Empress chicken is a deep-fried chicken entree served with a sweet and spicy sauce. The dish reportedly has its origins in the Chinese-American community, with various versions merging based on location.
The chicken is fried in a mixture of cornstarch, egg, ginger and soy sauce. Sauteed garlic, onion and chili peppers are staple ingredients in the entree. The sauce for empress chicken is made from chicken stock, soy sauce, white vinegar, cornstarch, sugar, garlic and ginger. The chicken pieces are coated and fried, then removed from the oil. A separate pan is used to sautee the vegetables and prepare the sauce. Once all the ingredients for empress chicken are combined, it is usually served over white rice.
