Fire Ladder Chicken

🍽️ Recipe Card: Fire Ladder Chicken (Gluten-Free)

Overview

A wok-seared chicken stir-fry with garlic, ginger, and a glossy chili sauce.
Allergen-friendly: No peanuts, eggs, peas, or gluten.
Spice Scale: Adjustable from mild (1) to fiery (10).
Vegetable Module: Choose crisp + tender + umami for balance.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken thighs or breast, thinly sliced

Aromatics

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced

  • Optional: dried red chilies or Sichuan peppercorns (for higher spice levels)

Vegetables (Pick 1–2 from each category)

  • Crisp: broccoli florets, baby corn, snow peas (if allowed), bell pepper, zucchini

  • Tender/Leafy: bok choy, napa cabbage, spinach, choy sum

  • Umami/Depth: shiitake mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, button mushrooms, daikon radish

Sauce (Gluten-Free)

  • 3 tbsp tamari (soy sauce alternative)

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

  • 1 tbsp chili paste (or chili crisp if gluten-free)

  • 1 tsp sesame oil

  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (for thickening)

Spice Scale Control 🌶️

  • Level 1–3: ½ tsp chili paste, no chili oil

  • Level 4–6: 1 tbsp chili paste, drizzle 1 tsp chili oil

  • Level 7–10: 2 tbsp chili paste, 2 tsp chili oil, add dried chilies or Sichuan peppercorns

Method

  1. Marinate chicken: Toss slices with 1 tbsp tamari and cornstarch slurry. Rest 15 minutes.

  2. Stir-fry aromatics: Heat wok until hot, add oil, garlic, ginger, and chilies (if using).

  3. Cook chicken: Add chicken, stir-fry until browned (3–4 minutes).

  4. Add vegetables: Toss in your chosen crisp + tender + umami mix. Stir-fry until just tender.

  5. Finish with sauce: Pour in remaining tamari, vinegar, chili paste, and sesame oil. Toss until glossy.

  6. Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles (gluten-free).

Chef’s Notes

  • Use the “Three-Texture Rule”: crisp + tender + umami for balance.

  • Keep chili oil on the side so diners can “climb the ladder” themselves.

  • Chicken thighs give juiciness; breast keeps it lean.

🛒 Fire Ladder Chicken Shopping List

🐔 Protein

  • [ ] 1 lb chicken thighs or breast (boneless, skinless)

🧄 Aromatics

  • [ ] Garlic (1 bulb)

  • [ ] Fresh ginger root

  • [ ] Scallions (1 bunch)

  • [ ] Optional: dried red chilies or Sichuan peppercorns (for higher spice levels)

🥬 Vegetables (Pick 1–2 from each category)

Crisp Options:

  • [ ] Broccoli florets

  • [ ] Baby corn

  • [ ] Zucchini or yellow squash

Tender/Leafy Options:

  • [ ] Baby bok choy

  • [ ] Napa cabbage

  • [ ] Spinach or choy sum

Umami/Depth Options:

  • [ ] Shiitake mushrooms

  • [ ] King oyster mushrooms

  • [ ] Daikon radish

🍶 Sauce Ingredients (Gluten-Free)

  • [ ] Tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)

  • [ ] Rice vinegar

  • [ ] Chili paste or chili crisp (check for gluten-free label)

  • [ ] Sesame oil

  • [ ] Cornstarch

🍚 Optional Base

  • [ ] Jasmine rice or gluten-free rice noodles

 

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