Crispy Yu Ling Ji (Chinese Fried Chicken Salad)
Turn Leftover Fried Chicken into Delicious Yu Ling Ji – A Chinese Dish Perfect as a Snack or Appetizer with Lettuce Salad and Special Sauce
I made a refreshingly delicious Yu Ling Ji using leftover delivery fried chicken. It’s incredibly simple to make, yet the taste is absolutely wonderful! I highly recommend it.
Main Ingredients- Leftover fried chicken 250g (boneless meat)
- Lettuce 150g
- Bell peppers, as needed
- Bean sprouts, as needed
- A little cooking oil
Sauce Ingredients- Dark soy sauce 0.5 Tbsp
- Tsuyu (Japanese dipping sauce) 1.5 Tbsp
- Plum extract (Maesil cheong) 3 Tbsp
- Lemon juice 2 Tbsp
- Minced onion 4 Tbsp
- Finely chopped green chili pepper 1 Tbsp
- Finely chopped red chili pepper 1 Tbsp
- Dark soy sauce 0.5 Tbsp
- Tsuyu (Japanese dipping sauce) 1.5 Tbsp
- Plum extract (Maesil cheong) 3 Tbsp
- Lemon juice 2 Tbsp
- Minced onion 4 Tbsp
- Finely chopped green chili pepper 1 Tbsp
- Finely chopped red chili pepper 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Here are the leftover delivery fried chicken pieces we’ll be using.
Step 2
Prepare the chicken by removing the bones and separating the meat. Ensure you have just the tender chicken breast or thigh meat, cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
Step 3
Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the deboned chicken meat and pan-fry both sides until golden brown and slightly crispy. There’s no need to add oil, as the chicken’s own fat will render out and help it cook. This step not only makes the chicken wonderfully crispy but also helps to eliminate any potential gamey flavors.
Step 4
Prepare the aromatics for the sauce. Finely mince the onion. For the chili peppers, remove the stems and finely chop them. If you prefer less heat, you can remove the seeds from the chili peppers before chopping.
Step 5
Prepare the fresh vegetables. Thinly slice the bell peppers into strips, using a variety of colors if available for visual appeal. Gently rinse the bean sprouts under cold running water and drain them well.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the delightful Yu Ling Ji sauce. In a small bowl, combine the dark soy sauce, tsuyu, plum extract, and lemon juice. Whisk everything together until well blended. The lemon juice provides a wonderful zesty freshness.
Step 7
Add the minced onion, chopped green chili pepper, and chopped red chili pepper to the sauce mixture. Stir well. For the best flavor, let the sauce sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This allows the onion to infuse its sweetness and flavor into the sauce, making it even more delicious.
Step 8
Prepare the fresh lettuce. Gently separate the lettuce leaves and wash them thoroughly under cold running water, ensuring you rinse both sides. Pay attention to any dirt or debris that might be trapped between the leaves.
Step 9
After washing, place the lettuce leaves in a colander to drain off excess water. It’s crucial to remove as much moisture as possible; you can even gently pat them dry with paper towels. Excess water can dilute the sauce and affect the final taste.
Step 10
Time to assemble the dish! Arrange the drained lettuce leaves on a serving plate, tearing them into bite-sized pieces to create a generous bed. Artfully scatter the sliced bell peppers over the lettuce.
Step 11
Finally, arrange the crispy fried chicken pieces on top of the lettuce and bell peppers. Place the fresh bean sprouts in the center for a touch of green. Drizzle the prepared Yu Ling Ji sauce evenly over everything. The combination of the crunchy lettuce, savory chicken, and the bright, tangy sauce is absolutely delightful. It’s a fantastic dish that pairs wonderfully with a cold drink, making it an ideal choice for an appetizer or a satisfying snack.
