Lighter General Tso's Chicken

Lighter General Tso's Chicken (Adapted from Everyday Food)

1 cups brown basmati rice
1/2 cup cold water
1/4 cup cornstarch, divided
16 ounces snow peas, trimmed and halved crosswise
4 garlic cloves, minced or sliced
2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
16 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 1" pieces
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided

In a large pot of boiling salted water, add brown rice and cook, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes. Drain and place rice back into the pot - cover tightly and leave pot off heat to steam, for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Stir in snow peas, garlic, ginger, sugar, soy sauce and crushed red pepper.

In another bowl, whisk together egg whites, remaining 3 tablespoons cornstarch, salt and pepper. Add chicken and toss well to coat.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Remove half of the chicken from the egg white mixture and shake off excess - place into the skillet and cook, turning pieces occasionally, until golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate - repeat with remaining oil and chicken. Transfer chicken to the plate.

Add snow-pea mixture to the skillet - cover and cook until snow peas are tender and sauce has thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Place chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat. Serve with rice.

Makes 4 servings.

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