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Hunan-Style Shredded Sesame Chicken

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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
serves
4 peoplechevron

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

0 lb

Water

cups

Scallions, cut in half crosswise

each

Ginger, peeled and lightly smashed

0.25 inches

Garlic Clove, peeled but left whole

each

Sugar

tablespoons

Salt

teaspoons

Poaching Liquid, reserved from above

cups

Sesame Seed Paste

tablespoons

Dark soy sauce

tablespoons

Sesame Oil

teaspoons

Chinkiang Vinegar

tablespoons

Shaoxing Wine

tablespoons

Hot Pepper Oil

teaspoons

Finely Sliced Scallions

tablespoons

Minced Garlic

teaspoons

Minced Ginger, peeled

teaspoons

Sugar

teaspoons

Salt

teaspoons

Shredded Iceberg Lettuce

cups

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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