salsa

Five-Spice Chicken Bites With Plum Salsa

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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