No Way You Can “Gingerly” Eat This Ginger Chicken

Ginger Sesame Chicken with Sesame Soy Roasted Vegetables. It was pure perfection on Sunday night when I made this. Most recipes call for half a cup of honey and flour. This version is sweet and crispy as is. I replaced honey with its sweeter counterpart — agave nectar so less is required. The fresh ginger and scallions add a whole new depth to this dish. By browning both in sizzling oil before cooking the chicken allows more flavor to come forth. The roasted vegetables are a green side and the perfect complement to the sticky rice and sweet and ginger chicken.

Ingredients (serves 4).

For the Chicken:

1½ c sushi (sticky) rice, dry
1 T light olive oil
1½ inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled & finely minced
6 small scallions, chopped — reserve one to garnish
1/4 t garlic powder
12 oz chicken breasts, diced
1 t agave nectar
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained
Reduced sodium soy sauce
Sesame seeds to garnish

For the Vegetables:

2 c Brussels sprouts, washed and halved
1 c sugar snap peas
1 t sesame oil
2 t light olive oil
2 t soy sauce
1/2 t garlic powder

Directions.

Cook rice according to directions. Be sure to stir occasionally since rice is very sticky!
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with foil.
Combine all ingredients for vegetables in a large ziplock bag. Seal bag and mix well so all veggies are evenly coated. Pour onto foil-lined baking sheet. Roast vegetables for 10-12 min. Remove from oven, stir and roast an additional 10 min or until browned and tender.
Meanwhile, while rice and vegetable are cooking, heat olive oil over medium high heat in a wok. Once oil is hot, sauté minced ginger, garlic powder and scallions (leave one chopped to garnish). Add chicken and cook until browned. Mix in water chestnuts and agave. Continue to sauté for about 2 min. Then remove from heat.
Plate sticky rice and top with ginger chicken. Sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve roasted Brussels sprouts and snap peas as a side.
Enjoy!