Master the art of five-spice chicken with this easy recipe

The menu at almost every Chinese restaurant includes "Five-Spice Chicken." Its unique taste comes from combining the five basic flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy. Properly balanced, they create a delicious composition.

The dish is based on chicken wrapped in slightly crispy batter. Add a thick sauce and vegetables, and you have the perfect meal. You can choose a ready-made Chinese mix or assemble your favorite ingredients. Bell pepper, broccoli, sugar snap peas, Chinese cabbage, bamboo shoots, or carrots work well here.

There are plenty of familiar ingredients from Asian cuisine, such as soy sauce or fish sauce. It's worth stocking up on these during a themed week at the supermarket or ordering online.

Ingredients:

                                                  
• 1 lb of chicken fillet,
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce,
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce,
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal,
• Oil for frying,
• 1 onion,
• 2 cloves garlic,
• 1 red bell pepper,
• 1 green bell pepper,
• 2 carrots,
• A few broccoli florets,
• 2 slices canned pineapple,
• Chili flakes or hot chili pepper.

Sauce:

                      
• 1/4 cup wine vinegar,
• 1/4 cup sugar,
• 1/4 cup soy sauce,
• 1 tablespoon ketchup,
• 1 teaspoon cornmeal,
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation method:

1. Cut the chicken into cubes, mix with soy sauce, cornmeal, and fish sauce. Set aside for a moment.
2. Prepare the sauce: in a saucepan, mix vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, and cornmeal. Cook over low heat until the sauce thickens.
3. Dice the onion and bell pepper, chop the garlic, and peel the carrot into half-moon.
4. Drain the pineapple juice and cut into smaller pieces.
5. Heat oil in a pan and fry the chicken until golden brown.
6. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper, and fry for a moment.
7. Add pineapple, broccoli, and sauce.
8. Add chili flakes or hot chili pepper.
9. Cook until the sauce thickens.
10. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve the Five-Spice Chicken with rice or Asian noodles, such as chow mein. Add a Chinese-style slaw to it. Enjoy your meal!