Chinese Braised Chicken Recipe（Huang Men Ji）
If you're looking for a chicken dish that pairs perfectly with rice, you can't miss Huang Men Ji from China. Huang Men Ji, also known as Chinese Braised Chicken, is a beloved dish in China. It's also popular in Chinese or Asian restaurants outside of China.
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The preparation of Huang Men Ji is relatively simple compared to other Chinese dishes. It doesn't involve complex cooking techniques or numerous ingredients and spices. However, if you want to make Huang Men Ji taste great with rice, you need to understand and pay attention to the following points:
1. About Huang Men Ji
Huang Men Ji, also known as fragrant chicken pot or braised chicken rice, originated from the famous restaurant "Ji Ling Yuan" in Jinan. It is one of the traditional specialty dishes of Jinan, Shandong. In 1927, "Ji Ling Yuan," a renowned restaurant in Jinan known for its gathering of master chefs and exquisite dishes, became immensely popular. It attracted wealthy merchants and high-ranking officials, and was considered one of the three major restaurants in the provincial capital, along with "Hui Quan Lou" and "Ju Feng De." Its signature dish, "Herbal Huang Men Ji," was particularly favored by Han Fuju, the then-chairman of Shandong Province.
The main ingredient of Huang Men Ji is chicken thigh meat, braised with green peppers, potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and other ingredients. The dish is known for its delicious and tender meat.
2. What Chicken to Choose?
Huang Men Ji is a delicious dish many have enjoyed, and most know that chicken is the main ingredient. However, not many are aware that the best chicken to use for Huang Men Ji is "San Huang Chicken." San Huang Chicken is a breed belonging to the pheasant family, characterized by a compact body, balanced proportions, straight back, tightly attached wings, and a high-arching tail that resembles an "ingot." Its head is moderately sized, and it offers a particularly good texture and taste.
To make the most authentic Huang Men Ji, you should look for San Huang Chicken at your local Asian supermarket or Chinese store, as they typically carry it. If San Huang Chicken is not available, regular chicken can be used as a substitute.
3. The Three Delights of Huang Men Ji
Huang Men Ji is known for its three delights:
1. Soup: The soup is bright red, with a rich and thick texture that is flavorful yet not greasy. It has a lasting, unforgettable taste.
2. Meat: The finished dish is visually appealing, with tender and succulent meat.
3. Rice: The rice is fragrant, aromatic, and has a firm, chewy texture.
4. How to Make Huang Men Ji Chicken Tender?
The key to delicious Huang Men Ji is the tender texture of the chicken. To achieve tender chicken, you need to pay attention to the following points:
1. Choose fresh chicken: Remove any excess fat and skin to ensure the chicken is smooth and tender.
2. Cut the chicken: Slice the chicken into thin pieces or small chunks, which allows it to cook more quickly and evenly.
3. Marinate the chicken: Add an appropriate amount of salt, pepper, cornstarch, and oil to the chicken. Mix well and let it marinate for a while. This not only enhances the flavor but also helps retain the chicken's moisture, making it more tender.
4. Cooking the chicken: When stir-frying, start with medium heat to bring it to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer until the chicken is fully cooked. This method helps maintain the tender texture of the chicken.
5. Do You Need to Caramelize Sugar for Huang Men Ji?
Caramelizing sugar for Huang Men Ji is recommended because it adds color and enhances the flavor of the chicken. Many Chinese dishes, such as braised pork belly, braised fish, and braised ribs, require caramelizing sugar for this reason.
However, my method doesn't require caramelizing sugar. This technique can be tricky, and I know many people struggle with it. By skipping this step, my recipe becomes easier for everyone to follow, and the dish still tastes fantastic.
Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of Huang Men Ji, let's make this delicious dish together!
INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 250g Three Yellow Chicken
ACCESSORIES
- 1 carrot
- 2 green peppers
- 4 cloves garlic
- 5 slices ginger
SEASONINGS
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 3 tbsp cooking wine
- Some five-spice powder
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- Some ground pepper
- Some cooking oil
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Prepare all ingredients. Wash and dice the carrots and green peppers.
STEP 2
Prepare the Sanhuang chicken: soak the chicken pieces in cold water for about 10 minutes to remove any blood.
STEP 3
After 10 minutes, drain the water. Rinse the chicken pieces thoroughly and drain excess water. Add a suitable amount of light soy sauce.
STEP 4
Add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce.
STEP 5
Next, add 3 tablespoons of cooking wine, and a suitable amount of pepper and five-spice powder. Mix well and marinate for 20 minutes.
STEP 6
After 20 minutes, heat oil in a pan.
STEP 7
Place the marinated chicken pieces into the pot.
STEP 8
Fry until both sides are golden brown.
STEP 9
Add 5 slices of ginger and 4 cloves of garlic, stir-fry until fragrant.
STEP 10
Next, add the carrot pieces and pour in the marinade from the chicken pieces. Continue stir-frying.
Tip:
The chicken juice refers to the marinade used for the chicken pieces. Remember not to discard it.
STEP 11
Stir-fry until fragrant, then pour in enough boiling water to completely submerge the chicken pieces.
STEP 12
Once the broth boils, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes.
STEP 13
After simmering, add the green peppers and stir-fry until they are cooked through.
STEP 14
Delicious homemade Huang Men Ji is ready to serve.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Chinese Braised Chicken Recipe（Huang Men Ji）
- Main Ingredients:5
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:424 g
-
Energy (calories)：365 kcal
-
Protein：54.16 g
-
Fat：7.22 g
Why gray?
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Carbohydrates：20.28 g
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Protein: 62%226 kcal
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Fat: 18%65 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 21%76 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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