Chicken and Cabbage Stir-Fry
If available, seek out ground chicken made from dark meat, which will be naturally richer and perform best when cooked. Though this recipe’s technique of incorporating baking soda, sugar, and a bit of neutral oil will allow the meat to stay juicier and brown faster no matter what grind you use. Green cabbage is the move here versus other greens as it can take a hard sear and not wilt away, so don’t be afraid to let it get charred around the edges before moving it around.
Recipe information
Total Time
25 minutes
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Stir 2 Tbsp. oyster sauce, 2 Tbsp. sambal oelek, 2 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar, 1 Tbsp. fish sauce, and 1 Tbsp. dark brown sugar in a small bowl to combine; set sauce aside.
Step 2
Heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high until oil begins to smoke. Add two thirds of ½ medium head of green cabbage (about 1¼ lb.), cored, leaves cut into 2" pieces, and cook, undisturbed, until dark brown and blistered in spots, about 3 minutes. Toss, add 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil and remaining cabbage and cook, tossing occasionally, until cabbage is lightly charred in spots and mostly wilted, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate; reserve pan.
Step 3
Meanwhile, mix 1 lb. ground chicken, beef, or pork, 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, ½ tsp. baking soda, and remaining ½ tsp. dark brown sugar in a medium bowl until well combined.
Step 4
Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in reserved pan over medium-high. Add chicken mixture and cook, breaking up any large clumps of meat with a wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula, until browned and nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, one 1" piece ginger, peeled, very finely chopped, and most of 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, and cook, tossing often, until softened and very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add reserved sauce and cook, tossing occasionally, until thickened, 1–2 minutes.
Step 5
Return cabbage to skillet and add 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter. Cook, tossing often, until butter is melted and cabbage is glossy, about 1 minute. Serve stir-fry topped with remaining scallions.
