Sure, stir-fried chicken and veggies might sound like a basic dish—but this version has a few clever twists to make it truly stand out.
The real magic: marinating the chicken in shio koji. The enzymes in shio koji, called proteases, break down proteins into amino acids, unlocking deep umami and tenderizing the meat as it rests.
Another twist, we slowly render the fat from the chicken skin over low heat, letting it crisp up while creating a flavorful base to season the vegetables.
The result is a simple yet remarkably delicious dish that’s packed with flavor in every bite.
Stir-Fried Chicken and Veggies Using Shio Koji
Ingredients
- 230 g (8.1 oz) chicken thigh or breast with skin on (Chop it into pieces.)
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) shio koji
- 200 g (1.1 cups) vegetables (Use any vegetables you like. Chop them into pieces.)
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) oil
directions
- Use chicken thigh or chicken breast, whichever you like, but it should have skin-on, and, have it marinated in shio koji for at least a couple of hours.This one had been kept in the freezer like this and then defrosted.Shio koji makes the meat soft and juicy and brings out umami from the meat as well.
- Turn the heat to low to medium, and oil the pan. Place the chicken skin side down. And we will leave them like this for 20-30 minutes until all that fat from the skin comes out. We are going to use this fat to season the veggies. Make sure to keep the flame low because shio koji burns very easily.
- Let's bring up the heat to medium to high and go ahead and add the veggies.Use any veggies you have in your fridge. This is a simple dish. No complex seasoning is involved. Let's celebrate the beautiful flavors of the vegetables. I love vegetables. You see, they are like a sponge. They suck up all that yummy oil from the chicken skin. This is why this dish is so delicious.
- Stir fry them for a few minutes until the chicken and veggies are cooked. Season it with some salt and pepper, give a bit more stir, and we are done. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Feel free to adjust the ingredient amounts to your taste.
- What Is Shio Koji? (The Complete Guide)
- How to Make Shio Koji (Recipe)
- Shio koji products: – If You Are Outside of Japan Shio koji by marukome 200g (7.05 ounce): https://geni.us/8vWX0vj Shio koji by marukome 500g (17.6 ounce): https://geni.us/tIoxH2b – If You Are in Japan Shio koji by marukome 500g (17.6 ounce) x 2: https://geni.us/Kbbw0C
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Nutrition
Tokyo-based Japanese home cook and food writer, sharing easy, low-carb recipes featuring Japanese staples like shio koji. I also explore the city’s dining scene through honest restaurant reviews and food adventures. Learn more at sakurayubi.com/about.
