1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
1 1/2 cups peanut oil
2 1/4 pounds chicken breasts
9 tablespoons peanut butter
3 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons white vinegar
3 teaspoons MSG
4 teaspoons cayenne (or less, to taste)
4 1/2 teaspoons ginger, minced
5 teaspoons scallions, chopped
5 teaspoons garlic, minced
2 to 4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
Fry the Sichuan peppercorns in the oil for 15 minutes. Discard the peppercorns, and reserve 4 1/2 tablespoons of oil for this recipe. (Save remainder for another purpose.)
Skin and bone the chicken, then plunge it into boiling water and simmer till just barely cooked through, about 5 minutes. Cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips 3 inches long.
Combine the peanut butter and sesame oil till smooth. Stir in all the remaining ingredients except the cilantro.
Add 2 teaspoons of the red pepper flakes and then taste, adding up to 2 more according to your tolerance. Then add as much of your newly made Sichuan oil as necessary to make a sauce that isn't overly oily.
Arrange the chicken on a platter, spoon the sauce over it and sprinkle the cilantro on top. Serve at room temperature.