How to Make Chicken in Black Bean Sauce

Chinese fermented black beans have a salty, hearty taste. You can buy prepared bean sauce in jars for an instant taste of Asia. This is a great meal for those work nights when you don't have much time. Recipe serves four.

Things You'll Need

• 4 garlic cloves - peeled and minced
• 1 large onions - peeled and diced
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 lb. chicken breast or thigh meat - cubed
• 4 tsp. cornstarches
• 2 tbsp. peanut oil
• measuring spoons
• woks
• cutting boards
• 1 1/2 tbsp. soy sauces
• 1 bunch green onions - green tops cut into thin rings
• measuring cups
• rice cookers
• 4 tbsp. freshly chopped cilantro
• 1 1/2 c. chicken broths
• chef's knives
• 1 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 medium green bell peppers - stemmed, seeded and diced
• 4 tbsp. black bean sauce
• Chef's Knives
• Cutting Boards
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Rice Cookers
• Woks
• Measuring cups

Instructions

1. Start cooking the steamed rice.

2. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium heat until it's quite hot. Add the oil and heat for 30 seconds.

3. Add the salt, garlic and black bean sauce. Cook, while stirring, for 30 seconds.

4. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until it is no longer pink. Stir in the broth, cover and cook for 6 minutes.

5. Add the onion, bell pepper, soy sauce and black pepper. Cover and cook for another 8 minutes. Mix the cornstarch with 3 tbsp. water and add it to the pan.

6. Stir the mixture until the sauce thickens. Taste and add more salt and pepper if preferred.

7. Serve over steamed or fried rice, garnished with scallions and cilantro.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for black bean sauce in Asian markets or the Asian section of your supermarket.

• You can also use dried black beans. If you do, chop or crush them with a knife before adding them to the stir-fry.

• Broccoli, green beans, and asparagus also go well with black beans.