The seemingly ordinary ingredients actually hold a hidden secret, with sesame oil being the finishing touch. The combination of scallions, garlic, and sesame oil is truly amazing, creating a completely new flavor profile. It's a super quick and easy dish to make, perfect with rice. You definitely have to try making it this way with your chicken legs at home. I've also included the classic recipe for salt and scallion sauce. (Salt and scallion chicken legs and braised chicken legs with scallions are made completely different ways; I'll share the recipe for braised chicken with scallions later when I have time.)
Materials
Steps for making salt and scallion chicken drumsticks (salt and scallion chicken cutlets)
4 boneless chicken drumsticks (chicken breasts can also be used, but drumsticks will be more tender; if you are on a weight loss program, you can remove the skin; marinate the drumsticks for 10 minutes with 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of cooking wine, 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon of white sugar, and a pinch of white pepper; this is enough for 2 drumsticks per person). [Salt and Scallion Sauce Recipe] Prepare a generous amount of scallions (4 stalks, chopped). Mince 4 cloves of garlic and add 1/2 tablespoon of toasted white sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Mix well.
Pour a little oil into the pan, sprinkle with a little salt to prevent sticking, and fry the skin side first.
Fry until the surface is golden brown and slightly charred, then flip and fry the other side.
Once both sides have changed color, use kitchen scissors to cut the chicken thigh meat into pieces about one finger's width each. Thicker pieces are fine too. Pan-fry over low heat for 2 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. (Salt and scallion chicken thighs are braised without water; adding water is for braised chicken with scallions.)
Add salt and scallion sauce, drizzle in a little Guangdong rice wine, stir well, uncover and simmer for another minute.
It's done cooking, it smells so good, and the chicken is incredibly tender.
Tips for making salt and scallion chicken drumsticks (salt and scallion chicken cutlets)
Salt and scallion chicken drumsticks are braised without water; adding water is how you make braised chicken with scallions.
