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    Hunan-Style Shredded Sesame Chicken

    clock-icon245 minutes
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    Pixicook editorial team

    Tender, flavorful shredded chicken paired perfectly with a fresh crunch of iceberg lettuce in a savory sesame sauce.

    Ingredients for Hunan-Style Shredded Sesame Chicken

    units in
    USchevron
    units in
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    serves
    4 peoplechevron
    serves
    4 peoplechevron

    Bone-in, Skin-on Whole Chicken Breasts, rinsed thoroughly and drained

    0 lb

    Substitute chevron-down

    Water

    cups

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    Scallions, cut in half crosswise

    each

    Substitute chevron-down

    Ginger, peeled and lightly smashed

    0.25 inches

    Substitute chevron-down

    Garlic Clove, peeled but left whole

    each

    Substitute chevron-down

    Sugar

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Salt

    teaspoons

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    Poaching Liquid, reserved from above

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Sesame Seed Paste

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Dark soy sauce

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Sesame Oil

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Chinkiang Vinegar

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Shaoxing Wine

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Hot Pepper Oil

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Finely Sliced Scallions

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Minced Garlic

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Minced Ginger, peeled

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Sugar

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Salt

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Shredded Iceberg Lettuce

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    How to Make Hunan-Style Shredded Sesame Chicken

    1. Poach the Chicken

    Place the chicken breasts in a wok or a large pot. Add the water, scallions, ginger, garlic, sugar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let the chicken cook for about 25 minutes. After simmering, remove the pot from the heat and let the chicken rest in the hot liquid for another 15 minutes.

    2. Refrigerate the Chicken

    Remove the chicken from the poaching liquid, cover it, and refrigerate it for about 3 hours.

    3. Prepare the Sauce

    In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup of the poaching liquid with sesame seed paste, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, Chinkiang vinegar, Shaoxing wine, Hot Pepper Oil, finely sliced scallions, minced garlic, minced ginger, sugar, and salt. Stir this mixture well until it is smooth and well combined. Let the sauce sit at room temperature until you are ready to use it.

    4. Shred the Chicken

    Once the chicken has chilled, take it out of the refrigerator. Remove and discard the skin and bones. Gently hit the meat with a rolling pin to break down the fibers. Then, using your hands, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

    5. Combine Chicken with Sauce

    In a large bowl, toss the shredded chicken with the prepared sauce until the chicken is evenly coated.

    6. Serve

    Spread the shredded iceberg lettuce on a serving platter, creating a bed of crisp greens. Mound the sauced chicken on top of the lettuce. Your Hunan-Style Shredded Sesame Chicken is now ready to serve.

    Variations

    Kung Pao Chicken

    Though similar to Szechuan, this dish is less about the numbing flavor and more about the tangy and sweet notes. Use chicken, dried chilies, and a sauce that includes hoisin sauce for sweetness. Add roasted peanuts for a Kung Pao signature touch.

    Szechuan-Style Stir-Fry

    Swap the chicken for beef slices, use Szechuan peppercorns and doubanjiang (fermented broad bean and chili paste) for the heat. Add peanuts for a crunchy element.

    Sweet and Sour Stir-Fry

    Keep the chicken or use tofu, make a sauce with pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup (for sweetness and color), and a bit of soy sauce. Include pineapple chunks and bell peppers for a classic sweet and sour combination.

    Protein Play

    While chicken is the protein of choice, you can easily substitute it with thinly sliced beef, pork, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option. The key is to maintain the shredding or slicing for a similar texture.

    Citrus Twist

    Add the zest and juice of an orange or lemon to the sauce. This will brighten the flavors and add a new layer of complexity. A grapefruit could also work if you're looking for a more bitter note.

    Pitfalls and tips

    Ingredient Quality

    Opt for organic, free-range chicken and ensure that garlic, ginger, and scallions are fresh and fragrant for the best flavor and texture.

    Balancing Flavors

    Taste and adjust the Hunan sauce to ensure a perfect balance of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet without any overpowering elements.

    Toasting Sesame Seeds

    Toast your own sesame seeds until golden to release oils and enhance flavor, essential for the dish.

    Preparation

    Hand-shred the cooked chicken to achieve a fibrous and uneven texture for better flavor absorption.

    Cooking Technique

    Use a properly heated wok or pan for quick cooking at high heat to sear the chicken and vegetables, locking in flavors and adding 'wok hei'.


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