & Peanut Butter Chicken 花生酱姜炒鸡块 being labelled as an Asian dish by many American bloggers. This puzzles me. Except for the ginger and stir frying, I think it is quite rare for us to associate cooking with peanut butter. Well, at least not in Singapore and Malaysia. Nevertheless, I was still game enough to cook this dish for my family today.

Let me forewarn you - Stir Fry Ginger & Peanut Butter Chicken 花生酱姜炒鸡块 is rather rich and heavy. The unique combination of ginger and peanut butter, however, would suffice to stir your appetite. Since it is supposed to be an Asian dish, I added my own Chinese elements such as sesame oil, chili paste etc. It is not a common home-cooked dish for us but it has turned out to be a pleasant surprise. This alone already made it special.  

Ingredients (enough for 4 pax with steamed rice) :

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• 2 pcs of boneless chicken thighs (chopped to bite size)(pre-marinated with 1/2 tsp salt and few drops of sesame oil)
• 10 slices ginger (finely chopped)
• 6 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
• thinly sliced chilis for garnishing
• cooking oil

Peanut Butter Mix :

• 2 to 3 tbsp chunky peanut butter (subject to size of chicken thigh meat)
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp chili paste/sauce

(tsp = teaspoon; tbsp = tablespoon)    

Tip : Be generous with ginger. Do not stinge. Otherwise, the dish would taste too peanut buttery. 

Method :

Add peanut butter and chili paste/sauce to seasonings.

Stir well to make a nice peanut butter mix.

Heat cooking oil in skillet/wok and add finely chopped ginger.

Add garlic and lightly sauté.

Fold in marinated chicken pieces.

Stir fry till 90% cooked at medium-high heat.

Add peanut butter mix.

Turn to high heat and continue to stir fry till chicken pieces are fully cooked and evenly coated with peanut butter sauce.

Transfer to serving bowl and garnish. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Stir Fry Ginger & Peanut Butter Chicken 花生酱姜炒鸡块 - uniquely tasty. Do eat in moderation as it is heavy for the stomach.