Spicebag Chicken Buns
Equipment
- Small bowl
- Chopping board
- Chopping knife
- Cutting knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Large spoon
- Slotted spoon
- Wok or large frying pan
- Frying pan
- Kitchen paper
- Wooden spoon
- Serving plate
Ingredients
- 1 ltr vegetable oil for frying
- 2 tsp chilli flakes
- 3 garlic
- 1 red chilli
- 6 spring onion
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- sea salt
- ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1-2 tbsp Shaoxing / rice wine
- 4 brioche buns
- 1 baby gem lettuce shredded
For the spice mix
- 1 tbsp Chinese five spice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1/8 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 4-5 tsp water
For the mayo
- 4-5 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sriracha
Instructions
- Mix together all the ingredients for the spice mix and set aside.
- Chop the garlic, spring onions and garlic finely.
- Cut the chicken into strips.
- In a bowl, combine the chicken with 1 tablespoon of the spice mix, along with the cornflour, plain flour, salt, white pepper and sesame oil.Add 4–5 tablespoons of water to loosen the mix and coat the chicken all over.
- Fry the chicken in the vegetable oil at 180°C/350°F in batches for 6–8 minutes, or until crisp and golden.Drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper.
- Place a large frying pan (skillet) over a high heat; once smoking, add 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil.When the oil is hot, add the red chilli, garlic, spring onions and chilli flakes, then stir-fry for 3–5 minutes until the chilli and spring onion are tender and translucent.
- Add the cooked chicken, then pour in the Shaoxing / rice wine.Add the remaining spice mix and stir-fry until the chicken is warmed through.
- Meanwhile, lightly toast the brioche buns and mix the mayonnaise with the sriracha.
- Spread the mayo over the base of the buns, top with shredded lettuce, then the chicken and top with the bun lids.
Notes
Outside Ireland, most people won’t have a clue what a spice bag is, but those in the know will be well aware that this Chinese-Irish takeaway staple is fast becoming a favourite. Crisp, fried chicken tossed in a sweet spice mixture with chips and fried onions and peppers, all served in a paper bag and devoured – hook it to my veins!
Nutrition
Calories: 980kcal
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