White-Cut Chicken

Serves: 5

Keyon Hand

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

45

Spice

44

Sweetness

51

Sourness

45

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.9

Difficulty

Ingredients:

60 g

Smithfield

14 cups

Water

1 tsp

Salt

3 tbsps

Peanut

Directions:

1

Make chicken: Rinse chicken inside and out, then bend legs to tuck feet (if still attached) inside cavity

2

Stuff cavity with scallions, ham, and ginger

3

Bring water with salt to a boil in a deep 7- to 8-quart stockpot or pasta pot

4

Add chicken, breast side down (chicken may not be completely covered with liquid), then reduce heat and simmer, covered, 20 minutes

5

Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 30 minutes

6

Turn chicken over and let stand, covered, 15 minutes more (chicken will be cooked through)

7

While chicken stands, fill a large bowl three-fourths full with ice and cold water

8

Carefully remove chicken from pot with a large slotted spoon and plunge into ice water to stop cooking

9

Let stand, gently turning over once (be careful not to tear skin), until cool, about 10 minutes total

10

Carefully transfer to a cutting board and discard scallions, ham, and ginger from cavity

11

Pat dry

12

Rub skin with sesame oil

13

Rinse chicken inside and out, then bend legs to tuck feet (if still attached) inside cavity

14

Stuff cavity with scallions, ham, and ginger

15

Bring water with salt to a boil in a deep 7- to 8-quart stockpot or pasta pot

16

Add chicken, breast side down (chicken may not be completely covered with liquid), then reduce heat and simmer, covered, 20 minutes

17

Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 30 minutes

18

Turn chicken over and let stand, covered, 15 minutes more (chicken will be cooked through)

19

While chicken stands, fill a large bowl three-fourths full with ice and cold water

20

Carefully remove chicken from pot with a large slotted spoon and plunge into ice water to stop cooking

21

Let stand, gently turning over once (be careful not to tear skin), until cool, about 10 minutes total

22

Carefully transfer to a cutting board and discard scallions, ham, and ginger from cavity

23

Pat dry

24

Rub skin with sesame oil

25

Make dipping sauce: Stir together scallions and soy sauce in a small heatproof bowl

26

Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water vaporizes instantly

27

Pour oil around side of wok, then tilt wok to swirl oil, coating sides

28

When oil just begins to smoke, carefully add ginger (oil will spatter) and stir-fry 30 seconds

29

Immediately remove from heat and pour over scallion mixture, stirring to combine (scallions will wilt)

30

To cut and serve chicken on a platter (Chinese restaurant–style), cut off the head and neck (if attached) with a cleaver and put at one end of a large platter

31

(These parts, along with the back and feet, aren't always eaten

32

) Cut off the feet

33

Cut off the drumsticks and thighs, then cut crosswise through the boneinto 1-inch pieces

34

Place the feet and leg meat at the other end of the platter

35

Cut off the wings, separating them at the joints, and put on the sides of the platter

36

Cut through the ribs, separating breast from back, then cut the backbone crosswise into 3 pieces and put them in the center of the platter

37

(Striking the cleaver with a rubber mallet makes the cuts clean

38

) Cut the breast crosswise through the bone into 1-inch pieces and arrange on the back

39

Alternatively, cut chicken according to procedure and mound pieces in a bowl

40

Stir together scallions and soy sauce in a small heatproof bowl

41

Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water vaporizes instantly

42

Pour oil around side of wok, then tilt wok to swirl oil, coating sides

43

When oil just begins to smoke, carefully add ginger (oil will spatter) and stir-fry 30 seconds

44

Immediately remove from heat and pour over scallion mixture, stirring to combine (scallions will wilt)

45

To cut and serve chicken on a platter (Chinese restaurant–style), cut off the head and neck (if attached) with a cleaver and put at one end of a large platter

46

(These parts, along with the back and feet, aren't always eaten

47

) Cut off the feet

48

Cut off the drumsticks and thighs, then cut crosswise through the boneinto 1-inch pieces

49

Place the feet and leg meat at the other end of the platter

50

Cut off the wings, separating them at the joints, and put on the sides of the platter

51

Cut through the ribs, separating breast from back, then cut the backbone crosswise into 3 pieces and put them in the center of the platter

52

(Striking the cleaver with a rubber mallet makes the cuts clean

53

) Cut the breast crosswise through the bone into 1-inch pieces and arrange on the back

54

Alternatively, cut chicken according to procedure and mound pieces in a bowl

55

Drizzle 2 tablespoons dipping sauce over chicken and sprinkle with cilantro leaves

56

Serve warm or at room temperature, with remaining dipping sauce on the side

57

Drizzle 2 tablespoons dipping sauce over chicken and sprinkle with cilantro leaves

58

Serve warm or at room temperature, with remaining dipping sauce on the side