Crispy fried chicken bowl with spring onion & ginger oil recipe | Good Food

A serving of crispy fried chicken bowl with spring onion & ginger oil

100g spring onions
very finely sliced
20g ginger
finely chopped
1 tbsp Szechuan peppercorns
crushed in a pestle and mortar
2 garlic cloves
finely chopped
½ tsp MSG
(optional)
½ tsp caster sugar
125ml vegetable oil
plus 4 tbsp
2 chicken breasts
sliced through the middle, then pounded flat
6 tbsp plain flour
3 tbsp cornflour
1 tsp shichimi togarashi
Japanese spice blend (optional)
sticky rice and green veg or smacked cucumbers, to serve

Method

step 1
Start by making the spring onion oil. Put the spring onions, ginger, Szechuan peppercorns, garlic, MSG (if using), caster sugar and a good pinch of salt in a heatproof bowl. Pour the vegetable oil into a small saucepan over a medium heat, ensuring that the pan is no more than a third full.
step 2
Once the oil is shimmering hot, quickly pour it onto the spring onion mixture. It will sizzle so do this carefully. Stir to combine and set aside. Will keep chilled in an airtight container for five days – the flavour will improve over time.
step 3
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Tip 5 tbsp of the flour and all the cornflour into a shallow bowl with the shichimi togarashi, if using, and a pinch of salt. Whisk in 7-8 tbsp of water to make a thick batter. Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining flour, then use tongs to dip the chicken in the batter.
step 4
Meanwhile, heat 4 tbsp vegetable oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Gently lower in the chicken and fry on each side for 6-7 mins until very golden and crisp. Drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper and sprinkle with a little more shichimi togarashi, if you like.
step 5
To serve, arrange the bowl with the fried chicken, some rice, greens or smacked cucumbers, and a drizzle of the spring onion oil.