SZECHWAN FRIED CHICKEN

Szechwan Fried Chicken image

Provided by Lou van

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

500 g chicken breasts (cut into bite size pieces)
4 tablespoons cornflour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon vinegar
2 teaspoons Chinese wine or 2 teaspoons dry sherry
1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder (extra)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cornflour
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup oil (for frying)
15 dried red chilies (seeded)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely chopped
4 spring onions (chopped in 2 inch lengths)

Steps:

Mix chicken together with the cornflour(4 tbsp), salt and five spice powder (1/2 tsp), toss then dust offexcess cornflour.
Mix stock, sugar, soy, sesame oil, vinegar, wine, five spice and pepper together.
In a small bowl mix cornflour (2 tsp) and cold water.
Heat oil in a wok and when very hot add chicken pieces, a third at a time and fry on a high heat, tossing the chicken to brown all over.
As each batch is fried drain on absorbent paper and let oil return to a high heat before adding next batch.
When chicken has been fried pour off all but 2 tbsp of the oil.
Add chillies, garlic and ginger and fry until garlic and ginger are golden and chillies are dark.
Add spring onions and toss for a few seconds, then add stock and bring to the boil.
Stir the cornflour and water mixture again to mix smoothly and add to the pan, stirring constantly until it boils and thickens.
Add chicken and toss to heat through.
Serve immediately with white rice.