Three-Spice Hand Shredded Chicken

Hand-shredded chicken is something many people are familiar with, but this version offers a unique twist. BigBoy uses three different spices to create this distinctive hand-shredded chicken, and with the addition of apples, the flavour becomes both refreshing and unique.

Unique “Three Spices” Ingredients

The “Three Spices” in this dish refers to three unique and harmonious seasonings: lemongrass, sesame oil, and five-spice powder. Lemongrass imparts a fresh herbal aroma, sesame oil provides a rich sesame flavour, and five-spice powder adds a complex spice profile. These three seasonings blend together to create a unique and harmonious flavour, giving each bite of the hand-shredded chicken a layered and rich aroma.

Steaming Instead of Boiling

This version of hand-shredded chicken opts for steaming rather than traditional boiling. Steaming better locks in the chicken’s aroma and essence, making the meat more tender and juicy. During the steaming process, the spices inside the chicken are fully absorbed, and none of the flavour is lost. Additionally, apple slices are mixed into the hand-shredded chicken, adding a crisp texture and a refreshing, sweet taste. This dish not only features tender and flavourful chicken but also a hint of fruity aroma, offering a refreshing culinary experience.

Usage of Chicken Juices and Stuffing

Additionally, don't forget to make use of the chicken juices and the stuffing left in the chicken cavity after steaming. These juices are perfect for stir-frying vegetables, adding a rich and savoury aroma to your dishes. The lemongrass, shallots, and ginger that were inside the chicken can be saved and used to cook rice, imparting a delightful fragrance to the rice and making it even more appetising.

Ingredients

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Basic Ingredients

Whole Chicken	1 each (around 1 KG)
Apple	1 each
Lemongrass	2 sticks
Garlic	5 cloves
Shallot	4 each
Ginger	1 pc
Spring Onion	2 sprigs
Salt	2 tsp
Sesame Oil	drizzles

Seasoning

Five-spice powder	1 tsp
Sesame Oil	2 tbsp
Ground White Pepper	1 tsp
Salt	½ tsp
Sesame Seeds	1 tbsp

Steps

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1. Empty the cavity of the chicken and rinse it thoroughly. Then, rub 2 teaspoons of salt evenly over the inside and outside of the chicken.

2. Smash and peel the garlic. Peel the shallots. Clean and cut the spring onion into sections. Smash and cut the lemongrass into sections. Peel, smash, and slice the ginger. Slice and cut the apples into strips, then soak in salted water for 1 minute before draining and setting aside.

3. Stuff the chicken cavity with garlic, shallot, spring onion, lemongrass, and ginger, then use a toothpick to secure the opening and marinate for 1 hour to let the flavours infuse.

4. Prepare a pot of boiling water, place the marinated chicken on a plate with a steamer rack, brush the surface with sesame oil, and steam for 20 minutes once the water is boiling. (or 25 minutes at 100°C in an electric steamer)

5. Once the chicken is steamed and slightly cooled, remove the skin and shred the meat into thin strips.

6. Friendly tip: The chicken juice from steaming can be saved for stir-frying, and the stuffing from inside the chicken can be added to rice for cooking, giving the rice a fragrant aroma!

7. Mix the hand-shredded chicken with apple, 1 tsp of five-spice powder, 2 tbsp of sesame oil, 1 tsp of pepper, ½ tsp of salt, and 1 tbsp of sesame seeds, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours or enjoy immediately!