Serves 6 to 8 (as an appetizer)
Ingredients
6 boneless skinless Smart Chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder*
2 tablespoons rice bran oil or canola oil
9 ounces plum sauce*
2 plums, diced
1 tablespoon chopped chives
Juice of half a lime
*Find Chinese five spice in the spice aisle, or make your own by combing 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon crushed anise seed or 1 ground star anise, ¼ teaspoon crushed fennel seed, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, and ? teaspoon ground cloves.
*Plum sauce is a sweet and sour condiment used in Chinese cuisine. Find it in the ethnic food aisles of most grocers.
Directions
Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and five-spice powder. In a large sauté pan over high heat, sear the chicken in the oil until golden brown. Add the plum sauce, reduce heat to medium, and let glaze about 5 minutes. In a small mixing bowl, toss the plums, lime juice, and chives. Spoon some of the sauce on a serving platter, top with chicken bites, and garnish with the plum salsa.
Recipe created by Benjamin Maides, Chef, Au Courant Regional Kitchen, Omaha, Nebraska