Mala Chicken

Method6 steps · about 37 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Cut the dried chilies into sections, discard their seeds and soak in water 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly before frying.

   Soak dried chilies 15 minutes · 15 minUses 1.5 cup chili peppers · Water as needed for soaking dried chilies

2. 2

   Step 2: Debone the chicken thighs (4) and cut into small bite-size cubes. Mix with light soy sauce (1 tbsp.), rice wine (1 tbsp.), white pepper, optional cornstarch (2 tsp.) and the small pinch of marinade salt. Marinate 10 minutes.

   Marinate chicken 10 minutes · 10 minUses 4 chicken thighs · 1 tbsp. soy sauce · 1 tbsp. rice wine · ¼ tsp. white pepper powder · 2 tsp. cornstarch (optional) · small pinch of salt

3. 3

   Step 3: Heat cooking oil in a pan or wok and fry the marinated chicken in batches until golden and cooked through,165°F(74°C). Let the first side set about 40–60 seconds before stirring; that is an initial browning stage, not the total cooking time. Lift out and drain.

   Uses Marinated chicken thigh cubes · Cooking oil as needed for frying chicken

4. 4

   Step 4: Get a clean wok and add only 1/2 tablespoon of oil and then fry the peppers for 1-2 minutes over slowest fire until most of them becomes dark red. Add Sichuan peppercorn (1.5 tbsp.) in and continue frying for another 1 minute over slowest fire.

   Fry chilies 1–2 minutes, then peppercorns 1 minute · 3 minUses 1/2 tablespoon cooking oil for chilies · Soaked thoroughly drained dried chilies · 1.5 tbsp. Sichuan peppercorn

5. 5

   Step 5: Push the spices to one side and add 1/2 tablespoon of oil in wok and fry ginger, scallion white and garlic (2 cloves) until aromatic.

   Uses Fried dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns · Additional 1/2 tablespoon cooking oil for aromatics · 1 root ginger (sliced) · 2 cloves garlic · Chopped scallion whites

6. 6

   Step 6: Return the chicken cubes, add roasted white sesame seeds, sugar (1 tsp.), salt and scallion green sections. Mix well and serve immediately.

   Uses Cooked fried chicken cubes · Fried chilies, peppercorns and aromatics · 1 tsp. sugar · 1 tbsp. sesame seeds (or as needed) · pinch of salt · Reserved scallion greens