Spicy Sichuan Ghost Chicken

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
• 6 dried red chili peppers 6 dried red chili peppers
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 6g, 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 10-12 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool. Once cooled, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. 2.
   In a wok or large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the Sichuan peppercorns and dried chili peppers. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the wok. Stir-fry for another minute.
4. 4.
   Add the shredded chicken to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes.
6. 6.
   Remove the wok from heat and transfer the Spicy Sichuan Ghost Chicken to a serving dish. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
7. 7.
   Serve hot and enjoy the fiery flavors of this authentic Sichuan dish!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sichuan peppercorns — Toast the peppercorns in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant. This step enhances their flavor before using them in the recipe.

Tips & Tricks

• Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer dried chili peppers according to your preference.
• For an extra kick, sprinkle some additional Sichuan peppercorns on top before serving.
• Serve the Spicy Sichuan Ghost Chicken with steamed rice or noodles to balance the heat.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, remove the seeds from the dried chili peppers before using them in the recipe.
• Make a larger batch of the chili oil and store it in a sealed jar for future use in other Sichuan dishes.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy Sichuan Ghost Chicken as a main course accompanied by steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for added freshness and color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the shredded chicken on a platter, allowing the vibrant red chili peppers to stand out. Drizzle the dish with the homemade chili oil for an enticing visual appeal.