Japanese Eggplant with Chicken & Thai Basil
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
240 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Japanese Eggplant with Chicken & Thai Basil
Description
This recipe involves marinating thin chicken slices with water, light soy sauce, cornstarch, and vegetable oil to tenderize and season the meat. Thick wedges of Chinese or Japanese eggplant are first seared in hot oil with the lid on to soften and develop a golden crust. The chicken is then seared briefly in the wok to lock in juices and flavor.
The cooking finishes by combining the chicken and eggplant with sliced garlic, scallions, Thai basil leaves, Shaoxing wine, fish sauce, sugar, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper, all cooked quickly over high heat. This results in a dish where the eggplant is tender yet lightly caramelized, the chicken juicy, and the Thai basil adds a fresh and slightly spicy herbal note.
This stir-fry can be served alongside steamed rice to balance its umami richness and make a satisfying main course. The recipe demonstrates layering of flavors and textures typical in Asian-style stir-fry dishes.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces chicken breast (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil (plus 1 teaspoon for marinating the chicken)
- 1½ teaspoons soy sauce light
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 eggplant about 12-16 ounces/340-450g; cut on an angle into 1 1/2-inch wedges, Chinese or Japanese variety
- 3 cloves garlic (sliced thinly)
- 3 scallions (sliced 1½ inches long on an angle, separated into white and green parts)
- 1 bunch Thai basil stems removed, about 1 cup loosely packed, or holy basil
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry cooking wine)
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce or light soy sauce, Thai, thin
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ground white pepper
- ¼ cup chicken stock (hot)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, massage the chicken with 2 tablespoons of water until it is completely absorbed, and add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, 1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch until well incorporated. Set aside.
- Heat your wok over medium-high heat and coat it with 2 tablespoons of oil. Spread the eggplant out evenly in the wok, and let sear with the cover on the wok for 2 minutes. Remove the cover, turn the eggplant pieces over, and pour another tablespoon of oil around the perimeter. Cover the wok, and turn heat to medium-low for another 2 minutes until the eggplant is just tender. Next, raise the heat to high to cook the eggplant to a golden brown color--another 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Add 1 more tablespoon of oil to your wok and heat until just smoking. Add the marinated chicken, and spread it around the wok. Let it sear for 30 to 60 seconds (depending upon your burner capacity) on each side. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- With the wok over high heat, add another tablespoon of oil, the garlic, the white parts of the scallions, and the basil. Stir fry for 30 seconds, and add the eggplant and chicken.
- Next, add the Shaoxing wine, and stir everything together. Add the fish sauce, sugar, soy sauces, sesame oil, and white pepper, and stir until everything is combined--about a minute. Next, add the green portion of the scallions.
- Pour the chicken stock around the perimeter of the wok to deglaze it. Stir fry until everything is well-combined, and most of the liquid has been absorbed by other ingredients. Serve with steamed jasmine rice!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 240 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 240kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 36mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 604mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 515mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 240IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 5.9mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 27mg | 3% |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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