Crispy Chicken Breast Yurinki
Make Your Christmas Home Party Extra Special! Crispy Outside, Tender Inside Chicken Breast Yurinki Recipe
Experience the allure of Chinese cuisine at home! Yurinki, meaning ‘oil-splashed chicken’, features crispy fried chicken served over crunchy vegetables like lettuce and onions, drizzled with a savory soy sauce dressing. It’s akin to a ‘Chinese-style Cajun salad,’ offering a unique and delightful flavor profile. The perfect harmony of a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior makes it an ideal dish for special home parties. Slicing the chicken breast thinly before frying, rather than cooking it whole, ensures it becomes incredibly tender and cooks perfectly. Enjoy this exquisite Chinese fusion dish right in your own kitchen!
Main Ingredients- 4 chicken breasts
- 3-4 large lettuce leaves
- Frying powder (tempura flour)
- 2 eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- 4 pinches of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 4 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
Yurinki Sauce- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 5 Tbsp vinegar
- 5 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 medium onion (finely minced)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 5 Tbsp vinegar
- 5 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 medium onion (finely minced)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The first crucial step is preparing the chicken breast. Frying it whole can make it difficult to cook through due to its thickness. Instead, thinly slice the chicken breast horizontally, like filleting a fish. This thinner cut ensures it fries faster and cooks more evenly.
Step 2
Lightly season the sliced chicken breasts with a pinch of salt each and a sprinkle of black pepper to remove any gamey odor. Then, pour 1 tablespoon of cooking wine over each piece of chicken. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This resting period will tenderize the chicken and enhance its flavor.
Step 3
Wash the lettuce leaves thoroughly under cold water and pat them dry. Tear or cut them into bite-sized pieces. While napa cabbage can be substituted, I personally find lettuce adds a superior crispiness and fresher flavor! Feel free to choose based on your preference.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the Yurinki sauce. Finely mince half a medium onion. Add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, 5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 5 tablespoons of vinegar, and 5 tablespoons of sugar to a bowl. Whisk everything together until the sugar is completely dissolved. Taste and adjust the sugar or vinegar levels to your liking.
Step 5
After the chicken has marinated, lightly pat it dry to remove excess moisture. First, coat the chicken evenly with frying powder. Next, dip it generously into a beaten egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, press breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken to create a nice, crunchy crust.
Step 6
Heat your frying oil to about 170-180°C (340-355°F). Carefully add the breaded chicken pieces to the hot oil. Because the chicken is sliced thinly, it will turn a beautiful golden brown relatively quickly. Fry both sides until golden and crispy, turning occasionally. Remember, thinly sliced chicken cooks much more evenly than a whole piece, preventing it from being undercooked inside.
Step 7
Once the chicken is golden and cooked through, remove it from the oil and place it on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. Let the fried chicken cool slightly, then cut it into bite-sized pieces. This prevents the crispy coating from breaking apart when you slice it.
Step 8
All components are now ready! Arrange the prepared crisp lettuce leaves attractively on a serving plate. Place the sliced fried chicken pieces on top of the lettuce. Finally, generously drizzle the prepared sweet and tangy soy sauce dressing over the chicken and lettuce. Your delicious Chicken Breast Yurinki is complete! Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect contrast of crispy exterior and tender interior.
