「Mouthwatering Chicken」

Ingredients and amounts

• 20ml cooking oil
• 500g chicken (half a chicken)
• 20g chili powder
• 20g Sichuan peppercorns (about 30 pieces)
• 30g peanuts (about 10 pieces)
• 50g scallions (about 2)
• 20g ginger (1 small piece)
• 10g garlic (about 2 cloves)
• 5g sugar
• 5ml light soy sauce
• 5ml vinegar
• 5g MSG
• 5g ground Sichuan pepper
• 5g cilantro

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Step 1

   Slice the ginger. Set aside 1 scallion and 15 Sichuan peppercorns.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Wash the chicken. Place it in a pot with enough water to cover. Add ginger slices, scallion, and Sichuan peppercorns. Bring to a boil over high heat.

3. 3

   Step 3

   After boiling, reduce to medium-low heat and cook for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Remove the chicken and immediately transfer to ice water until completely chilled.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Remove the chicken, cut into pieces, and arrange on a plate. Set aside.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Over low heat, toast the peanuts in a dry pan until the skins crack. Stir constantly to prevent burning.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Cut 1 scallion into sections. Mince the garlic. Set aside 15 Sichuan peppercorns. Peel and chop the peanuts.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Heat oil in a pan. Add scallion sections, Sichuan peppercorns, and half the minced garlic. Stir-fry until fragrant.

9. 9

   Step 9

   When the oil reaches 80% hot (about 180°C), turn off the heat and strain out the hot oil.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Pour the hot oil into a bowl with chili powder. Stir, then strain to obtain red chili oil.

11. 11

    Step 11

    Add the remaining minced garlic, light soy sauce, vinegar, salt, MSG, sugar, sesame oil, and ground Sichuan pepper to the red chili oil. Stir and let cool.

12. 12

    Step 12

    Sprinkle chopped peanuts over the chicken. Pour the red chili oil mixture over the chicken. Garnish with cilantro. Serve.