Main Courses Recipes - Chinese-style Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cucumber (peeled and cut into matchsticks)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 4 boneless chicken breasts

• 4 tablespoons soy sauce

• Pinch of Chinese five-spice powder

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 3 tablespoons sunflower oil

• 2 tablespoons sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

• 2 tablespoons dry sherry

• 2 carrots (cut into matchsticks)

• 8 spring onions (shredded)

• 75g/3oz bean sprouts 

For the sauce:

• 4 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter

• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 2 teaspoons sesame oil

• 1/4 teaspoon hot chili powder

• 1 spring onion (finely chopped)

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Place the cucumber matchsticks in a colander, sprinkle with the salt and cover with a plate with a weight on top. Set the colander in a bowl or on a deep plate to catch the drips and leave to drain for 30 minutes.

2. Put the chicken portions into a large pan and just cover with water. Add 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, the five-spice powder and lemon juice, cover and bring to the boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes.

3. Lift out the poached chicken with a slotted spoon and leave until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard the skins and bash the chicken lightly with a rolling pin to loosen the fibers. Slice into thin strips and reserve.

4. Heat the oils in a large frying pan or wok. Add the sesame seeds, fry for 30 seconds and then stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and the sherry. Add the carrots and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until just tender. Remove from the heat and reserve.

5. Rinse the cucumber well, pat dry with kitchen paper and place in a bowl. Add the spring onions, bean sprouts, cooked carrots, pan juices and shredded chicken, and mix together.

6. Transfer to a shallow dish. Cover and chill for about 1 hour, turning the mixture in the juices once or twice.

7. To make the sauce, cream the peanut butter with the lemon juice, sesame oil and chili powder, adding a little hot water to form a paste, then stir in the spring onion.

8. Arrange the chicken mixture on a serving dish and serve with the peanut sauce.