Almond Boneless Chicken Michigan Style Food

CHINESE ALMOND CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts between two sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat tenderizer, pound breasts to approximately 1/2 inch uniform thickness. Pieces may be very large, in this case, cut in half.
• Place in a baking dish large enough for them to fit in a single layer. Season to taste with salt and pepper and cover with cooking sherry. Set aside until ready to cook, a minimum of 30 minutes.
• In bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons cornstarch with 4 tablespoons water until smooth.
• In a heavy bottom sauce pan, heat chicken broth, shiitake mushrooms, dark soy sauce, unsalted butter and cornstarch mixture over low heat. Whisk until smooth. Sauce should start to thicken and mushrooms will cook down. Do not bring to a boil, whisk every 2-3 minutes while making the chicken. When it reaches a gravy consistency, remove from heat or place on a "warm" setting.
• In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk 6 tablespoons flour, baking powder and eggs. This mixture will be very thick. If it is so think you won't be able to dredge chicken through it, add a small amount of milk or water, but make sure it isn't too watery, you want it to stick to the chicken.
• In a shallow dish or bowl place the remaining 6 tablespoons all purpose flour and lightly season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat.
• Lightly coat each chicken breast in flour and then dredge in egg batter. Carefully lower into hot oil. Depending on size, chicken will take from 5-7 minutes per side. Remove to a baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm. Continue with remaining chicken breasts. The cooking time can vary considerably depending on the heat of the oil and size of the chicken. Chicken needs to be an internal temperture of 165 degrees. If the outside is cooking faster than the inside, remove and place into the oven to continue cooking.
• For plating, create a bed of iceberg lettuce, top with a piece of chicken, mushroom gravy, scallions and Chinese rice noodles.
• If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!

WARR-SHU-GAI ALMOND BONELESS CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare sauce: In a small saucepan, stir together cornstarch and water until smooth.
• Gradually stir in chicken broth, mushrooms (if desired), butter, soy sauce and bouillon granules.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Let boil 1 minute. Keep warm.
• Prepare batter: Beat together cornstarch, flour, baking powder, egg and water until smooth.
• Coat each piece of chicken with batter.
• Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet or wok to the depth of 1/2 inch; heat to 375 degrees.
• Cook coated chicken pieces in oil, turning once, until golden -- 5 to 7 minutes.
• Drain on pa per towels.
• Cut chicken diagonally into strips.
• Reassemble strips in chicken breast shapes and place on a bed of shredded lettuce. Sprinkle with almonds and green onion.
• Spoon sauce over chicken and serve immediately.
• Makes four to six servings.
• It's been some time since I last made this, but I recall that the batter seemed not quite the same, but the rest is authentic. This can also be made with duck, in which case it becomes Warr Shu Opp.

ALMOND BONELESS CHICKEN (WOR SU GAI)

Steps:

• 1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and sherry and marinate for 15 minutes. While chicken is marinating, prepare the sauce. Mix together the cornstarch and water in a small saucepan until smooth. Gradually mix in the chicken broth, mushrooms,soy sauce, butter and boullion granules. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Let boil for 1 minute, and keep warm. To prepare batter: Beat together the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, egg and water until smooth. Coat each piece of chicken with the batter. Heat large skillet or wok and add oil to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat to 375 degrees. Cook coated chicken pieces in oil until they are golden brown, turning once. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Drain the chicken on a tempura rack if you have one or on a paper towel. Cut the fried chicken in diagonal strips. Reassemble the strips into a chicken breast shape and place on a bed of shredded lettuce. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and green onions. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve.