Lemon Shredded Chicken is a refreshing and appetizing cold dish. The chicken is boiled and hand-shredded into strips, making it incredibly flavorful. Combined with the fresh tang of lemon, the kick of spicy chilies, and the aroma of cilantro, it’s tangy, spicy, and absolutely addictive.
🌴 Ingredients:
· 2 chicken thighs (about 400g)
· 1 lemon (half sliced, half juiced)
· 2-3 small spicy chilies (sliced)
· 1 stalk cilantro (chopped)
🌴 Aromatics:
· 3 slices of ginger (for poaching)
· 1 stalk of scallion (for poaching)
· 4-5 cloves minced garlic
· A small pinch of toasted white sesame seeds (for garnish)
🌴 Seasonings:
· 3 tbsp light soy sauce (about 30ml)
· 1 tbsp Chinkiang vinegar (about 10ml)
· 1 tbsp sesame oil (about 10ml)
· 1 tbsp chili oil (about 10ml, optional)
· 1 tsp sugar (about 5g, to enhance flavor)
· 1 tbsp cooking wine (about 10ml, for poaching)
· Salt, to taste
🌴 Instructions:
- Poach the Chicken
Place the chicken thighs in a pot of cold water with ginger, scallion, and cooking wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and immediately soak it in ice water for 5 minutes. Drain and shred by hand. ⚠️ Note: Never skip the ice water bath; it’s the key to firm meat and crispy skin. I’ve tried skipping it, and the chicken turned out soggy. - Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the light soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, chili oil, sugar, and salt. Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and mix well. ⚠️ Note: The lemon juice is the soul of this dish; don’t skip it. I’ve tried it without, and the flavor was flat. - Mix and Serve
Place the shredded chicken in a large bowl. Add the minced garlic, chilies, cilantro, and lemon slices. Pour in the dressing and mix well. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve. ⚠️ Note: Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving for better flavor.
💡 Tips:
The key to Lemon Shredded Chicken is “tender chicken, tangy and refreshing flavor.” Soak the chicken in ice water after poaching for a firm texture. The lemon juice is essential; don’t skip it. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving for the best taste.
If you enjoy this tangy and spicy flavor, you should also try my Mouthwatering Chicken. For more cold dishes and appetizers, check out my Cold Dishes category.
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