Chongqing Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Mix cooking sherry, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt and pepper for the marinade in a bowl. Add chicken pieces and set aside to marinate.
• Combine chicken stock, chile paste, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch for the sauce in a bowl. Stir until well combined, add sesame seeds, and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chile peppers and cook until they turn dark red, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and fry chicken pieces until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add cracked pepper, ginger, garlic, salt, white parts of scallions, and peanuts. Fry an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Add reserved chiles and sauce. Cook and stir until mixture has thickened or desired consistency is reached, about 5 minutes. Garnish with additional sesame seeds and green parts of scallions.

Steps:

• 1.Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, and egg whites. Coat the chicken with the marinade mixture and let sit for 10 minutes. 2.Mix together the ingredients for the sauce: chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, chicken stock or water, Chinese black vinegar, cornstarch, and Sichuan pepper. Set aside. 3.In a large bowl or plate, mix together the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in cornstarch mixture and shake off the excess cornstarch. 4.Heat the 3 cups of peanut or vegetable oil in your wok until it registers 350°F on an instant-read oil thermometer. Working in 2 or 3 batches, add the first batch of chicken cubes and fry until golden brown on the outside and cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the rest of the chicken. 5.Drain the oil into a heatproof container and save for discarding. Wipe the wok with a paper towel to remove any brown bits, but don't wash. 6.Reheat the wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add another 1 tablespoon of oil and swirl to coat the base and sides. Add the dried chilis to the wok and and stir-fry until just they start to blister, about 30 to 60 seconds. Add the leeks, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Stir in sauce mixture and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Add the fried chicken, toss to combine, and remove from heat. Serve immediately.