Hot Honey Chicken Bao Buns with Quick-Pickled Qukes™

Serves

4Hot Honey Chicken Bao Buns with Quick-Pickled Qukes™Serves 4

Prep Mins

2525 Mins 45 Mins 70 Mins

Total Mins

45

Ingredients

For the chicken:

  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken tenderloins, cut in half crosswise
  • 1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp. Kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ⅛ tsp. ground ginger
  • ½ cup corn starch
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • Neutral oil for deep frying

For the Quick-Pickled Qukes:

  • 1 cup Qukes™ Cucumbers, sliced into rounds
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • ½ tsp. sugar
  • ½ tsp. sesame oil

For the hot honey sauce:

  • ½ cup hot honey
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter

For serving:

  • Steamed Bao Buns (found frozen at most Asian markets)
  • Mayonnaise
  • Black sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Directions

  • To prepare the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the rice wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground ginger. Toss well with the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch and all-purpose flour. Dredge each piece of chicken into the flour-corn starch mixture. Heat 2” of oil in a Dutch oven to 350ºF. Add a few pieces of chicken at a time and cook until light golden brown, about 5-6 minutes.
  • Remove and set the chicken on a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate. Maintain a temperature of 350ºF before adding more chicken. Repeat the process until all of the chicken has been cooked.
  • To prepare the Quick-Pickled Qukes: In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Add the Qukes™ and scallions and toss to combine. Let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving.
  • To prepare the hot honey sauce: Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add hot honey and butter and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, and simmer until it thickens slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the heat off and set aside.
  • Add the fried chicken pieces to a large bowl then top with the hot honey sauce. Toss until the pieces are evenly coated.
  • To assemble the bao buns: Steam bao buns according to package directions. Spread mayonnaise inside the bun and add a piece of hot honey chicken.
  • Top with a spoonful of the Quick-Pickled Qukes™, garnish with black sesame seeds  and serve.

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