Dapanji (Big Plate Chicken)
Dapanji (which means “big plate chicken”) is a classic dish from Xinjiang in northern China. A hearty chicken, potato and carrot stew that’s ready in an hour.
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 479kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 8 ounces velveted chicken breast strips can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 inch ginger, sliced into coins
- 6 cloves minced garlic
- 5 dried chili peppers, chopped in half
- 1 medium potato, chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 1 small carrot, chopped into 1-inch chunks sub with more potatoes if you don't like carrots
- 1 bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ to 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons five spice powder
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 diced scallion
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Add 2 tablespoon oil to a wok on medium-high heat. Sear 8 ounces velveted chicken breast strips until no longer pink (but don’t worry if the inside is undercooked, we’ll finish cooking it at the end). Transfer the chicken pieces to a plate.
- Leave the remaining oil in the wok. Sauté 1 inch ginger, sliced into coins, 6 cloves minced garlic, and 5 dried chili peppers, chopped in half for a few moments until lightly browned.
- Add 1 medium potato, chopped into 1-inch chunks, 1 small carrot, chopped into 1-inch chunks, 2 bay leaves, ½ to 1 teaspoon cayenne powder, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 2 teaspoons five spice powder. Pour over 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, 1 cup chicken stock and give it all a stir.
- Cover and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook 10 minutes. Then add 1 bell pepper, sliced into strips, cover, and cook for another 10 minutes. Add a bit more water if it starts to look too dry. Dapanji should be a thick stew consistency.
- Add salt to taste and sprinkle 1 diced scallion on top. Serve over naan or laghman noodles, or just rice!
Nutrition
Calories: 479kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 1490mg | Potassium: 1360mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 5994IU | Vitamin C: 77mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 4mg