Chicken Egg Foo Young

Chicken Egg Foo Young is a medium Chinese recipe that serves 2. 460 calories per serving. Recipe by Cook! Stacey Cook on YouTube.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 50 min

Cost: $6.78 total, $3.39 per serving

Ingredients

  • 300 g Chicken Breast (cut into thin slices)
  • 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (low‑sodium preferred)
  • 2 Tbsp Water (for chicken marination)
  • 1 tsp Granulated Sugar
  • 0.25 tsp Baking Soda (tiny pinch to tenderize chicken)
  • 2 Tbsp Cornstarch (divided: 1 Tbsp for chicken, 1 Tbsp for gravy)
  • 1 tsp White Pepper Powder (divided: half for marination, half for seasoning)
  • 3 Tbsp Cooking Oil (vegetable or canola oil, divided)
  • 2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
  • 2 stalks Green Onions (separate white stems and green tops)
  • 0.25 Onion (thin strips, about a quarter of a medium onion)
  • 100 g Bean Sprouts (fresh, rinsed)
  • 3 Eggs (large, beaten)
  • 2 Tbsp Cornstarch (for thick egg slurry (mixed with cold water))
  • 4 Tbsp Cold Water (2 Tbsp for thick slurry, 2 Tbsp for thin slurry)
  • 240 ml Unsalted Chicken Broth (low sodium)
  • 1 tsp Sesame Oil (for finishing the gravy)
  • to taste Salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare aromatics and vegetables

    Mince the two garlic cloves. Slice the green onions, keeping the white stems separate from the green tops. Cut a quarter of an onion into thin strips. Rinse 100 g of bean sprouts and set aside.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Make thick egg slurry

    Crack the three eggs into a mixing bowl and beat lightly. In a small bowl combine 2 Tbsp cornstarch with 2 Tbsp cold water, stir until smooth (thick slurry). Add the slurry to the beaten eggs and whisk until fully incorporated.

    Time: PT3M

  3. Slice and marinate chicken

    Slice the chicken breast into thin strips. In a bowl combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp water, 1 tsp sugar, ¼ tsp baking soda, 1 Tbsp cornstarch, ½ tsp white pepper and 1 Tbsp cooking oil. Add the chicken strips, toss to coat, and let sit for 5 minutes.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Prepare thin cornstarch slurry for gravy

    In a small bowl mix 1 Tbsp cornstarch with 2 Tbsp cold water until smooth. Set aside.

    Time: PT1M

  5. Cook chicken and aromatics

    Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a frying pan over medium‑high heat. When shimmering, add the marinated chicken and the white stems of the green onions. Stir‑fry until chicken is nearly cooked (about 4‑5 minutes). Add minced garlic, onion strips, and bean sprouts; continue stir‑frying until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are still crisp.

    Time: PT8M

    Temperature: medium‑high

  6. Combine chicken with egg mixture

    Transfer the cooked chicken and vegetables to the bowl with the egg slurry. Add a pinch of white pepper, a pinch of salt, and the green tops of the green onions. Mix gently until everything is evenly coated.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Pan‑fry the egg fu yan

    Add a little more oil to the pan if needed. Using a ladle, scoop equal portions of the egg‑chicken batter into the pan, spacing them apart. Fry until the bottom is golden brown (≈3 minutes), then flip and fry the other side until golden.

    Time: PT6M

    Temperature: medium‑high

  8. Make the gravy

    Remove the cooked egg fu yan and set aside. In the same pan, pour in 240 ml unsalted chicken broth, add 1 Tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sugar. Bring to a vigorous boil, then slowly stir in the thin cornstarch slurry. Cook until the sauce thickens, then finish with 1 tsp sesame oil.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: medium‑high

  9. Serve

    Place the golden‑brown egg fu yan on a serving plate, drizzle the hot gravy over the top, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

    Time: PT1M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
460
Protein
32 g
Carbohydrates
28 g
Fat
22 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Gluten‑free (use tamari if needed), Dairy‑free, Nut‑free

Allergens: Eggs, Soy, Sesame

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Chicken Egg Foo Young

Recipe by Cook! Stacey Cook

A quick Chinese‑style chicken egg pancake (Egg Fu Yan) served with a silky soy‑sugar gravy. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and packed with garlic, green onion, onion, and bean sprouts. Perfect for a family dinner with rice.

MediumChineseServes 2

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
9m
Prep
27m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
46m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$6.78
Total cost
$3.39
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Marinating the chicken with baking soda and cornstarch for tenderness.
  • Creating the thick egg slurry without lumps.
  • Keeping bean sprouts crisp during the final stir‑fry.
  • Pan‑frying the egg fu yan to a uniform golden brown.
  • Thickening the gravy with a smooth cornstarch slurry.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle raw chicken with separate utensils to avoid cross‑contamination.
  • Hot oil can splatter – use a splatter guard if desired.
  • Ensure the gravy reaches a rolling boil to fully cook the cornstarch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Chicken Egg Fu Yan in Chinese cuisine?

A

Egg Fu Yan (蛋餚) is a traditional Cantonese street‑food style egg pancake that dates back to early 20th‑century Guangzhou. It was originally a simple way to stretch eggs with thinly sliced meat or seafood, making a hearty yet inexpensive meal for laborers.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Egg Fu Yan in Chinese cuisine?

A

In Guangdong, the dish is often made with shrimp or pork and served plain. In Shanghai, a sweeter soy‑sugar glaze is common, while in Sichuan versions, chili oil and peppercorns add heat. The chicken version follows the Cantonese style but uses chicken breast for a leaner texture.

cultural
Q

How is Egg Fu Yan traditionally served in Cantonese households?

A

It is typically plated hot, drizzled with a light soy‑sugar gravy, and eaten with steamed white rice. Sometimes a side of pickled vegetables or a small bowl of clear soup accompanies the meal.

cultural
Q

During which celebrations or occasions is Egg Fu Yan commonly prepared in Chinese culture?

A

Egg Fu Yan is a popular everyday comfort food rather than a festive dish, but it is often served at family gatherings, birthday luncheons, or as a quick weekday dinner because it can be prepared in under an hour.

cultural
Q

What authentic ingredients are essential for a traditional Chicken Egg Fu Yan versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Authentic ingredients include Cantonese soy sauce, chicken breast, fresh bean sprouts, and a thin cornstarch slurry. Substitutes can be tamari for gluten‑free soy sauce, turkey breast for chicken, or snow peas instead of bean sprouts without drastically changing the flavor.

cultural
Q

What other Chinese dishes pair well with Chicken Egg Fu Yan?

A

It pairs nicely with steamed jasmine rice, a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar, and a clear broth soup such as egg drop soup. For a fuller meal, serve alongside stir‑fried bok choy or a hot and sour soup.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Chicken Egg Fu Yan at home?

A

Common errors include over‑cooking the chicken, letting the bean sprouts become soggy, using too much water in the cornstarch slurry (which makes the gravy thin), and frying the egg pancake at too low a heat, resulting in a greasy, pale crust.

technical
Q

Why does this Chicken Egg Fu Yan recipe use a thick egg slurry and a separate thin cornstarch slurry for the gravy?

A

The thick slurry binds the egg and chicken together, giving the pancake structure, while the thin slurry allows the gravy to coat the pancake without becoming gloopy. Using two different consistencies ensures both the pancake and sauce have the right texture.

technical
Q

Can I make Chicken Egg Fu Yan ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

You can marinate the chicken and prepare both slurries up to 2 hours in advance, keeping them refrigerated. Cook the pancake and gravy just before serving; leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days but will lose crispness, so re‑heat in a hot skillet.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when pan‑frying the egg fu yan?

A

The edges should be crisp and golden brown, while the interior remains tender and slightly fluffy. The pancake should hold its shape without falling apart when flipped.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Cook! Stacey Cook specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Cook! Stacey Cook focuses on approachable home‑cooking tutorials, often featuring quick Asian-inspired dishes, comfort foods, and step‑by‑step guides for busy home cooks.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Cook! Stacey Cook's approach to Chinese cooking differ from other Chinese cooking channels?

A

Stacey Cook emphasizes simplicity and minimal equipment, breaking down classic Chinese recipes into easy‑to‑follow steps with clear visual cues, whereas many other channels may use more specialized tools or complex techniques.

channel

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