Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will transform your taste buds and set your dinner table on fire - literally with flavor! Szechuan Bang Bang Chicken is not just a recipe; it's a sensational journey through the bold and electrifying world of Szechuan cuisine. Imagine tender, succulent chicken draped in a mind-blowing sauce that combines the numbing heat of Szechuan peppercorns with the creamy richness of peanut butter - this dish is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Szechuan
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 500g chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 2 tbsp Szechuan peppercorns
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili oil
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Toast the Szechuan peppercorns in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Grind the toasted peppercorns into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, and half of the ground Szechuan peppercorn powder. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and well-blended.
- If not already prepared, cook the chicken breasts by poaching or baking until fully cooked through. Once cooled, shred the chicken into thin, bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Add the shredded chicken to the prepared sauce, tossing gently to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the spicy peanut sauce.
- Julienne the cucumber into thin, matchstick-sized strips using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer.
- Arrange the cucumber strips on a serving platter as a base, then carefully pile the sauced chicken on top of the cucumber.
- Sprinkle the remaining ground Szechuan peppercorns and sesame seeds over the chicken for additional flavor and garnish.
- Serve immediately at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly absorb into the chicken.
Tips
- Toasting Szechuan peppercorns is crucial - do it gently to release their unique, tingling flavor without burning.
- Use fresh, high-quality chicken breast for the most tender results.
- For an extra flavor punch, let the chicken marinate in the sauce for 15-30 minutes before serving.
- If you prefer less heat, adjust the amount of chili oil and Szechuan peppercorns.
- The key to perfect texture is shredding the chicken finely and evenly.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal temperature and sauce consistency.
- For added crunch, consider briefly toasting sesame seeds before sprinkling them as a garnish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 95mg
