Chinese-Style Chicken

Chinese-style chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken strips with a refreshing mix of vegetables and a creamy peanut sauce. This recipe serves 4 and offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes. The chicken is poached and then sliced into thin strips, creating a succulent and juicy base for the dish. The matchstick-cut cucumber, carrots, spring onions, and beansprouts add a crisp and fresh element to the salad. The creamy peanut sauce, infused with sesame oil and a hint of spice, complements the chicken and vegetables perfectly. With its vibrant colors and bold flavors, Chinese-style chicken is a crowd-pleasing dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as part of a larger Chinese feast. Get ready to savor the tastes of Asia with this delightful recipe!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into matchsticks
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• Pinch of five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
• 8 spring onions, shredded
• 75g/3oz beansprouts

For the Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon hot chili powder
• 1 spring onion, finely chopped

PREPARATION:

1. Put the cucumber matchsticks in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and cover with a plate with a weight on top. Set the colander in a bowl or on a deep plate to catch the drips and leave to drain for 30 minutes.
2. Put the chicken breasts in a large pan and cover with water. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, five-spice powder, and lemon juice. Cover the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
3. Lift out the poached chicken with a slotted spoon and let it cool enough to handle. Remove and discard the skin. Lightly bash the chicken with a rolling pin to loosen the fibers. Slice it into thin strips. Reserve.
4. Heat the sunflower oil and sesame oil in a large frying pan or wok. Add the sesame seeds and fry for 30 seconds. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and the sherry. Add the carrots and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Remove from the heat and reserve.
5. Rinse the cucumber well, pat dry with kitchen paper, and put it in a bowl. Add the spring onions, beansprouts, cooked carrots, pan juices, and shredded chicken. Mix everything together. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish. Cover and chill for about 1 hour, turning the mixture once or twice.
6. To make the sauce, combine the peanut butter, lemon juice, sesame oil, chili powder, and spring onion. Cream the mixture, adding a little hot water to form a paste.
7. Arrange the chicken mixture on a serving dish and serve with the peanut sauce.

YIELD: This recipe serves 4.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Make sure to drain the cucumber matchsticks well to remove excess moisture.
• Adjust the amount of chili powder in the sauce according to your preferred level of spiciness.
• For extra flavor, you can lightly toast the sesame seeds before adding them to the dish.

TIPS:

• Customize the dish by adding other vegetables such as bell peppers, snow peas, or shredded cabbage.
• For added crunch, you can sprinkle some crushed peanuts over the chicken mixture before serving.
• Serve the Chinese-style chicken with steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

In conclusion, Chinese-style chicken is a delightful and flavorful dish that brings together tender chicken strips, fresh vegetables, and a creamy peanut sauce. This recipe serves 4 and offers a satisfying combination of textures and tastes.

To prepare the dish, start by poaching the chicken breasts until cooked through. Then slice the chicken into thin strips after removing the skin. Meanwhile, drain and pat dry the cucumber matchsticks, and combine them with shredded spring onions, beansprouts, and cooked carrots. Mix everything together and chill the mixture in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld.

In a separate bowl, cream together the peanut butter, lemon juice, sesame oil, chili powder, and spring onion to create a creamy and tangy sauce. Adjust the spiciness of the sauce by adding more or less chili powder according to your preference.

When ready to serve, arrange the chilled chicken mixture on a serving dish and drizzle the peanut sauce over it. The combination of the tender chicken, refreshing vegetables, and creamy peanut sauce creates a delightful symphony of flavors and textures.

Feel free to customize the dish by adding your favorite vegetables or adjusting the spiciness of the sauce to suit your taste buds. The Chinese-style chicken can be enjoyed as a main course or served as part of a larger Chinese-inspired meal.

So, prepare this delicious Chinese-style chicken dish, and savor the vibrant flavors and textures that it brings to your dining table.