Sichuan Spicy Chicken Cubes, or "La Zi Ji," is a beloved dish known for its crispy texture, numbing spice, and bold flavors. Here’s a comprehensive guide to mastering it at home.
Ingredients: 500g chicken thighs (cut into 2cm cubes), 2 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns, 10 dried chilies, 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp ginger (grated), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp starch, and oil for deep-frying.
Steps:
1. Marinate the chicken: Toss chicken with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, and starch. Let sit for 20 minutes.
2. Prepare aromatics: Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Fry Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant, then remove. Fry dried chilies until crispy, set aside.
3. Cook the chicken: Deep-fry marinated chicken at 180°C until golden and crispy (3-4 minutes). Drain oil.
4. Stir-fry: In the same wok, sauté garlic and ginger until aromatic. Return chicken and peppercorns/chilies to the wok. Add a pinch of salt (soy sauce is salty) and toss quickly.
Key Tips: For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken. Adjust chili quantity to spice preference. Serve hot with steamed rice or as a appetizer. This dish perfectly balances the tingling heat of Sichuan peppercorns with the richness of chicken, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
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