Wolfgang Puck Recipes

Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashews and Pine Nuts

Sear the chicken lightly, about 1 minute each side.

Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashews and Pine Nuts

Serves 4

I don't usually use corn starches to thicken my sauces. Instead, I prefer stock reductions and the addition of a little butter, which gives the sauces a much more delicate and richer consistency.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons peanut oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup plum wine or sherry
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons chopped peeled ginger
1/2 teaspoon crushed chili pepper flakes
1-1/4 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons Wolfgang's Asian Rib Sauce
1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
1/2 cup each 1-inch cubes of yellow and red bell pepper
2 scallions, cut into 1-inch slices
1/4 cup each cashews and pine nuts
4 tablespoons (2 ounces) unsalted butter

In a 10-inch skillet or wok, heat the peanut oil until smoking.
Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper and sear, about 1 minute on each side. Deglaze the pan with the plum wine or sherry and stir in the garlic, ginger and chili flakes. Pour in the stock and reduce by half (sauce will begin to thicken). Add the rib sauce, mushrooms, peppers, scallion and nuts, and cook 1 or 2 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until chicken is done. Stir in the butter and correct seasoning to taste.

Spoon the stir-fried chicken onto a large heated serving platter, arranging all the ingredients evenly throughout. Or divide among 4 heated plates and serve immediately.

Wine Recommendation:

Look for a big, rich California Chardonnay to accompany this dish. For less expensive wines you might want to consider Estancia, Beringer or Sonoma Cutrer. Or look for one of the new varietals from Pay d'Oc in France.