Junlian Spicy and Numb Chicken

Junlian Spicy and Numb Chicken

　　Junlian Spicy and Numb Chicken has a history of over 400 years. It features an ingenious cooking technique paired with a secret family recipe of seasonings, resulting in a spicy, numbing, refreshing flavor with a truly unique taste. The best choice for making Junlian Spicy and Numb Chicken is a black-boned chicken weighing around three pounds. After slaughtering and plucking, only a small incision is made in the belly, and the internal organs are carefully removed. When the water in the iron pot begins to show tiny bubbles like fish eyes, the chicken is placed in the pot, covered, and turned every two or three minutes. To prevent the water from boiling vigorously, apart from using low heat, cold water is also periodically poured in. In short, the chicken is kept at a gentle simmering temperature throughout. After about ten minutes, the heat is turned off, and the chicken is left to steam for one to two minutes before being taken out and immediately immersed in cold boiled water for around five minutes. Once it reaches a warm temperature, it is cut into pieces. This method of cooking results in chicken that is tender, soft, and melts in the mouth—extremely delicate and “tenderly smooth” to eat.

　　The quality of the chicken is important, but the dipping sauce is even more refined. In addition to mashed garlic, old ginger juice, chili oil, and ground Sichuan peppercorn, it also includes sesame powder, finely chopped fried peanuts, sesame oil, chopped scallions, sugar, and more—all blended with high-quality soybean oil. Just the aroma of the dipping sauce is enough to make your mouth water. When the chicken is combined with the dipping sauce and mixed together before eating, you’ll immediately realize that the flavor is simply unbeatable.

　　There are several long-established shops selling Spicy and Numb Chicken in Junlian, such as Bai Laoyao, Lei Qidian, and Wu Shuimao. Junlian Spicy and Numb Chicken has become a must-have delicacy in restaurants and when hosting friends.