Bang bang chicken facts for kids
Bang bang chicken (which is bàng bàng jī in Chinese) is a super popular chicken dish from China. You might also hear it called bam bam chicken or bon bon chicken. The fun name "bang bang chicken" comes from how the meat is prepared. Chefs actually use a stick or hammer to gently beat the chicken, making it extra tender and delicious!
The Story Behind Bang Bang Chicken
There's a cool legend about how Bang Bang Chicken came to be, dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. Long ago, in a quiet area called Ya'an, there was a very dedicated chef. He loved trying new things with food. He spent a lot of time learning and practicing how to mix different soups. Finally, he created an amazing recipe for chicken meat and broth that smelled wonderful.
Back then, chicken was a special treat, only served on holidays. So, someone had a clever idea: why not cut the whole chicken into thin slices and sell it piece by piece? This plan worked really well, and "chicken slices" became very famous.
But then, a new problem popped up. It was hard to cut a whole chicken into perfectly even slices with a regular kitchen knife. Customers wanted their slices to be just right! However, they soon found a solution: if you gently beat the chicken into pieces with a large stick, it solved the problem. Plus, beating the chicken helped the tasty broth soak into the meat, adding even more flavor. When the dish is made, one person holds a stick and another holds a knife. The sound of the stick and knife hitting each other makes a rhythmic, almost musical sound. That's how it got its unique name: bang bang chicken!
Images for kids
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Bon bon chicken without sauce, served with a salad
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Bang bang chicken with its special sauce
