Easy Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups: Your Perfect Party Appetizer & Quick Weeknight Meal
When planning a memorable gathering or simply looking to add excitement to a weeknight dinner, appetizers that are both easy to prepare and bursting with flavor are always a winning strategy. Allow us to introduce the star of your next menu: Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups. These culinary gems are more than just a dish; they’re a delightful experience, coated in a rich, savory, and subtly sweet hoisin sauce glaze that makes them absolutely irresistible. Their exceptional taste and charming bite-sized format make them perfect for entertaining, ensuring your guests are captivated from the first bite. What’s even better? With just a few simple adjustments, this flavorful chicken can effortlessly transform into a wholesome and satisfying stir-fry, making it an ideal solution for those busy weeknights when time is of the essence.
This post is part of sponsored recipe development on behalf of Lee Kum Kee. All opinions are my own.
Why Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups Are Your Go-To Appetizer
There’s a special charm about appetizers. They offer a delightful preview of what’s to come, allowing guests to sample various flavors without committing to a full plate. For many, including myself, a well-curated selection of appetizers can be a meal in itself, and these Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups perfectly embody that philosophy. Served in light, crispy phyllo shells, they provide a textural contrast that elevates the tender, savory chicken filling. Their convenient, individual portions make them an excellent choice for parties, allowing your guests to easily enjoy them while mingling and socializing.
Bringing Authentic Asian Flavors to Your Table
This holiday season, I’m excited to collaborate with Lee Kum Kee to add a delicious and exciting Asian twist to traditional festive menus. While classic roasts and customary sides often take center stage during the holidays, there’s no reason to limit your culinary horizons. Incorporating the vibrant and aromatic flavors of Asian cuisine can bring a refreshing and unexpected dimension to your celebrations. In our home, Asian food is a beloved part of our everyday diet, so integrating these cherished tastes into our holiday spread feels like a natural extension, offering wonderful variety and a touch of the exotic.
For over 15 years, recipes like my Five Spice Pork Lo Mein have been a consistent favorite, a staple that never fails to satisfy. The secret to its incredible depth of flavor lies in the harmonious blend of aromatic five-spice powder and the rich, complex notes of Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce. This brings us to the hero ingredient: Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce. This irresistibly delicious sweet sauce is masterfully crafted from carefully selected spices, high-quality soybeans, and sweet potatoes. It’s this signature sauce that truly elevates dishes, transforming both the classic lo mein and these fantastic, perfectly portioned Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups into something truly special and memorable.
Essential Ingredients for Your Hoisin Chicken Cups
Creating these delightful Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups is surprisingly simple, requiring a minimal list of readily available ingredients. The key to their outstanding flavor lies in the quality of these components, especially the sauces, which form the heart of this dish. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to gather to bring this recipe to life:
- Chicken Breast: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small, even pieces. This ensures quick and uniform cooking, making the chicken perfectly tender and easy to spoon into the phyllo shells. For a slightly richer flavor, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used.
- Sesame Oil: A foundational ingredient in authentic Asian cooking, sesame oil adds a distinct nutty aroma and flavor. Lee Kum Kee’s Pure Sesame Oil is particularly exceptional, providing an unparalleled depth that truly enhances the dish.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is vital for a pungent, aromatic base that complements the other strong flavors in the sauce.
- Fresh Ginger: Pairing beautifully with garlic, fresh minced ginger introduces a warm, subtly spicy, and bright note, essential for that authentic Asian zest.
- Hoisin Sauce: The star of this recipe! Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce delivers the iconic balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that define this dish, creating a beautiful glaze.
- Water: A small amount of water is used to thin the hoisin sauce slightly, ensuring it coats the chicken evenly and creates a perfectly balanced glaze without becoming overly thick.
- Salt and Pepper: These basic seasonings are crucial for bringing out the natural flavors of the chicken and balancing the overall taste profile.
- Phyllo Shells: Pre-made mini phyllo shells are a fantastic shortcut, providing a delicate, crispy, and elegant vessel for your chicken filling, saving you considerable time and effort.
- Sesame Seeds: Used as a garnish, toasted sesame seeds add a pleasant crunch, a subtle nutty flavor, and an attractive visual finish to the cups.
- Chives: Finely chopped fresh chives offer a mild, delicate onion flavor and a vibrant green color, providing a fresh contrast to the rich hoisin chicken.
Simple Steps to Crafting Perfect Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups
One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its remarkably simple and quick preparation. You’ll be delighted by how effortlessly these elegant appetizers come together, making them an ideal choice for last-minute entertaining or as a speedy component for a larger meal. Follow these easy, step-by-step instructions to create your own batch of utterly delicious Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups:
- Prepare the Phyllo Shells: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully arrange the delicate mini phyllo shells in a single layer on a baking sheet. These pre-made shells benefit from a quick bake, typically 8-10 minutes according to package instructions, which crisps them up beautifully and ensures they are warm and ready to be filled with the flavorful chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: While the phyllo shells are in the oven, start preparing your chicken. Season the small, bite-sized pieces of chicken breast evenly with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fragrant sesame oil to the pan, swirling it around to ensure the bottom is lightly coated. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s wonderfully browned on all sides. This crucial browning step develops deep, rich flavors in the chicken.
- Infuse with Aromatics: Reduce the heat slightly if needed, then stir in the minced garlic and fresh ginger. Continue to cook for approximately 1 minute, or until you notice the kitchen filling with their inviting and intense fragrance. This signals that their flavors have been fully released into the chicken.
- Glaze the Chicken: Now for the magic! Pour the luscious Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce along with the water over the chicken in the skillet. Mix everything thoroughly, ensuring every piece of chicken is perfectly coated in the rich, glossy glaze. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce visibly thickens and clings beautifully to the chicken, creating a delectable coating.
- Assemble and Serve: Once the chicken is perfectly glazed and the phyllo shells are warmed, carefully spoon the hot hoisin chicken mixture into each crispy phyllo shell. For an elegant finish and an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and a dash of finely chopped fresh chives. Serve these exquisite Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups immediately to ensure maximum crispness of the phyllo and the warmth of the succulent filling.
Mastering authentic Asian flavors at home is truly simplified when you use high-quality ingredients. This is precisely why Lee Kum Kee is a brand I wholeheartedly recommend and trust. They offer an impressive selection of over 200 authentic Asian sauces and condiments, all crafted with a steadfast commitment to premium-quality, non-GMO ingredients. I must particularly emphasize the transformative power of their Pure Sesame Oil. It’s an ingredient that can genuinely elevate a simple meal, imparting a depth of flavor and a captivating aroma that I haven’t found in any other brand. These hoisin glazed chicken cups are a testament to how incredible flavor can be achieved with minimal effort and the right ingredients, coming together in mere minutes.
Transform Your Hoisin Chicken into a Flavorful Weeknight Stir-Fry
While these Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups shine as fantastic appetizers, the versatile and delicious hoisin chicken filling has even more to offer! It can be effortlessly adapted and scaled up to create a complete, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful meal, making it perfect for those busy weeknights. If you’re looking to turn this appetizer recipe into a hearty and wholesome stir-fry, here are some simple steps and ideas to guide you:
- Boost the Protein: To create a substantial main course, simply double the amount of chicken breast (or thighs) called for in the original recipe. This ensures a satisfying protein portion for your dinner.
- Amplify the Sauce: With more chicken and additional vegetables, you’ll want more sauce to coat everything beautifully. Double the quantities of both the hoisin sauce and water to create a generous amount of that luscious, sweet-and-savory glaze for your stir-fry.
- Load Up on Vegetables: This is your opportunity to customize and add a vibrant array of nutrients! Incorporate an abundance of your favorite stir-fry vegetables. Excellent choices include crisp broccoli florets, crunchy water chestnuts, sweet snap peas, vibrant shredded carrots, colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), sliced mushrooms, baby corn, or even nutrient-rich bok choy. Aim for a colorful mix for both nutritional benefits and visual appeal. Cook them until they are tender-crisp.
- Serve Over a Base: The classic way to enjoy a stir-fry is over a bed of fluffy white or wholesome brown rice. The rice acts as a perfect canvas, soaking up all the exquisite hoisin sauce and making for a truly comforting and complete meal. Alternatively, you could serve your stir-fry with a variety of noodles (like lo mein or ramen), quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
This stir-fry adaptation is not only quick and straightforward but also remarkably customizable, allowing you to utilize whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand, thereby minimizing food waste and maximizing delicious, fresh flavors. It’s a smart and tasty way to enjoy a homemade meal even when time is tight.
Expert Tips for Hoisin Chicken Perfection
To ensure your Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups, or their stir-fry counterpart, turn out perfectly every single time, keep these invaluable tips in mind. They’ll help you achieve restaurant-quality results with ease:
- Master the Mise en Place: When venturing into Asian-style cooking, speed is often a factor, as many dishes cook very quickly over high heat. To prevent anything from overcooking and to ensure a seamless process, it’s absolutely crucial to practice “mise en place” – having all your ingredients prepped, chopped, and measured before you even turn on the stove. This means your hoisin sauce and water should be ready, and your garlic and ginger finely minced and waiting.
- Choose Your Chicken Wisely: While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a lean and popular choice, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be a fantastic alternative. Thighs offer a slightly richer, deeper flavor and tend to remain exceptionally tender and juicy, even if slightly overcooked, making them more forgiving.
- Embrace Extra Sauce: If you, like many, appreciate a dish that is wonderfully saucy and intensely flavorful, feel free to double the amount of hoisin sauce and water specified in the recipe. This will create a more generous and luscious glaze for your chicken, ensuring every single bite is thoroughly coated and bursting with that signature sweet and savory taste.
- Beyond Appetizers: Make it a Full Meal: As we’ve extensively discussed, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Don’t limit it to just an appetizer! Follow the simple modification steps outlined above to effortlessly transform this delectable chicken into a robust and satisfying stir-fry. It’s an excellent and quick way to enjoy these irresistible flavors as a main course any night of the week.
- Serve Immediately for Best Texture: For the ultimate experience with your Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups, it’s highly recommended to serve them immediately after assembling. This ensures that the delicate phyllo shells retain their optimal crispness, providing a wonderful textural contrast to the warm, tender, and succulent chicken filling.
- Storage and Reheating Smartly: If you happen to have any leftover hoisin chicken filling (before it’s placed into phyllo shells), store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Remember that phyllo shells are best enjoyed fresh and crispy, so it’s advisable to only fill as many as you plan to consume in one sitting.
Our kitchen is always buzzing with Asian-inspired creations, from hearty Asian Noodle Bowls with Pork to lightning-fast stir-fries. It’s incredibly convenient and inspiring that Lee Kum Kee empowers home cooks like us to effortlessly recreate authentic, restaurant-quality Asian tastes and complex flavors right within the comfort of our own homes. Their unwavering dedication to using premium ingredients truly shines through in every single dish we prepare using their products, making every meal a celebration of taste.
More Delightful Appetizer Recipes to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with these Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups and are eager to discover more fantastic appetizer ideas for your next party, a casual get-together, or simply for the joy of trying something new, you’re in luck! Here is a curated selection of other crowd-pleasing recipes that are sure to be a hit and add excitement to any occasion:
- Baked Mexican Cheese Dip
- Cucumber Sandwiches
- Shrimp Summer Rolls
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Sausage Wonton Cups
- Avocado Chicken Bites
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
- Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups Recipe Card
Hoisin Glazed Chicken Cups
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Ingredients
- 1/2 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, cut into small pieces
- 2 teaspoons Lee Kum Kee Pure Sesame Oil
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Ginger, minced
- 1/3 cup Lee Kum Kee Pure Hoisin Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Water
- Salt and Pepper
- 30 Mini Phyllo Shells
- 2 teaspoons Sesame Seeds
- 2 teaspoons Chives, finely chopped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Arrange phyllo shells on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until hot.
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Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add sesame oil, swirling to coat. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
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Add chicken to pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until browned. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
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Pour hoisin sauce and water over the chicken. Mix until well coated. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce is thickened.
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Spoon chicken into phyllo shells.
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Sprinkle sesame seeds and chives over the top. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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