Crispy Sesame Chicken and Ginger Rice

• servings: 6 servings
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2 inch cubes

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten free all-purpose flour)

kosher salt and black pepper

2 cups broccoli florets

2 shallots, sliced

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil

1/2 cup pomegranate juice

1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

4 cloves garlic, grated

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, use more or less to taste

1 star anise

1 bay leaf

1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

green onions, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 475° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with oil.2. Add the chicken, egg, and a pinch of pepper to a bowl. Toss to combine. Add the flour to another bowl. Dredge the chicken in batches through the flour, tossing to coat. Place the chicken on one side of the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the broccoli and shallots to the other side of the pan and toss with 2 more tablespoons of oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 12 minutes. Toss the broccoli, flip the chicken, and return to the oven another 3-5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, combine the pomegranate juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, star anise, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes. Set over medium-high heat and bring the sauce to a boil. Boil 5-8 minutes, until the sauce thickens and reduces by about 1/3. Stir in the chicken, broccoli, and sesame seeds. Cook until the sauce coats the chicken. 4. Serve the chicken, broccoli, and sauce over bowls of ginger rice (recipe in notes) topped with green onions.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal