Description
Delicious chicken bao buns featuring tender, thinly sliced chicken breasts cooked in a savory-sweet Asian-inspired sauce, served in soft steamed bao buns with fresh shredded vegetables and a spicy mayo drizzle. Perfect for a flavorful and satisfying main course with a balance of textures and bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Sauce
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Aromatics and Oils
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Vegetables and Toppings
- 12 bao buns, store bought or homemade
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Sauces and Condiments
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics and chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, releasing their flavors without burning.
- Cook the chicken: Add the thinly sliced chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and fully cooked through, ensuring tenderness and juiciness.
- Make and add the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and black pepper until well combined. Pour this sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken beautifully.
- Steam the bao buns: While the chicken finishes cooking, steam the bao buns according to the package instructions or until they are soft, warm, and fluffy, ready to be filled.
- Prepare the spicy mayo: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and sriracha sauce to make a quick spicy mayo that will add creaminess and heat to the buns.
- Assemble the bao buns: Open each warm bao bun carefully. Fill each bun with a generous portion of the saucy chicken. Top with shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, and sliced green onions for freshness and crunch.
- Add finishing touches and serve: Drizzle the spicy mayo over the fillings and sprinkle with sesame seeds to add nutty flavor and a lovely crunch. Serve immediately while the buns are warm.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat.
- For extra crunch, add sliced cucumbers or pickled vegetables inside the buns.
- Bao buns are best served warm immediately after steaming to enjoy their soft, fluffy texture.
