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Frango xadrez
Chicken and pepper stir-fry
Frango xadrez: São Paulo's Chinese-Brazilian chicken stir-fry with peppers, onion and peanuts
BrazilianFrango xadrez, "chessboard chicken", was born in São Paulo's Chinese-Brazilian restaurants and named for its neat squares of chicken, pepper and onion. It is now a staple of lunch counters, delivery menus and the home-packed marmita, eaten over white rice. The common mistake is overcrowding the pan, so the chicken stews grey instead of searing; cook it in two batches. Chef's tip: toss the chicken with soy sauce and cornflour 15 minutes ahead; the coating keeps it juicy and thickens the sauce.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ lb chicken breastin 2 cm cubes
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornflourplus 1 tsp for the sauce
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 3 cloves garlicchopped
- 1 tsp fresh gingergrated
- 1 large onionin 2 cm squares
- 1 red pepperin 2 cm squares
- 1 green pepperin 2 cm squares
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 ⅛ oz roasted unsalted peanuts
- 1 ⅓ lb cooked white riceto serve
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Toss 1 ⅓ lb chicken breast with 2 tbsp soy sauce and ¾ tbsp cornflour and leave for 15 minutes.
15 minStep 2: Heat 1 tbsp sunflower oil in a wok over a high heat. Stir-fry half the chicken for 4–5 minutes until golden on the outside and 165°F in the centre, with no pink. Lift out and repeat with the rest.
10 minStep 3: Add the rest of 2 tbsp sunflower oil to the wok with 3 cloves garlic and 1 tsp fresh ginger and stir for 20 seconds. Add 1 large onion, 1 red pepper and 1 green pepper and stir-fry for 3 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
3 minStep 4: Mix the rest of 4 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornflour, 1 tsp sugar and ½ cup water, pour into the wok and bubble for 1 minute until glossy. Return the chicken, add 2 ⅛ oz roasted unsalted peanuts and toss until hot.
2 minStep 5: Serve over 1 ⅓ lb cooked white rice. For a marmita, cool quickly, refrigerate and reheat until piping hot throughout; eat within 2 days.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 340 kcal
- Protein
- 34 g
- Carbs
- 14 g
- Fat
- 16 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does frango xadrez take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of chicken breast?
- Boneless chicken thighs, same weight (a few minutes longer).
- What can I use instead of soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
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