here are the top 8 American Chinese dishes typically served with rice, including introductions, ingredients, and instructions:
1. General Tso’s Chicken
General Tso’s Chicken is arguably the most famous dish in American Chinese cuisine. It features crispy fried chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and slightly spicy sauce. This dish is often credited to Chef Peng Chang-kuei, who initially created it in Taiwan before it was popularized in American Chinese restaurants in the 1970s .
Ingredients:
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For the chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 egg
- ½ cup cornstarch
- Oil for frying
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For the sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, minced
- 1-2 dried red chilies, chopped
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and cornstarch. Add the chicken pieces and mix well to coat.
- Heat oil in a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In a separate pan, combine all sauce ingredients and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce, tossing well to coat.
- Serve hot with steamed white rice and garnish with chopped scallions.
2. Beef with Broccoli
Beef with Broccoli is a classic dish featuring tender beef slices and crisp broccoli florets in a savory brown sauce. It is a beloved staple in American Chinese cuisine, known for its balance of flavors and textures .
Ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- ½ cup beef broth
Instructions:
- Marinate the beef with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch for 20 minutes.
- In a large pan or wok, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the beef and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add broccoli and stir-fry for 3 minutes. Return the beef to the pan.
- Add oyster sauce, the remaining soy sauce, and beef broth. Cook until sauce thickens.
- Serve hot with steamed white rice.
3. Sweet and Sour Pork
Sweet and Sour Pork is a vibrant dish loved for its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. It features crispy pork pieces and stir-fried vegetables, all coated in a glossy sweet and sour sauce .
Ingredients:
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1 lb pork shoulder, cubed
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1 egg
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½ cup cornstarch
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1 bell pepper, chopped
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1 onion, chopped
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1 pineapple, chopped
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For the sauce:
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
- Coat the pork pieces in a mixture of egg and cornstarch.
- Deep fry the pork until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In a large pan, stir-fry bell pepper, onion, and pineapple until slightly tender.
- In a separate bowl, mix together all sauce ingredients and add to the pan.
- Add the fried pork and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Serve hot with steamed white rice.
4. Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken is a spicy, stir-fried dish from the Sichuan province of China, yet it has been adapted to suit American tastes. It features chicken, peanuts, and vegetables stir-fried with a bold, spicy sauce .
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- ½ cup roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 3 dried red chilies, chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
Instructions:
- Marinate the chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch for 20 minutes.
- Heat sesame oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic, ginger, and dried chilies, cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry until cooked through.
- Add bell pepper, zucchini, and peanuts, cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add vinegar and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Serve hot with steamed white rice.
5. Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken Fried Rice is a versatile and beloved dish in American Chinese cuisine. It takes leftover rice and transforms it into a flavorful main course, combining chicken, vegetables, and a savory soy-based sauce .
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 chicken breast, cubed
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup peas and carrots, frozen
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 scallions, chopped
Instructions:
- Heat sesame oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Pour beaten eggs into the pan and scramble.
- Add peas, carrots, and cooked rice. Stir-fry for 3 minutes.
- Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cooked chicken. Toss well to combine.
- Garnish with chopped scallions and serve hot.
6. Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken is another popular American Chinese dish, known for its crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy orange-flavored sauce. It’s a delightful blend of citrus and spice .
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 egg
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 orange, juiced and zested
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
Instructions:
- Coat the chicken pieces in egg and cornstarch.
- Deep fry the chicken until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In a pan, combine orange juice, zest, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the cornstarch mixture and cook until sauce thickens.
- Add the fried chicken pieces and toss well to coat.
- Serve hot with steamed white rice.
7. Sesame Chicken
Sesame Chicken is a sweet and savory dish with chicken pieces battered and fried until crispy and then tossed in a luscious sauce topped with sesame seeds. Its crunchy texture and bold flavors make it a favorite among American Chinese dishes .
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 egg
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
Instructions:
- Coat the chicken pieces in egg and cornstarch.
- Deep fry the chicken until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In a pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 30 seconds.
- Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the fried chicken and toss well to coat.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve hot with steamed white rice.
8. Shrimp with Lobster Sauce
Shrimp with Lobster Sauce is a popular dish in American Chinese cuisine that features shrimp cooked in a rich, savory sauce made with ground pork, garlic, and fermented black beans. Despite its name, it doesn’t contain lobster but mimics the luxurious texture of lobster .
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ lb ground pork
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fermented black beans
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 scallions, chopped
Instructions:
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and fermented black beans, cook for 1 minute.
- Add ground pork and cook until browned.
- Add chicken broth and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer.
- Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink.
- Stir in the cornstarch