Chinese Soy Sauce Chicken Recipe

1 whole chicken, cut into parts
1/3-1/2 cup soy sauce (use low sodium if you like)
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1/4 cup rice wine or dry sherry
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, crushed
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
1-2 piece star anise
2 cloves garlic
chopped birds eye chilis (optional)
1 stalk scallions, chopped
sesame seeds"




1. Mix all ingredients, except chicken, scallions, sesame seeds in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add chicken, then let simmer 30-40 minutes, turning chicken pieces occasionally.
3. Remove chicken pieces from sauce and set aside in a serving platter.
4. Skim fat from the sauce, thicken it with cornstarch mixture (1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 TB water) and pour the sauce over chicken.
5. Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds and serve with rice.