Tea-smoked chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon 5-spice powder
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt
• 450 g of skinless and boneless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup white rice
• 3 tablespoons of Chinese black tea
• 2 tbsp. l. brown sugar
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine or semi-dry sherry
• 2 tbsp soy sauce, preferably dark (see Note)
• 1 tbsp. peeled and chopped fresh ginger
• 2 tsp. dark sesame oil
• 5 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• Half a head of iceberg lettuce
• Sriracha sauce or other Asian chili sauce, to taste
• Juice of half a lime

Preparation:

1. Toast the Sichuan peppercorns in a dry skillet until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Cool slightly, then grind in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle with the salt and five-spice powder until very finely ground. Rub the chicken thighs with the spices. Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or, preferably, overnight.
2. Bring the chicken to room temperature about 30 minutes before cooking.
3. Line the bottom of a wok, skillet, or heavy pot with a double layer of aluminum foil. Combine the rice, tea, and brown sugar and pour onto the foil. Place a steamer on top and distribute the chicken evenly on the rack. Cover and set over high heat. Smoke the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 12 minutes.
4. While the chicken is smoking, combine Shaoxing wine or sherry, soy sauce, ginger, and sesame seeds in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, remove from the heat, and let sit for 5 minutes. Brush the finished chicken with the sauce.
5. To serve, cut the chicken into very small pieces. Toss in a medium bowl with the green onions and peanuts. Cut the lettuce into 40 squares or triangles. Drizzle a little chili sauce into each salad bowl and top with about 2 teaspoons of diced chicken. Drizzle with lime juice and the remaining soy-ginger sauce. Serve.
   
   

   Note

   
   Dark soy sauce is thicker and slightly sweeter than other sauces. It adds a depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with chicken. It can be found in Asian stores or supermarkets with a good Asian food section.