1 (8 ounce) jar chili bean sauce (such as Toban Djan®)
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¼ cup vegetable oil
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4 cups vegetable oil
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2 tablespoons ground Sichuan peppercorns
Instructions
Place flour in a large bowl. Beat egg in a shallow dish. Coat a piece of chicken in flour, dip in egg, coat again in flour, and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken. Let coated chicken rest for 10 minutes.
Heat chili bean sauce and 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, whisking occasionally, for 8 minutes.
Heat 4 cups oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a large skillet. Fry chicken in batches: cook for 4 minutes, flip, and cook other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes more. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Dip chicken tenders in the chili bean sauce mixture, using tongs. Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle with ground Sichuan peppercorns. Serve immediately.