Velvet Chicken with Snap Peas and Lemon-Ginger Sauce

Instructions

1. 1.

   For the Velvet Chicken and Blanched Snap Peas: Place the chicken in a medium bowl, cover with cold water, and vigorously agitate it. Drain through a fine-mesh strainer set in the sink and press on the chicken with your hands to remove excess water. Return the chicken to the bowl and add the salt, wine, baking soda, egg white, and cornstarch. Stir vigorously with your fingertips or chopsticks for 30 seconds. Let marinate in the fridge for at least 15 minutes and up to 8 hours.

2. 2.

   Bring 2 quarts of salted water to a hard boil in a small saucepan or wok. Add the snap peas and simmer until bright green but still crisp, about 45 seconds. Using a spider, transfer the peas to a wide plate in a single layer and set them aside to cool.

3. 3.

   Let the water return to a hard boil. Add the chicken, dropping it in a piece at a time to prevent sticking. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the water returns to a brief simmer and the chicken is mostly cooked through, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer the chicken to a rimmed baking sheet using a spider and spread it into a single layer to dry. Set aside. Dump out the contents of the wok and wipe clean.

4. 4.

   Make the Sauce: Combine soy sauce, wine, chicken stock, lemon juice, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl and stir together until homogenous. Set aside. Combine the cornstarch and water in a separate small bowl and stir with a fork until the cornstarch is dissolved.

5. 5.

   BEFORE YOU STIR-FRY, GET YOUR BOWLS READY: a. Lemon zest, garlic, and ginger, b. Scallions, c. Blanched snap peas on their plate, d. Velveted chicken on its baking sheet, e. Sauce, f. Cornstarch slurry, g. Serving platter

6. 6.

   To Stir-Fry: Heat a wok over high heat until lightly smoking. Add the oil and swirl to coat. Add the lemon zest, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Immediately add the scallions, snap peas, and chicken and toss thoroughly to combine. Stir-fry until the chicken is just cooked through and the snap peas are tender-crisp, about 30 seconds.

7. 7.

   Stir the sauce and add to the wok by pouring it around the edges. Stir the cornstarch slurry and add a splash. Cook, tossing, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through, about 30 seconds longer. Adjust the sauce consistency with more cornstarch slurry if it is too thin or a splash of water if it is too thick. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with steamed rice.