15 chess chicken recipes for a practical and irresistible meal

Composed of a mixture of cayenne pepper, pieces of chicken and peanuts, the chess chicken, a typical dish of Asian cuisine, also became popular among Brazilians. Considered one of the most popular dishes in China, this is known in the region as “Gong bao ji ding”.

Its probable origin was in the Qing dynasty, in the province of Sichuan, when an emperor of this locality decided to honor Ding Baozhen, a governor who fulfilled many works in that region, earning the title of Gong bao (protector of the palace).

This emperor, who was a fan of gastronomy, liked to invite friends to taste his inventions. It was from a recipe devised by him that the chess chicken came, earning the name Gong bao ji ding, the title bestowed on its creator with the addition of ji ding, meaning pieces of chicken from the palace guard. In Brazil, it received the name of chess chicken due to the color of the dish, which has green and red peppers, in addition to the chicken cut into cubes.

A common dish in any Asian restaurant in Brazil, this one takes the original elements, but it is possible to find slight variations in its ingredients, according to the region. Check out a selection of delicious chess chicken recipes below and try this traditional dish:

1. Traditional chess chicken: considered the traditional recipe for the dish, here ingredients such as soy sauce, grated ginger, balsamic vinegar and the use of champignons give the characteristic flavor of Asian cuisine. This recipe serves up to four people and is ideal to accompany white rice.

2. Simple chess chicken: a simpler and quicker version of the dish, takes less ingredients, but is just as tasty. Here it is suggested the use of both yellow and red and green peppers, each with its own peculiarity and flavor. The sauce is made by the shoyu, mixed with water and corn starch, making it more full-bodied.

3. Adapted chess chicken: as the author reveals, this recipe is adapted according to the cook’s personal taste. Here, in addition to the traditional use of peppers, cubed chicken and peanuts, broccoli is one of the ingredients that complements the flavor and nutrients of the dish.

4. Chicken chess in stages: to prepare this recipe, it is necessary to act in stages: first, cut the chickens and let them marinate in the seasoning. Then sauté the sliced ​​onions in soy sauce and olive oil. Then cut the peppers and sauté them. Fry the chicken and only then combine all the ingredients in a pan, adding the sauce.

5. Spicy chess chicken: for the pepper flavor to stand out, use pepperoni. In order to make the dish more flavorful, use sesame oil instead of any other common oil when you sauté the ingredients.

6. Breaded chess chicken: the differential of this recipe is in the chicken, which instead of being sautéed, is breaded in corn starch and fried, guaranteeing a differentiated texture to the dish. In addition, steamed broccoli and carrots were added, giving the dish a greater richness of flavor.

7. Chess chicken with demerara sugar: another traditional feature of Asian dishes is the sweet and sour taste. Here it is represented by demerara sugar, which will be added to the sauce, making the chess chicken even more special.

8. Checked chicken in the pressure cooker: ideal option for those days when the meal needs to be ready in a maximum of 30 minutes. To prepare it, just put all the ingredients in a pressure cooker. Seeking to ensure the burning caused by the flavor of ginger, use grated ginger tea.

9. Checkered soy protein: special option for vegans or vegetarians, instead of using chicken in its preparation, soy protein is the chosen one. This must be soaked in a mixture of soy sauce and ginger for a few hours before its preparation, ensuring greater softness and flavor.

10. Chess chicken with a touch of whiskey: in this preparation, the drink is added in the preparation of the sauce, making it tastier. In order to make the flavor more oriental, the sesame was heated along with the oil, being mixed with the other ingredients gradually.

11. Chicken chess with walnuts and almonds: great option for those who do not like the taste of peanuts, or even for those who are allergic to it, here the crunchiness is guaranteed by the addition of walnuts and almonds in the ready-to-eat dish, leaving it with different textures and flavors.

12. Chess chicken with broccoli and cashews: in this simpler version, in addition to chicken and garlic, broccoli is chosen as the vegetable used. This is cooked briefly and, together with the whole cashews, will make the dish more crunchy and delicious.

13. Chess chicken with zucchini, carrots and mushrooms: in this idea, in addition to the traditional ingredients, a carrot and zucchini cut into cubes are still used. Sake and sesame oil also contribute to the recipe’s strong flavor.

14. Chess chicken with a touch of turmeric and ginger: the main tip for this recipe is to season the chicken at least 2 hours in advance, leaving it to marinate and ensuring better flavor to the protein. Powdered ginger tea is present again and turmeric, a traditional Asian spice, adds flavor and color to the dish.

15. Light chess chicken: to make the meal richer in nutrients and flavors, ingredients such as bean sprouts, zucchini, carrots and broccoli are used. The lighter part is by preparing the chicken in a non-stick skillet, without the use of oil.

Versatile dish, it can be adapted to any taste, just replace the least appreciated ingredient with another of your preference. The important thing is to keep the base of a protein, vegetables or vegetables and soy sauce, so that it resembles the original recipe. Let your creativity flow and good appetite!