Top 5 Asian-Inspired Chicken Dishes

Calling all chicken lovers and adventurous eaters! Are you tired of the same old chicken recipes? Let's introduce you to five incredible Asian-inspired chicken dishes that will be loved by your family and friends. From sweet and sticky to fiery and fragrant, these recipes are sure to become favourites at your dinner table.

Korean Fried Chicken

Not to be confused with regular fried chicken, Korean Fried Chicken is a crispy, flavour-packed delight! Twice-fried for maximum crunch and tossed in a sweet and spicy gochujang glaze, it’s a dish that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 4 cups vegetable oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 kg chicken wings
• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 cup corn starch

 For the Sauce

• 3 tbsp butter
• 5 small dried red chilis, sliced
• 1 tbsp freshly minced ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp brown sugar

Preparation

1. Heat 4 cups of vegetable oil in a deep pot to 135°C. Line a large plate or baking sheet with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, baking powder, and garlic powder.
2. Pat wings dry, rub with grated ginger, and season with salt mixture. Toss wings with cornstarch, pressing to coat.
3. Fry wings in oil until lightly crisped and golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove and let rest. Increase oil temperature to 200°C and fry again until deeply golden and crisp, about 7 to 8 minutes.

Make the Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add butter, dried chilis, ginger, and garlic, cooking until fragrant. Stir in gochujang, ketchup, vinegar, and soy sauce, cooking until bubbling. Add honey and brown sugar, cooking until slightly thickened.
2. Toss wings in the sauce, garnish with sesame seeds and green onion, and serve.

Thai Green Curry with Chicken

Imagine a fragrant, creamy curry bursting with an irresistible symphony of flavours! Simmered in a coconut milk broth infused with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and green chillies, green curry is best served with fluffy jasmine rice.

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp ground coriander powder 
• 1 stalk lemongrass, chopped
• 1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup chopped fresh coriander leaves and stems
• 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped shallot or red onion
• 1 green Thai chili, chopped
• 1 tsp shrimp paste or fish sauce
• 2 1/2 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp fresh lime juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 can coconut milk

• 2 tsp vegetable oil
• 3/4 can coconut milk
• 700g boneless chicken breast or thigh
• 1 handful green beans
• 1 red or green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 handful fresh Thai basil

Preparation

1. Blend the Paste: Blend all green curry paste ingredients until smooth.
2. Cook the Curry: Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the green curry paste and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in the remaining coconut milk and bring to a boil.
3. Simmer: Add chicken, green beans, bell pepper, and lime leaves. Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked and vegetables are tender.
4. Finish: Stir in Thai basil and serve with jasmine rice.

Honey Garlic Chicken

A takeout favourite, honey garlic chicken is surprisingly easy to make at home! Juicy chicken pieces and vegetables coated in a sticky, sweet, and savoury honey garlic sauce pair perfectly with rice for a wholesome family meal.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
• 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 450g boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 2 tsp corn starch
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Heat 1 tsp oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add broccoli and carrots, cooking until tender.

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. In the same pan, heat remaining oil and cook chicken until golden brown.

1. Add garlic, cook briefly, then add vegetables back to the pan.
2. Mix chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, and corn starch, then add to the pan.
3. Cook until sauce thickens.

Vietnamese Pho Ga

A true Vietnamese classic, Pho Ga is a warm, savoury chicken noodle soup perfect for comfort food lovers.

Ingredients

• 2 onions, halved
• 5cm ginger, sliced
• 2 litres water
• 1.5 kg chicken thighs
• 1 small bunch coriander
• 5 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cloves
• 2 tsp fennel seeds
• 2 tsp coriander seeds
• 8 tsp fish sauce
• 6 tsp sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt

• 360g dried rice noodles
• 2 green onion stems, finely sliced

• 3 cups bean sprouts
• 1 small bunch Thai basil
• 1 small bunch mint
• 1 small bunch coriander
• 1 wedge lime
• 1 tsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha
• red chillies, cut, as desired

Preparation

1. Char onion and ginger in a pot with oil.
2. Add water and remaining broth ingredients.
3. Simmer gently for 1.5 hours, then strain.

1. Prepare noodles according to package instructions.
2. Divide noodles and broth among bowls, add chicken, and top with your favourite toppings.

Indian Chicken Tikka Masala

A creamy tomato-based curry with succulent chicken pieces marinated in yoghurt and tandoori spices, Chicken Tikka Masala is a crowd-pleaser that's both tasty and comforting.

Ingredients

• 900g boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup masala paste
• 1/2 cup plain yoghurt
• 2 Tbsp oil
• 2 cups tomato puree
• 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups rice
• 1/4 cup coriander

• 2 onions
• 5 cloves garlic
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger
• 3 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp each chilli powder, turmeric, cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, coriander stems, juice of one lemon

Preparation

1. Blend all paste ingredients until smooth
2. Reserve 1/4 cup for this recipe, freeze the rest

1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. Marinate with 2 Tbsp of masala paste and yoghurt for 30 minutes.

Cook

1. Cook rice according to package directions.
2. Brown chicken in a skillet, then set aside.
3. Add masala paste to the skillet, stir fry, then add tomato puree and chicken.
4. Simmer, then stir in cream or coconut milk.

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These five delicious Asian-inspired chicken dishes will bring new flavours to your table. With these recipes, you can create restaurant-quality meals at home and explore the vibrant culinary traditions of Asia. Grab your chopsticks and dig in! Remember to tag Asian Pantry when you upload your mouthwatering photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Recipe source: Delish, The Spruce, Dinner At The Zoo, Recipetineats, Pinch Of Yum