Chicken stewed with mushrooms（小鸡炖蘑菇）

Chicken stewed with mushrooms is a highly authentic Chinese dish, primarily made by simmering chicken and mushrooms together. It boasts rich flavors, with the broth absorbing the essence of both the chicken and dried shiitake mushrooms, resulting in a deliciously savory taste. Paired with rice, it's truly delightful. Today, I'll share the authentic recipe for this dish.

Mushrooms are the highlight of the chicken stewed with mushrooms dish, adding rich umami flavor to the chicken and enhancing its tender texture. Many people attempt to make this dish, but achieving the perfect texture can be challenging. Below, I'll share some tips and insights based on my experience making this recipe.

1. What is Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms?

Chicken stewed with mushrooms originates from northern China and is a braised dish made primarily with chicken and dried mushrooms. The chicken is tender and the mushrooms add a rich flavor, making it an essential delicacy on dining tables across China. Today, Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms enjoys widespread popularity and acclaim worldwide.

2. What Chicken Should You Choose?

I know many people have their preferences when it comes to chicken cuts, but for perfecting this dish, it's best to choose free-range young chickens or older hens. These types of chicken have tender and firm meat, providing a better texture when eaten.

Of course, if you can't find free-range young chickens or older hens, you can substitute with chicken thighs or wings. However, it's recommended to use a whole chicken if possible, which can usually be found in Chinese markets.

3. What Type of Mushrooms Should You Choose?

Mushrooms are an essential ingredient in making Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms, and the most commonly used variety is dried shiitake mushrooms. Dried shiitake mushrooms are processed from fresh shiitake mushrooms through drying and other techniques, enhancing their absorption capacity. When stewed with chicken, they absorb the chicken broth well. Additionally, dried shiitake mushrooms are rich in nutrients and have a delicious, tender texture, making them an excellent companion to chicken.

4. How Long Should Dried Shiitake Mushrooms Soak?

The soaking time for dried shiitake mushrooms depends on their size, thickness, and soaking method:

In most cases, dried shiitake mushrooms need to soak for 1-2 hours to absorb enough water and become soft.

If using hot water to soak dried shiitake mushrooms, they can be ready in about 30 minutes, but it's not recommended as hot water can diminish the mushrooms' nutritional value.

For larger dried shiitake mushrooms, the soaking time will need to be extended accordingly, typically by about 30 minutes longer than for regular-sized mushrooms.

5. How Long Does Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms Need to Cook?

Chicken stewed with mushrooms is a soup dish, and the cooking time depends on the type of chicken and the heat intensity.

- Free-range chicken may require about 1-2 hours of stewing.

- A regular young chicken typically cooks through in about 60 minutes. To prevent the meat from drying out, check the chicken's doneness carefully after 30 minutes.

Regarding heat intensity, it's generally recommended to start with high heat to bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat for slow simmering. This ensures that the chicken retains its juices without drying out, while also enhancing the rich flavors.

6. What Ingredients Can You Add to Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms?

When making chicken stewed with mushrooms, there are typically two types of ingredients to consider:

1. Additional Ingredients:

In northern China, besides chicken and mushrooms, people often add ingredients like vermicelli noodles, potatoes, or other vegetables according to their preferences, to stew together for consumption.

2. Seasonings:

To enhance the flavor of chicken stewed with mushrooms, people commonly use seasonings such as chili peppers, ginger, scallions, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and fine salt. These seasonings add a rich and aromatic taste, making it suitable for a wide range of preferences.

This is one of my specialties! If you're interested in this dish, let's make it together now!