Chicken Japchae: A Common Yet Special Meal
Healthy and Delicious Japchae Recipe Made with Chicken Breast
Japchae, a dish that welcomes countless variations! This time, we’re introducing a unique twist: Chicken Breast Japchae, using tender chicken breast instead of pork. The delightful chewiness of glass noodles, fresh vegetables, and soft chicken breast come together to create a wonderful meal that everyone can enjoy. We’ll provide detailed, step-by-step tips and delicious secrets to make it easy, even for Japchae beginners.
Main Ingredients
- 150g glass noodles
- 1 sheet fish cake (square shape)
- 100g spinach
- 1/4 red bell pepper
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Sesame oil for finishing
Chicken Breast Marinade
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- A little Cheongyang chili pepper (optional, for spice)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- A little Cheongyang chili pepper (optional, for spice)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Glass noodles take a considerable amount of time to prepare, so soak them in cold water for at least an hour beforehand. This pre-soaking will ensure the noodles become wonderfully chewy and tender when cooked.
Step 2
Boil the glass noodles according to the package instructions, then immediately rinse them under cold water to cool them down. This prevents the noodles from sticking together and maintains their springy texture. Set them aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
Step 3
Let’s make a flavorful BBQ sauce for the chicken breast! Combine 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp mirin, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp corn syrup, and 1/2 tsp minced garlic. If you like a bit of heat, finely chop a small amount of Cheongyang chili pepper and add it in.
Step 4
Slice the chicken breast into long, bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate. Since the chicken breast is sliced thinly, it doesn’t need a long marinating time, and the savory BBQ sauce will add plenty of flavor.
Step 5
Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat and add the marinated chicken breast. Stir-fry until the surface of the chicken turns lightly golden brown.
Step 6
When the chicken is about halfway cooked, pour in the prepared BBQ sauce. Be careful not to add the sauce too early, as it might burn before the chicken is fully cooked.
Step 7
Continue to stir-fry with the sauce until the chicken breast is completely cooked through. You now have delicious, saucy chicken breast. Set it aside for later.
Step 8
Blanch the thoroughly washed spinach in boiling water for just about 1 minute. Spinach stems take slightly longer to cook than leaves, so add the stems first, wait 30 seconds, then add the leaves and blanch them together. Since the spinach will continue to cook from residual heat even after you turn off the stove, a short blanching time is sufficient.
Step 9
Slice the fish cake into bite-sized pieces. Remove the seeds from the red and yellow bell peppers and slice them into thin strips. Adding vibrantly colored vegetables will make your Japchae look even more appealing.
Step 10
Lightly oil a pan and stir-fry the sliced fish cake and bell peppers with a pinch of salt. Cook them just enough to retain their crispness.
Step 11
Add the blanched spinach to the pan and stir-fry briefly with the other vegetables. The fresh taste and aroma of the spinach will harmonize well with the other ingredients.
Step 12
Now, let’s make the seasoning sauce that will give your Japchae its signature flavor! Mix 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp cooking syrup, and 1 tsp minced garlic. This is your basic soy sauce-based Japchae sauce.
Step 13
In a large pan or wok, add the pre-boiled glass noodles and the prepared Japchae seasoning sauce. Stir-fry, tossing to ensure the sauce coats the noodles evenly.
Step 14
Add the stir-fried vegetables to the pan with the noodles and toss them together, continuing to stir-fry.
Step 15
Since chicken breast can break apart easily, add it in at the very last step and stir-fry gently. Be mindful not to overcook it, as it can become dry and tough.
Step 16
Finally, drizzle in some sesame oil for a nutty aroma and sprinkle with sesame seeds to finish. Your delicious Chicken Breast Japchae is ready! Enjoy it while it’s warm.
