Chicken Thighs, Stirred Up and Fried Hard #50ShadesOfChicken

Are you ready for another tantalizing recipe from Fifty Shades of Chicken?

This is one of my favorites. It was so good! There was just a bit leftover and I had placed it in the fridge, all ready to take to work with me the next day and have it for lunch.

Someone ate it. All. I was pissed! Well, mostly thoroughly disappointed because I really was looking forward to enjoying it. Again. And if I had even more, I would've enjoyed it...twice in one day. Or more.

The way it's described in the cookbook (in a round about way) is perfect: "I lie exhausted on a bed of rice. He leans over me, tasting me and savoring the juices that are still dripping from me...."Satisfied, Miss Hen?"" This sentence, of course, is written from the chicken's point of view.

You will want to clean your plate and go in for round two with these juicy, tender thighs.

Chicken Thighs, Stirred Up and Fried Hard
aka (for the children's sake) Stir-Fried Chicken with Spinach and Peanuts
Printable Version

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, patted dry
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon honey
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (or peanut oil if you happen to have some)
1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 bunch of green onions, white and green parts separated
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup unsalted roasted peanuts (optional. I didn't have any on hand this time)
Cooked rice

Cut the chicken into sizes that are easily nibbled. Season with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl mix together the broth, soy sauce, cornstarch and honey, using a whisk. Set aside.

Heat a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sesame oil and allow to heat for a few seconds.

Add the chicken and stir-fry "hard, fast, and furiously" until its golden brown, yet not quite cooked through. This should take about 5 - 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate and "make it beg you to finish if off."

To the skillet, add the onion whites, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Cook until for about 30 seconds, bringing out the fragrance. Add the spinach and stir-fry for another minute.

Add the broth mixture to the pan and heat to a simmer, scraping up the brown bits which will add to the flavor of your sauce. Let the sauce simmer "until it is thick and velvety", about a minute or two.

If you're using the peanuts, now is the time to add them, along with the begging chicken, and the onion greens.

Stir it around in the sauce until it is good and tousled, the sauce is the desired thickness, and the chicken is done, about 2 minutes or so.

Serve over a bed or rice.

If you have the patience to savor the incredible flavors, I recommend enjoying these thighs with a pair of chop sticks.

Note: quotes and recipe are from Fifty Shades of Chicken by FL Fowler