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Bon Appétit

Silver-Wrapped Chicken

4.6

(33)

The intense flavors come from the marinade, which caramelizes on the chicken as it is deep-fried in foil packets. Jee bow gai, the name of the dish in China, is a house specialty at Yank Sing in San Francisco. Have your butcher split the thighs in half for you.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 Appetizer Servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
5 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 cup Chinese bean sauce available at Asian markets and some supermarkets
1/4 cup minced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce available at Asian markets and some supermarkets
2 tablespoons dry Sherry
2 tablespoons oriental sesame oil
4 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
12 chicken thighs, each split crosswise into 2 pieces
24 9-inch foil squares
Vegetable oil (for deep-frying)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine first 12 ingredients in large bowl and stir to blend. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight, stirring occasionally.

    Step 2

    Place 1 foil square on work surface with 1 corner pointing toward the edge. Place 1 chicken piece in center of foil. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon marinade. Fold bottom corner over chicken. Fold sides in. Lift section of foil containing chicken and fold upward, leaving top corner of foil exposed. Fold top corner into flap. Repeat with remaining chicken and foil. Discard remaining marinade.

    Step 3

    Pour oil into heavy large Dutch oven to depth of 6 inches. Heat to 350°F. Working in batches, carefully add chicken packages (oil will bubble vigorously) and fry until chicken is cooked through, about 8 minutes per batch. Using tongs transfer packages to paper towels and drain.

    Step 4

    Arrange packages on platter. Serve warm.

TagsChineseEast AsianAsianChicken ThighChickenPoultryCilantroHerbs & SpicesGingerMainDinnerDairy FreeFryDutch OvenBon Appétit
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