🥢 Asian Garlic Black Bean Chicken 🍗 is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines the umami of black beans with the aromatic garlic, creating a mouthwatering fusion of Asian and Chinese flavors.
📜 History: Black bean sauce is a common condiment used in Chinese cuisine. It’s made from fermented black soybeans and often includes garlic. This sauce has been used in Chinese cooking for centuries and is known for its robust, savory flavor. Combining it with chicken and slow cooking is a modern twist that makes it easy to prepare.
🍽️ Components:
- Chicken: You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken pieces, typically chicken breasts or thighs.
- Black Bean Sauce: This is the star ingredient and is readily available in Asian grocery stores or online. It’s made from fermented black soybeans, garlic, and sometimes other seasonings.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves or minced garlic for that distinctive flavor.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger or ginger paste, often used to add depth to the dish.
- Soy Sauce: For saltiness and depth of flavor.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, toasted flavor.
- Brown Sugar or Honey: For a touch of sweetness to balance the saltiness.
- Vegetables: You can add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and scallions for extra flavor and texture.
👩🍳 Steps to Prepare:
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Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set them aside.
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Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the black bean sauce, minced garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sweetener (brown sugar or honey). Mix well.
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Layer in the Crock Pot: Place the chicken pieces in the slow cooker. You can also add the vegetables at this stage.
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Pour in the Sauce: Pour the prepared black bean sauce over the chicken and veggies.
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Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to the desired cooking time. Typically, you can cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
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Serve: Once the cooking time is up, serve your Asian Garlic Black Bean Chicken hot. You can garnish it with chopped scallions or sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
⏲️ Time Needed: The total time required to prepare this dish can vary depending on the heat setting on your slow cooker. On low, it takes about 4-6 hours, while on high, it’s ready in 2-3 hours.
This dish is not only delicious but also incredibly convenient to prepare, thanks to the slow cooker. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend feast, and its unique blend of flavors is sure to please your taste buds. Enjoy! 🍽️😋🥡
Certainly! Here are the approximate nutrition facts for Asian Garlic Black Bean Chicken (per serving):
- Calories: Around 250-300 calories per serving, depending on the specific ingredients and portion size.
- Protein: Approximately 25-30 grams of protein per serving, primarily from the chicken.
- Fat: Approximately 10-15 grams of fat, with some of it coming from the chicken and the sesame oil.
- Carbohydrates: Around 15-20 grams of carbohydrates per serving, mainly from the black bean sauce, sweetener, and any added vegetables.
- Fiber: Some dietary fiber is present, primarily from the vegetables.
- Sodium: The sodium content can vary based on the specific brand of black bean sauce and soy sauce used. It’s essential to check the labels for low-sodium options if you’re concerned about sodium intake.
Health Information:
- Protein: This dish is a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance and repair.
- Healthy Fats: The sesame oil provides healthy fats that can be beneficial for heart health.
- Sodium: Be mindful of the sodium content, especially if you have dietary restrictions or health concerns related to sodium intake. You can reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium soy sauce and black bean sauce.
- Vegetables: If you include vegetables like bell peppers and onions, you’ll get added vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making the dish more nutritious.
- Fermented Black Beans: Fermented black beans in the black bean sauce can have some health benefits. They are a source of probiotics, which can be beneficial for gut health.
As with any recipe, the actual nutritional content can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes you use. To get the most accurate nutrition information for your meal, consider using a nutrition calculator or app, which can take into account the precise brands and amounts of ingredients you use.
