How to Grind Chicken at Home: Easy DIY Tutorial
We'll show you how to skillfully grind chicken using a traditional cleaver, resulting in a personalized blend of flavorful minced chicken perfect for a variety of recipes. Follow along as we provide helpful tips and tricks, ensuring a smooth and efficient grinding process. There are many uses for ground chicken, including making Spicy Thai Basil Chicken!
Using a cleaver to grind chicken is a great alternative when you don't have access to a meat grinder or food processor. The cleaver's large, broad blade can help break down the chicken effectively. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to ground chicken with a cleaver:
Begin with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or any chicken meat of your choice. Ensure that the chicken is fully thawed if previously frozen.
Place one piece of chicken onto a sturdy cutting board. Hold the cleaver with a firm grip, ensuring that your hand is positioned securely on the handle and your fingers are curled away from the blade.
Use the flat side of the cleaver's blade to pound and tenderize the chicken until it begins to break down and become flattened. Starting from the thicker parts, repeatedly strike the chicken with the flat side of the cleaver, using a downward motion.
Once the chicken has been partially tenderized, slice into smaller, manageable pieces - into strips or chunks that are approximately 1-2 inches in size. This will make it easier to work with.
Use the sharp side of the cleaver to finely mince the chicken. Hold the cleaver at a slight angle and use a rocking motion to chop the chicken repeatedly. Continue chopping until the chicken is broken down into small, ground-like pieces.
Transfer the minced chicken to a separate bowl or plate and repeat the process with the remaining chicken pieces.
Once you have minced all the chicken pieces, gather them together and use the cleaver to chop and further break down the chicken. Apply more pressure and continue the rocking motion to achieve a more consistent texture.
Run the cleaver through the minced chicken in a cross-chop motion to break down any larger pieces and create a finer ground texture.
Once the chicken is adequately ground, it is ready to be used in your desired recipe!
Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai Recipe)
Notes
Work in small batches for easier handling of the cleaver throughout the process.
Always exercise caution while using a cleaver and ensure that your fingers are protected and away from the blade.
Work on a stable cutting surface and maintain a secure grip on the cleaver to avoid accidents.
The final texture may not be as uniform or fine as commercially ground chicken, but it should still work well in most dishes calling for ground chicken.
From juicy chicken patties to savory dumplings, this versatile ingredient will elevate your homemade dishes to a whole new level!