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Learn How to Velvet Chicken like a pro. This easy, foolproof technique guarantees tender, juicy bites of chicken just like youโd get at your favorite Chinese takeout restaurant. Use this technique on chicken breast, thighs, and even wings.
Megganโs notes
As a classically-trained chef, one of my favorite things to do is break down pro-level cooking techniques for home cooks. Velveting chicken is an easy, effective trick I picked up in culinary school. Itโs also the not-so-secret secret behind that impossibly tender, juicy chicken you get in your favorite Chinese restaurant dishes.
Velveting is a traditional Chinese cooking technique that coats raw chicken in a tenderizing mixture to protect it from drying out while cooking. The result? Chicken thatโs unbelievably soft, juicy, and flavorful from the first bite to the last.
There are a few versions of velveting (some use egg whites, some use cornstarch), but I like to keep it simple for busy weeknights using a pantry-friendly shortcut: baking soda. It works like magic! Just rinse your chicken afterwards to avoid any baking soda taste.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Chicken: This velveting technique works on chicken thighs, wings, and drumsticks, and even beef, pork, shrimp, and tofu.
- Baking soda:ย Use baking soda to tenderize chicken for a tender, juicy texture. Youโll rinse the baking soda off afterwards, so you donโt actually taste it.
Step-by-step instructions
- In a medium bowl, toss chicken and baking soda together. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- Rinse chicken to remove all baking soda.
- Pat dry and use as directed in your stir fry recipe.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 1 pound of velveted chicken, but you can scale up or down depending on how much you need.
- Make ahead: Velvet your chicken up to 1 hour in advance. Donโt leave your chicken in the baking soda mixture longer than 1 hour, though, or the chicken may turn mushy.
More Asian-inspired recipes
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Chinese Chicken Salad
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Korean Barbecue Meatballs
Chicken and Turkey Recipes
Homemade Teriyaki Chicken
Appetizer Recipes
Potstickers
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How to Velvet Chicken
Ingredientsย
For the chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes (see note 1)
- 1 tablespoon baking soda (see note 2)
Instructionsย
- In a medium bowl, toss chicken and baking soda together. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- Rinse chicken and pat dry, then use as directed in your stir fry recipe.
Notes
- Chicken: This velveting technique works on chicken thighs, wings, and drumsticks, and even beef, pork, shrimp, and tofu.
- Baking soda:ย Use baking soda to tenderize chicken for a tender, juicy texture. Youโll rinse the baking soda off afterwards, so you donโt actually taste it.
- Yield: This recipe is for 1 pound of chicken. Adjust recipe servings as needed for your stir fry recipe.