5 from 38 votes
Sha Cha Chicken (沙茶鸡)
Sha Cha Chicken features marinated chicken thighs cooked with ginger, garlic, and scallions in Sha Cha sauce, a savory and slightly spicy condiment. The chicken is marinated, pan-fried to develop a golden crust, then briefly braised to infuse flavors and retain juiciness. The interplay of Sha Cha sauce's complexity with aromatic aromatics complements the tender meat, making for a satisfying dish served with rice.
Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Marinate
10 mins
Total Time
23 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
272 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs see note 1, boneless, skinless, or chicken drums
- 2 tablespoon Sha Cha sauce see note 2
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce light
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2½ tablespoon neutral cooking oil divided
- 6 lices ginger
- 8 cloves garlic halved
- 2 talks scallions cut into sections
Instructions
Marinate
- Cut chicken drums, or thighs, into chunks. Put them in a bowl and add Sha Cha sauce, light soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, and sugar.
- Mix well, then pour in ½ tablespoon of oil and stir to coat the chicken evenly. Leave to marinate for 10 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
Cup of Yum
Pan-fry
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet/frying pan. Place in the marinated chicken pieces without overlapping, along with ginger and garlic.
- Let them fry over medium heat until the first side of the chicken turns golden. Flip to brown the other side.
Braise
- Add about ½ cup of water to the skillet. Cover with a lid and leave to braise over high heat for about 4 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir in scallions. Cook further until the cooking liquid is reduced to a minimum. Dish out and serve immediately with steamed rice.
Notes
- Chicken wings can be used instead of thighs; increase braising time to about 6 minutes for wings.
- Chicken breasts are an acceptable substitute if preferred.
- Refer to related posts or sources for more details about Sha Cha sauce to understand its flavor profile and uses.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
272kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
7g
(41%)
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Trans Fat
0.3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
108mg
(36%)
Sodium
524mg
(22%)
Potassium
355mg
(8%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
88IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
35mg
(4%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 272
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 272kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 108mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 524mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 355mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 88IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 35mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.