Moo Goo Gai Pan (Chinese Chicken and Mushroom Stir Fry)

1 . Stage

Prep the chicken: Using a sharp knife, slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise from the thin tip to the wider end, creating into two long strips. Thinly slice each strip against the grain into bite-sized pieces. The goal here is to create bite-sized pieces of chicken that are all about the same size and shape. However you end up with that, you're good to go!

2 . Stage

Mix the egg with cornstarch and soak the chicken: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of the cornstarch until smooth. Toss the sliced chicken breast in the egg mixture to coat thoroughly. Allow the chicken to soak in the mixture while you prepare your sauce.

3 . Stage

Make the stir fry sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the chicken stock, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, soy, hoisin, and oyster sauces, the five spice powder, and white pepper. Whisk the mixture together and set aside.

4 . Stage

Preheat the wok and arrange your ingredients: Begin preheating your wok, or a large, deep skillet, over high heat and turn on your stovetop’s ventilation fan. Drain the chicken of any excess egg mixture and return the chicken to its bowl. Arrange your ingredients next to the stove in the following order: vegetable oil, chicken, carrots and snow peas, garlic and ginger, mushrooms, water chestnuts and bamboo shoots, and mixed sauce. This will help things go quickly once you’ve begun cooking.

5 . Stage

Cook the chicken: When the wok has heated (a flick of water should evaporate on contact), carefully add the vegetable oil, quickly followed by the chicken. Stir fry the chicken for 4 minutes, tossing occasionally with a wooden spoon.

6 . Stage

Stir fry the veggies: Add the carrots and snow peas and cook for an additional 4 minutes, stirring often. Make a well in the center of the pan and add the garlic and ginger. Cook in the center of the pan until fragrant, for about 1 minute, and then mix them in with the rest of the ingredients. Add the mushrooms, chestnuts, and bamboo shoots. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes.

7 . Stage

Add the sauce: Make another well in the center of the pan and add the sauce. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the sauce starts to bubble and thicken slightly. Fold the stir fry ingredients into the sauce to coat completely. Bring the sauce up to a simmer, and then reduce the heat to low. Cook for a minute longer.

8 . Stage

Serve: Remove from heat and immediately serve spooned over the jasmine rice with extra hoisin sauce on the side. Leftovers are best stored apart from the rice in an airtight container in the fridge for two days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop.