
Scallion chicken is a delightful dish that's ready in under 20 minutes, making it a perfect choice for a quick and budget-friendly meal. This recipe combines humble ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying dish that's sure to impress.
This recipe has become a staple in my kitchen due to its simplicity and delicious taste. The combination of tender chicken thighs and sweet scallions creates a harmonious blend of flavors that's hard to resist. Whether served with rice, noodles, or pasta, this dish is a winner every time.
Essential Ingredients
- Chicken: Chicken thigh is the preferred cut for this recipe, as it remains tender and juicy even when cooked for a longer time. Avoid using chicken breast, as it can become tough and dry.
- Scallion: Both the white and green parts of scallions are used in this recipe. The white parts are added first, as they take longer to cook, while the green parts are added towards the end for a fresh, oniony flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Two types of soy sauce are used in this recipe - regular and dark. Regular soy sauce provides saltiness, while dark soy sauce adds color and a slightly caramelized flavor. If you don't have dark soy sauce, you can omit it and use half the amount of regular soy sauce instead.
- Oyster Sauce: Oyster sauce acts as a flavor enhancer in this recipe, adding depth and umami to the dish. If you don't have oyster sauce, you can omit it, but the dish may lack some of its signature flavor.
Preparing the Chicken
- Mix the chicken thighs with soy sauce, oyster sauce, pepper, and corn starch, then marinate for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the scallions, separating the white parts from the green parts.
Pan Frying the Chicken
- Add the chicken pieces to a non-stick pan with oil over medium heat, and pan fry until fully cooked. Make sure the chicken is cooked through, especially if you're using larger pieces or pieces with bones.
Adding the Scallions
- Add the white parts of the scallions to the chicken and cook until softened. If you're using larger chicken pieces or pieces with bones, cover the pan with a lid and cook until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Finally, add the green parts of the scallions and stir for 10-20 seconds to cook them.
Serving the Scallion Chicken
- Sprinkle more pepper powder or scallions if desired and serve with rice or noodles. This dish is versatile and pairs well with various carb options, making it a great addition to your midweek meal rotation.

Cooking Tips
- Food Safety: When cooking chicken dishes, safety comes first. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked through. If you've cut the pieces larger, you'll need to cook them for a bit longer.
- Non-Stick Pan: A non-stick pan works best for this dish, especially since we use corn starch in the recipe.
- Sugar: You can add sugar or honey if you prefer a sweeter taste, but I find that scallions become sweet enough once cooked.
This scallion chicken recipe is a quick, budget-friendly, and flavorful dish that's perfect for any night of the week. With its tender chicken thighs, sweet scallions, and savory sauces, it's a dish that's sure to become a favorite in your household. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
- Chicken thighs are recommended for this recipe.
- → Can I use a different type of soy sauce?
- You can use any type of soy sauce you prefer, but dark soy sauce is recommended for a richer flavor.
- → How can I make this recipe less spicy?
- Reduce the amount of black pepper powder to make it less spicy.
- → What can I serve with this dish?
- Serve with a side of rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- → How long does this recipe take to prepare?
- It takes about 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook, totaling 20 minutes.