There's something strange about that chicken
The literal English translation of this Sichuanese dish doesn't make it sound appetizing—excuse me, can I have a plate of strange taste chicken | 怪味鸡 please? No, thanks.
The dish gets its name from the unique and complex flavor combinations of the sauce—there is sweetness from the sugar, sour from the vinegar, a creamy nutty richness from the peanut butter, and lastly, the unmistakable numbing spice of the Sichuan peppercorn.
Don't let the name or the Sichuan peppercorns scare you, this is actually a White People crowd pleaser. I remember that my mama used to make it when we had company. She would expertly slice up the chicken, fan it out on a plate, and only when everyone was seated would she gently drown the sucker with peanuty sauce to oo's and ahh's. This dish will not only impress, it doesn't break the bank either.
Start by putting your chicken, a pinch of salt, and sliced ginger and onion in a dutch oven with water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 45 minutes.
While you wait, get everything else ready.
This peanut-buttery-looking goodness is not traditionally made out of peanut butter. When you have access to it, make it with Chinese sesame paste. This is not to be confused with tahini, which is often used in Middle Eastern cuisine. The last time I went to China, I brought back 3 jars of sesame paste wrapped in sweaters. I worried the entire flight whether I would get home to a suitcase full of broken glass shards and sesame-scented clothes. Luckily, my wardrobe was spared and my precious cargo remained intact. If you don't have sesame paste, creamy peanut butter will do just fine.
When the chicken is done, refrigerate it until cool. I like to save the stock to use for another day. Can't beat a nice, homemade batch of chicken broth.
Once the chicken cools down, you can cut it up into slices or pull apart into bite-size pieces. Arrange on a platter with a little sliced green onion and wait for the oo's and ahh's to come when White Boyfriend's people come over for dinner.
For the straight-up Strange taste chicken recipe, click here.