Spicy Szechuan Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

step 1

• STEP 1.1 cut 1 lb chicken breast into bite size pieces. Place it in a mixing bowl.

step 2

• STEP 2.2 add 1 ½ tbsp chinese cooking wine, 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp black pepper powder, 1 tsp garlic powder or freshly ground garlic, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp five spice powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp baking soda and 3 tbsp cornstarch. Mix well till the liquid is gone and there are no lumps of cornstarch.

step 3

• STEP 3.3 cover and set the chicken aside to marinate for 30 minutes.

step 4

• STEP 4.4 to deep fry the chicken, heat oil to 350 degrees fahrenheit. When a piece of chicken is added into the oil it should rise to the surface almost immediately and be covered in bubbles. This indicates that the oil is at the correct temperature.

step 5

• STEP 5.5 add the chicken to the hot oil separately, to prevent them from clumping together in the oil. Gently push them apart while they are frying to ensure that they do not stick to each other.

step 6

• STEP 6.6 fry for a minute and take them out of the hot oil using a sieve.the pieces are small and cook quickly.

step 7

• STEP 7.7 place them on kitchen paper towels. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes.

step 8

• STEP 8.8 return the chicken to the hot oil and fry for another 40 seconds till the chicken turns golden brown. Take them out of the hot oil. Turn off the heat and set them aside.

step 9

• STEP 9.9 for the stir fry, heat the wok on high heat for 10 seconds and then turn the heat to low.

step 10

• STEP 10.10 add ¼ cup oil, ¼ cup sichuan peppercorn, ⅓ cup minced garlic, ⅓ cup ginger strips, 1 handful white part spring onions chopped, 3 to 4 pieces of face heaven chillies (optional) slit open.

step 11

• STEP 11.11 stir for a few seconds and then add 3 cups of dry red chillies and mix all the ingredients together.

step 12

• STEP 12.12 add 1 tsp salt and mix it in. This helps release all the flavours.

step 13

• STEP 13.13 stir on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, til the aromas come through.

step 14

• STEP 14.14 taste a piece of sichuan peppercorn, it should be edible after frying.

step 15

• STEP 15.15 at this point add the fried chicken pieces and mix everything together.

step 16

• STEP 16.16 add a splash of water from the side of the wok. This will help the chicken absorb the flavours.

step 17

• STEP 17.17 keep stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and serve garnished with sesame seeds