Saliva Chicken - Chinese Recipe

Saliva Chicken

Classic Sichuan cold dish with tender chicken in spicy chili oil sauce

Prep Time15m
Cook Time30m
Yield4 servings
Cuisine
Spicy:
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ingredients

  • Chicken legs 2 (or whole chicken 500g)
  • Ginger 3 slices
  • Scallions 2 stalks
  • Cooking wine 1 tbsp
  • Sichuan peppercorn 1 tbsp
  • Chili powder 1 tbsp
  • Chili oil 3 tbsp
  • Light soy sauce 2 tbsp
  • Black vinegar 1 tbsp
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Sesame oil 1 tbsp
  • Sugar 1 tbsp
  • Sesame seeds as needed
  • Crushed peanuts as needed

Steps

  1. Boil chicken: Rinse chicken legs. Add water to pot with ginger, scallions, and cooking wine. Bring to boil, then simmer on medium heat for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Rest: Turn off heat, cover and let rest for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through but tender.
  3. Ice bath: Remove chicken, soak in ice water for 10 minutes to firm up the meat.
  4. Slice: Debone chicken, cut into even pieces. Arrange on plate.
  5. Make sauce: In bowl, add chili powder, minced garlic, sesame seeds. Pour hot chili oil over to release aroma.
  6. Season: Add soy sauce, black vinegar, sesame oil, sugar. Mix well.
  7. Pour sauce: Drizzle sauce evenly over chicken.
  8. Garnish: Sprinkle crushed peanuts and chopped scallions.
  9. Chill: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
  10. Serve: Remove from fridge and serve.

Tips

Tips: 1) Do not overcook chicken; 2) Ice bath makes meat more tender; 3) Heat chili oil before pouring; 4) Better flavor after chilling.