Recipe for the “Chicken in Red Oil”

This is a common cold dish in Chinese restaurants. Simply put, it’s poached chicken soaked in a spicy red oil sauce.

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs: 4 pieces
• Ginger: 3 slices
• Green onions (scallions): 2 stalks
• Star anise: 2 pieces
• Sichuan peppercorns: a moderate amount
• Dried red chilies: 10-15 pieces (adjust to desired spiciness)
• Garlic: 5 cloves (minced)
• Coriander: appropriate amount
• Peanuts: a handful (optional)

Seasoning

• Soy sauce: 2 tbsp
• White sugar: 1 tbsp
• Rice vinegar: 1.5 tbsp
• Sesame paste (or sesame butter): 2 tbsp
• Chili oil: appropriate amount (adjust to taste)
• Black vinegar: 1 tbsp
• Sichuan pepper oil: 1 tbsp (optional)
• Salt: to taste
• White sesame seeds: a handful (optional)

Cooking Step

1. Prepare the chicken: Clean the chicken thighs, removing any excess fat. Place the chicken in a pot with enough water to cover it. Add the ginger slices, green onion stalks, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns. Bring the water to a boil, skim off the foam, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
2. Cool the chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and place it in an ice water bath for about 10 minutes to maintain its tenderness.
3. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, white sugar, sesame paste, chili oil, black vinegar, and Sichuan pepper oil (optional). Mix thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and well-blended.
4. Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the water bath, drain it, and remove the bones. Shred or cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large bowl.
5. Make the chili oil: Heat some oil in a pan and add the dried red chilies and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry until fragrant. Pour the hot chili oil into the prepared sauce and mix well.
6. Toss the chicken: Pour the chili sauce over the shredded chicken, stirring gently to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce.
7. Serve: Transfer the seasoned chicken to a serving plate. Garnish with minced garlic, coriander, white sesame seeds, and peanuts (optional) for extra flavor and texture.

Good Luck!

github: ShrewdVan

back to index.