Sichuan pepper with chicken thighs is steamed, tender, fragrant, fresh and spicy, moisturizing and dry, and you will never forget to eat it once

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Sichuan pepper with chicken thighs is steamed, tender, fragrant, fresh and spicy, moisturizing and dry, and you will never forget to eat it once

Steamed chicken thighs with peppercorns, a delicious fusion of tradition and modernity. This dish is loved by a wide range of diners for its unique flavor and rich nutritional value. Sichuan peppercorns, these seemingly inconspicuous small grains, play an important role in the culinary history of China. It is not only a good seasoning product, but also an indispensable part of traditional Chinese medicine. And chicken thighs, as one of the common meats, are tender and rich in protein, and are frequent guests on the table of many families.

The origin of steamed chicken thighs with Sichuan pepper can be traced back to ancient China, and it was first recorded in the "Compendium of Materia Medica". The book mentions: "Sichuan pepper, pungent taste, warm nature, return to the spleen, stomach, kidney meridians." This shows that Sichuan pepper is not only a condiment, but also has the medicinal value of dissipating cold in temperature, sterilizing and relieving pain. Chicken thighs, as a representative of meat, also have the effect of "nourishing qi and nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness" in traditional Chinese medicine. The combination of the two not only makes the taste of the dish richer, but also gives it more healthy attributes.

Over time, steamed chicken thighs with peppercorns have developed into a popular home-cooked dish. Many celebrities have also praised it. For example, Su Dongpo, a writer in the Song Dynasty, once praised the aroma of Sichuan pepper, saying that "the fragrance is far away and clear, and the taste lasts for a long time". Modern culinary masters have taken the cooking skills of this dish to the extreme, making it reach a new height in taste and nutrition.

In terms of flavor characteristics, steamed chicken thighs with Sichuan pepper are known for their spicy and fragrant flavor and tender meat. The numbness of Sichuan pepper and the deliciousness of the chicken thighs are perfectly blended, making people have an endless aftertaste. This dish is not only popular in China, but also in Chinese restaurants around the world. Whether it's a family dinner or a gathering of friends, steamed chicken thighs with peppercorns are an indispensable delicacy.

Chicken thighs, as one of the main ingredients of this dish, also have the effect of "nourishing the qi in the middle and nourishing the yin and moisturizing dryness" in traditional Chinese medicine. Chicken thighs are rich in protein and a variety of trace elements, which can supplement the nutrients needed by the human body and enhance physical fitness. At the same time, the meat of chicken thighs is tender and easy to digest, making it suitable for people of all physiques.

Cooking preparation

Main ingredients:

• 500 grams of chicken thighs

Accessories:

• Sichuan pepper 10 grams
• Ginger 20 grams
• 1 green onion

Seasoning:

• Cooking wine 50 ml
• Light soy sauce 30ml
• Dark soy sauce 10ml
• Salt to taste
• 10 grams of sugar
• Water: Appropriate amount

Nutritional Information:

• Chicken thighs are rich in protein, vitamin B6, phosphorus, selenium and other nutrients, which help to enhance physical strength and improve immunity.
• Sichuan pepper contains volatile oil, alkaloids and other components, which have the effect of sterilization and pain relief.

Ingredient substitution options:

• Chicken thighs can be replaced with chicken breasts, but the taste will be different.
• Sichuan pepper can be replaced with other hemp flavor seasonings such as hemp pepper, but the flavor will change.

Cooking in detail

1) Prepare the chicken thighs. Clean the chicken thighs and make a few cuts on the drumsticks with a knife to make it easier to absorb the flavor.

2) Marinated chicken thighs. Put the chicken thighs in a bowl, add an appropriate amount of cooking wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, salt and sugar, stir well, and marinate for 20 minutes.

3: Prepare the excipients. Slice the ginger, cut the green onion into sections, wash the peppercorns and set aside.

4) Steamed chicken thighs. Put the marinated chicken thighs into a steaming plate, spread with ginger slices and green onions, sprinkle with Sichuan peppercorns, and add an appropriate amount of water.

5: Steamed. Put the steaming tray in the steamer and steam for 30 minutes on high heat until the chicken thighs are cooked through.

6: Remove from the pan. Remove the steamed chicken thighs and sprinkle with chopped green onions to increase the aroma.

7: Season to taste. Pour the juice from the steamed chicken thighs into a pot, add an appropriate amount of light soy sauce and sugar, and after boiling, pour the juice evenly over the chicken thighs.

Cooking tips

1. Marinating time: The time of marinating the chicken thighs should not be too long, so as not to get the meat old.
2. Steaming time: The steaming time should be adjusted according to the size and thickness of the chicken thighs to ensure that the chicken thighs are cooked thoroughly.
3. Dosage of Sichuan pepper: The amount of Sichuan pepper can be adjusted according to personal taste, but not too much, so as not to affect the deliciousness of the chicken thighs.
4. Steaming tray selection: Choose a steaming tray with holes, which allows the steam to circulate better and makes the chicken thighs more tender.

Chicken thighs: Choose fresh, firm chicken thighs, the color should be light red, avoid choosing chicken thighs that are too dark in color or have an odor.

The purchase of Sichuan pepper: choose the pepper with bright color and full particles, which smells strong and has a strong hemp fragrance.

Cooking principle

The cooking principle of steamed chicken thighs with pepper is mainly to make the meat of the chicken thighs more tender through steaming, and the aroma of Sichuan pepper can fully penetrate into the chicken thighs. During the steaming process, the protein of the chicken thighs is gradually denatured at high temperatures, and the meat becomes firmer, while the volatile oils and alkaloids in Sichuan peppercorns are released at high temperatures, increasing the aroma and flavor of the dish.

Cooking quiz

Question 1: What should I do if I find that the chicken thighs are not fully cooked during the steaming process? Answer: You can extend the steaming time, or cut the chicken thighs into small pieces before steaming.

Question 2: What should I do if the hemp smell of Sichuan pepper is too strong? Answer: You can appropriately reduce the amount of peppercorns, or soak them in water before steaming to reduce the numbness taste.

Question 3: What should I do if the meat is older after steaming? Answer: You can add an appropriate amount of egg white when marinating chicken thighs to increase the tenderness of the meat.

Question 4: What should I do if I find too much juice when steaming chicken thighs? Answer: You can use a kitchen paper towel to absorb the moisture of the chicken thighs before steaming to reduce the production of juice.

Share 4 related dishes

1. Spicy diced chicken

• Introduction: Spicy chicken is a classic Sichuan dish, known for its spicy and fragrant flavor and tender meat.
• Ingredients: chicken breast, dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, green onions, garlic.
• Flavor characteristics: spicy and fragrant, fresh and tender meat.
• Cooking Steps:
• Cut the chicken breast into cubes and marinate in cooking wine, light soy sauce and salt for 20 minutes.
• Soak the dried chili peppers and peppercorns in water until soft and cut into sections.
• Chop the ginger, green onions, and garlic and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a pan and stir-fry the diced chicken until it changes color.
• Add dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, green onions, garlic, stir-fry evenly, add salt and sugar, and remove from the pot.

2. Sichuan pepper chicken

• Introduction: Sichuan pepper chicken is a Sichuan dish with Sichuan pepper as the main seasoning, with a unique flavor.
• Ingredients: chicken, Sichuan pepper, dried chili, ginger, green onions.
• Flavor characteristics: spicy and fragrant, fresh and tender meat.
• Cooking Steps:
• Clean the chicken and cut it into cubes.
• Soak the peppercorns and dried chilies in water until soft and cut into sections.
• Chop the ginger and green onions and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a pan and stir-fry the chicken until browned.
• Add Sichuan pepper, dried chili, ginger and green onions, stir-fry evenly, add salt and sugar, and remove from the pot.

3. Kung Pao Chicken

• Introduction: Kung Pao Chicken is a classic Sichuan dish, known for its spicy and fragrant, sweet and sour taste.
• Ingredients: chicken breast, peanuts, dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, green onions.
• Flavor characteristics: spicy and fragrant, sweet and sour.
• Cooking Steps:
• Cut the chicken breast into cubes and marinate in cooking wine, light soy sauce and salt for 20 minutes.
• Fry the peanuts and set aside.
• Soak the dried chili peppers and peppercorns in water until soft and cut into sections.
• Chop the ginger and green onions and set aside.
• Heat the pan with cold oil, add the diced chicken and stir-fry until it changes color, add peanuts, dried chilies, peppercorns, ginger, green onions, stir-fry evenly, add salt and sugar, and remove from the pot.

4. Spicy chicken thighs

• Introduction: Spicy chicken thigh is a Sichuan dish with chicken thigh as the main ingredient, with a unique flavor.
• Ingredients: chicken thighs, Sichuan peppercorns, dried chilies, ginger, green onions.
• Flavor characteristics: spicy and fragrant, fresh and tender meat.
• Cooking Steps:
• Clean the chicken thighs and cut them into cubes.
• Soak the peppercorns and dried chilies in water until soft and cut into sections.
• Chop the ginger and green onions and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a pan and stir-fry the chicken thighs until they change color.
• Add Sichuan pepper, dried chili, ginger and green onions, stir-fry evenly, add salt and sugar, and remove from the pot.

Although steamed chicken thighs with peppercorns are delicious, there are some things that can be improved from a health point of view. First of all, Sichuan pepper has a strong numb flavor and may irritate the digestive system of some people, so moderate consumption is key. Secondly, although chicken thighs are rich in protein, they are also high in fat and cholesterol, so it is recommended to eat them with some vegetables to balance nutrition. In addition, the amount of salt and sugar can be reduced appropriately when cooking to reduce the intake of sodium and sugar, which is more in line with the concept of modern healthy eating.

Steamed chicken thighs with peppercorns are a charming dish with a unique flavor and a variety of cooking methods. We encourage every reader to innovate and improve this dish according to their own tastes and cooking habits. Whether you adjust the amount of peppercorns or try different pickling methods, you can make the dish more in line with your personal taste. At the same time, we also welcome everyone to share their cooking experiences and make valuable suggestions, so that we can explore more delicious possibilities together.

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