What is Princess Chicken? A Guide to This Sweet and Spicy Chinese Dish

Princess Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that has been gaining popularity worldwide over the last few years. But what exactly is Princess Chicken and how did it get its royal name? Keep reading to learn all about this delicious sweet and spicy dish!

A Brief History of Princess Chicken

While the exact origins of Princess Chicken are unknown, it’s believed to have originated in China. The earliest known mention of the dish is from the 1990s in Taiwan.

The name “Princess Chicken” comes from the visual appearance of the dish With its glistening brown sauce coating tender pieces of chicken, it was said to resemble the beautiful silk gown of a Chinese princess.

China and other parts of Asia served more of the dish before it made its way to restaurants in North America and Europe in the early 2000s. Princess Chicken is now on the menus of many Chinese restaurants around the world!

What Makes Up Princess Chicken?

So what exactly goes into making this royal dish? Here are the key components:

• Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts are most commonly used. The chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces.

• Aromatics: Fresh herbs like lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and green onions are used to make food taste great.

• Sauce: Sesame oil, hoisin sauce, ketchup, honey, and spices are mixed together to make the sauce. It’s sticky, glossy, and slightly sweet.

• Vegetables – Onions, red bell peppers, mushrooms, and cashews are typical additions.

• ** Chili paste or chili flakes** – This is key for adding a hint of spiciness and heat.

The sauce ingredients are combined and used to marinate the raw chicken. Then the chicken and vegetables are stir-fried or pan-seared before the sauce is added back to the pan and allowed to thicken.

The Taste and Texture of Princess Chicken

So what does Princess Chicken actually taste like? Here’s a breakdown of the key flavors:

• Sweet – The honey, hoisin sauce, and ketchup create a mild sweetness.

• Salty – Soy sauce and oyster sauce add saltiness.

• Savory – Sesame oil, garlic, and ginger offer an umami pop.

• Spicy – Chili paste brings on gentle heat.

• Crispy – The chicken gets a bit caramelized and crispy during cooking.

• Sticky – The sauce has a lovely thick, glossy texture.

The combination of flavors is complex but very well balanced. No single flavor overpowers. Instead, you get a harmony of sweet, salty, savory, and spicy in each bite.

The chicken itself is very tender, while the vegetables add nice crunch. The cashews offer a subtle nuttiness. Overall, the texture is quite satisfying.

How to Order Princess Chicken at a Restaurant

Here are some things you should do when you see Princess Chicken on a Chinese restaurant’s menu:

• Ask how spicy it is – some restaurants make it very mild while others amp up the heat. Request mild, medium, or spicy to match your preferences.

• Choose white or brown rice – the sweet sauce pairs nicely with fluffy white rice, but brown rice adds extra nuttiness.

• Request extra vegetables if you want more – additional peppers, mushrooms, etc can be added.

• Ask for cashews on the side – this prevents them from getting soggy in the sauce.

• Sauce on the side – you can control the sauciness level by dipping or drizzling.

• Specify chicken – ask for 100% chicken breast or thigh if you want to avoid dark meat.

How to Make Princess Chicken at Home

Want to recreate this royal dish at home? Here’s an overview of how to make Princess Chicken:

Marinade:

• Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger and chili paste.

• Add chicken and let marinate 15-30 minutes.

Sauce:

• Heat oil and stir-fry aromatics like garlic and ginger.

• Add ketchup, soy sauce, hoisin, honey, vinegar, and spices.

• Let sauce thicken slightly.

Chicken and Veggies:

• Stir-fry marinated chicken until browned and cooked through.

• Add veggies like onions, peppers, mushrooms, snap peas.

• Pour in sauce and toss everything together.

• Mix in roasted cashews.

• Serve over steamed white or brown rice.

The great thing about making it at home is that you can control the spice level and proportions of chicken to veggies and sauce. Experiment to create your perfect version!

Princess Chicken Pairings and Serving Suggestions

Princess Chicken is delicious on its own, but certain sides and extras can take it to the next level:

• Steamed jasmine or basmati rice – the fluffy, mild grains perfectly soak up the sauce.

• Fried rice or lo mein noodles – the sweet sauce flavors the rice or noodles.

• Steamed broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy – bright green veggies balance the rich chicken.

• Roasted cashews or peanuts – add extra crunch for texture.

• Fresh lime – a squeeze of tangy lime brightens up each bite.

• Sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or chili oil – these amp up the heat level if you like spicy.

• Sesame seeds – sprinkle these on top for nuttiness and crunch.

• Green onion garnish – fresh raw green onions add freshness.

Occasions for Serving Princess Chicken

Princess Chicken is versatile enough to be served for all sorts of occasions:

• Weeknight dinners – It comes together quickly for busy weeknights.

• Luncheons or brunches – A lighter Princess Chicken salad or wrap makes a nice lunch.

• Parties or game day – It’s easy to make a big batch for a crowd.

• Date nights – The sweet sauce makes it a crowd-pleaser for dates.

• Holiday gatherings – Try it as an appetizer or meal for holidays.

• Kid-friendly meals – Most kids love the mild sweet-spicy flavor.

However you choose to enjoy Princess Chicken, just make sure to have an extra napkin or two on hand – the sauce can get a bit messy! But that sticky sweet sauce clinging to the chicken is half the fun.

The Popularity and Availability of Princess Chicken

From its origins in Taiwan, Princess Chicken has taken the world by storm. Within mainland China, you’ll find it featured prominently on restaurant menus. In Chinatowns and Asian communities worldwide, Princess Chicken has also become a staple.

As the global popularity of Asian cuisine continues to rise, Princess Chicken is gaining more mainstream fame as well. You may see it in grocery store freezer or fresh food sections, on menus at casual dining establishments, or in meal kit delivery services.

While it was once an obscure dish, Princess Chicken can now be found in most major cities worldwide. Just look for it next time you’re dining at an Asian restaurant or browsing the prepared foods at a market.

Should You Give Princess Chicken a Try?

If you enjoy the combination of sweet and spicy flavors, Princess Chicken is certainly worth trying. The glistening, sticky sauce with tender chicken and crisp veggies creates a hugely satisfying texture and flavor experience. It also happens to be very easy to prepare at home.

Overall this dish represents the very best of Chinese cuisine – a beautiful balance of tastes and textures that meld together in perfect harmony. So if you spot it on a menu or at your local Asian market, grab some Princess Chicken and treat yourself to the royal treatment! Just be sure to have extra napkins or rice ready to soak up every last drop of that incredible sauce.