Huang Men Ji（Yellow Braised chicken）
Yellow Braised Chicken, also known as Chinese Braised Chicken Rice, is a classic dish that's extremely popular in China. The chicken is braised until tender and juicy, offering a delightful texture. This dish is loved worldwide, and many Chinese restaurants feature it on their menus. Today, we’ll be sharing a detailed recipe for making this delicious Yellow Braised Chicken at home.
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Although Yellow Braised Chicken may seem a bit complex, it's actually much simpler compared to many other Chinese dishes that involve intricate cooking techniques or a variety of ingredients and spices. Even if you’re new to the kitchen, you can easily make this dish. Yellow Braised Chicken doesn’t require complicated ingredients or equipment. We’ll provide detailed instructions and tips to ensure you can successfully prepare this dish.
1.What is Yellow Braised Chicken?
Yellow Braised Chicken is a renowned Chinese dish that originated in Jinan, Shandong, and belongs to the Shandong cuisine (Lu cuisine) category. This dish typically uses chicken thighs, paired with ingredients like potatoes and carrots, and is braised in a yellow sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, cooking wine, and light soy sauce.
The dish is distinguished by its golden color and a flavor profile that is sweet with a hint of spiciness. The chicken becomes tender and juicy, while the potatoes and carrots absorb the rich flavors, making them even more delicious. Yellow Braised Chicken comes in various versions and flavors across China and is a beloved staple in many households.
2.Ingredients and Substitutes
To make Yellow Braised Chicken, you'll need the following ingredients:
Chicken: The main protein source, providing rich texture and nutritional value to the dish.
Yellow Braised Chicken Sauce: The soul of the dish, this sauce adds the distinctive yellow color and enhances the flavor.
Green and Red Bell Peppers: These add a fresh crunch and a touch of spiciness, improving the dish’s color and flavor layers.
Shiitake Mushrooms: These mushrooms bring a unique aroma and flavor, making the dish more savory.
Onions: Onions add sweetness and fragrance, enhancing the dish’s depth and richness.
Dark Soy Sauce: This type of soy sauce adds color and a rich flavor, balancing the overall taste.
Ginger: Ginger helps to remove any gamey taste from the chicken and adds a pleasant aroma.
Cinnamon and Bay Leaves: Commonly used seasonings, these add a distinctive aroma and flavor to the dish.
Salt: Used to adjust the saltiness and balance the flavors of all the ingredients.
Cooking Wine: This helps to remove the chicken’s gamey taste and adds to the overall aroma of the dish.
Substitutes:
Chicken: You can use different cuts of chicken according to your preference, such as chicken thighs or drumsticks. For this recipe, a whole chicken or parts of it can be used.
3.Yellow Braised Chicken Sauce Recipe
The sauce for Yellow Braised Chicken is crucial as it defines the flavor and texture of the dish. You can buy pre-made Yellow Braised Chicken sauce from Asian grocery stores to save time. However, if you prefer to make it yourself, here’s a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cooking wine
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1/2 cup water (adjust to taste)
Instructions:
In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, sugar, cooking wine, and light soy sauce until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Pour the mixture into a skillet.
Add the water, adjusting the amount based on your taste preference.
Heat over low flame, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens.
Tip: Feel free to customize this simple sauce recipe to your taste. Adding ingredients like ginger slices or minced garlic can enhance the richness and aroma of the sauce.
4.Ingredients to Add to Yellow Braised Chicken
When making Yellow Braised Chicken, you can customize the dish with various ingredients to suit your taste. Here are some popular options:
Potatoes: Adds a soft, creamy texture and makes the dish more filling.
Carrots: Balances the flavor with its natural sweetness and adds color and nutrition.
Cilantro: Provides a fresh aroma and enhances the overall flavor.
Ham: Adding diced or sliced ham brings a rich, meaty flavor, adding depth to the dish.
Tofu: Adds a smooth texture and increases the dish’s variety and nutritional value.
Incorporating these ingredients can add layers of flavor and personal touch to your Yellow Braised Chicken, catering to different taste preferences.
5.What to Serve with Yellow Braised Chicken
1. Main Dishes
Rice: Rice is the classic accompaniment to Yellow Braised Chicken. The rich sauce from the dish blends perfectly with the rice, making it savory and satisfying. Each grain of rice absorbs the flavors of chicken, mushrooms, and bell peppers, creating a delicious and filling meal.
Noodles: Pouring the Yellow Braised Chicken sauce over cooked noodles, whether they’re ramen, egg noodles, or hand-pulled, enhances the flavor. The noodles soak up the rich sauce, and the combination of chicken and vegetables adds layers of texture and taste.
2. Vegetables
Cucumber Salad: Crisp and refreshing, cucumber salad helps balance the richness of Yellow Braised Chicken. Cucumbers are hydrating and packed with vitamin C and fiber, making this a nutritious and refreshing side that complements the meal.
Stir-Fried Vegetables (e.g., broccoli, lettuce): Broccoli and lettuce offer a fresh contrast to the rich flavors of Yellow Braised Chicken. Broccoli provides crunch and antioxidants, while lettuce adds a light, crispy texture, making the meal more balanced and healthy.
3. Drinks
Iced Black Tea: The sweetness and tea flavor of iced black tea counteract the richness of Yellow Braised Chicken. The polyphenols in tea aid digestion, and the cool, refreshing nature of the tea is particularly pleasant when paired with the hot, hearty chicken dish.
Plum Juice: With its balanced sweet and sour taste, plum juice is great for stimulating the appetite and cutting through the richness of Yellow Braised Chicken. Ingredients like dried plums and hawthorn berries promote digestion, making the meal more enjoyable and refreshing.
6.How to Store Yellow Braised Chicken
Refrigeration: Store Yellow Braised Chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days.
Freezing: Place Yellow Braised Chicken in a sealed freezer bag or container, and freeze for 1 to 2 months.
Reheating: Before eating, remove the chicken from the refrigerator or freezer, let it come to room temperature, and reheat it using a microwave, oven, or stovetop until heated through.
7.More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try
Bang Bang Chicken: A spicy and tangy chicken dish with a creamy peanut sauce.
Delicious Poached Chicken: Tender and flavorful poached chicken, perfect for salads or sandwiches.
Kung Pao Chicken:A classic Sichuan dish with a mix of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors, featuring chicken, peanuts, and vegetables.
Black Pepper Chicken: A savory and slightly spicy chicken dish with a robust black pepper sauce.
Here's a detailed recipe for making Huang Men Chicken. Give it a try!
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INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 300g (half a whole) chicken
ACCESSORIES
- 10g red bell pepper
- 2 slices ginger
- 15g shiitake mushrooms
- 18g green bell pepper
- 10g onion
SEASONINGS
- 2 tablespoons Huang Men Chicken sauce
- 0.5 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 piece cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cooking wine
- 5 bay leaves
- 20ml cooking oil
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
First, prepare all the ingredients.
STEP 2
Wash and cut 10g of red chili peppers and 18g of green chili peppers into chunks after removing the seeds. Slice 15g of shiitake mushrooms into strips. Dice 10g of onion, and julienne 2 slices of ginger. Set aside.
STEP 3
Clean 300g (half a chicken) and cut it into small pieces.
STEP 4
In a pot, add enough water to cover the chicken pieces, then add 1 tablespoon of cooking wine. Bring to a boil.
STEP 5
Once boiling, skim off any foam, and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove the chicken, rinse it, and drain well. Set aside.
STEP 6
Heat oil in a pan. Once hot, add the diced onions and ginger slices and sauté until fragrant.
STEP 7
Add the blanched chicken pieces to the pan and stir-fry over high heat.
STEP 8
Once the chicken starts to brown slightly, add 2 tablespoons of Yellow Braised Chicken sauce and 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce. Stir-fry to coat the chicken evenly.
STEP 9
Continue stir-frying over high heat for about 1 minute.
STEP 10
Add 5 bay leaves and 1 piece of cinnamon stick.
STEP 11
Pour in enough water to cover the chicken, then add the sliced shiitake mushrooms.
STEP 12
Season with about 1 tablespoon of salt, or to taste.
STEP 13
Simmer the chicken over high heat until the sauce is thickened and the chicken is tender (about 50 minutes).
STEP 14
Once the cooking time is up, add the prepared red and green chili pepper chunks. Stir-fry quickly until the peppers are just cooked and have changed color. Turn off the heat.
STEP 15
Your delicious Yellow Braised Chicken is ready to serve!
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. The Yellow Braised Chicken Sauce is Too Thin or Too Thick
Causes:
Incorrect Water Amount: Adding too much water will make the sauce thin, while adding too little will make it too thick.
Improper Heat Control: Cooking at too high a heat causes rapid evaporation, making the sauce thick; cooking at too low a heat means the sauce does not reduce enough.
Solutions:
Adjust Water Amount: Add enough water to just cover the ingredients. If you prefer more sauce, you can slightly increase the amount of water, but do not exceed 1.5 times the height of the ingredients.
Control Heat: During cooking, adjust the heat based on the sauce’s consistency. If the sauce is too thin, increase the heat to reduce it; if it’s too thick, add a small amount of hot water to adjust.
2. How Long Should Yellow Braised Chicken Be Simmered?
The simmering time for Yellow Braised Chicken depends on various factors, including the size and tenderness of the chicken and the cooking equipment used. Generally, Yellow Braised Chicken needs to be simmered for 40 to 60 minutes to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and well-flavored.
Pressure Cooker: The simmering time can be reduced to 10 to 15 minutes.
Regular Pot: The simmering time will need to be extended accordingly.
During cooking, you can check if the chicken is done by observing its color and texture. The chicken should turn golden brown and be tender, with the sauce thickened before turning off the heat.
To enhance the flavor of Yellow Braised Chicken, you can marinate the chicken before cooking or add spices and seasonings during the cooking process, such as ginger slices, green onions, star anise, cinnamon, cooking wine, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce.
3. Is Cao Jiangjun Chicken the Same as Yellow Braised Chicken?
Cao Jiangjun Chicken and Yellow Braised Chicken have similarities but differ in seasoning, cooking methods, and regional origin:
Seasoning and Flavor:
Yellow Braised Chicken: Primarily uses yellow bean sauce as the seasoning, resulting in a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
Cao Jiangjun Chicken: Uses soy sauce, cooking wine, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings, giving it a fresh and rich flavor.
Cooking Method:
Yellow Braised Chicken: The chicken is first simmered to absorb flavors, then other ingredients are added and cooked together.
Cao Jiangjun Chicken: The chicken is first marinated in soy sauce, then stir-fried and cooked, resulting in tender meat.
Regional Differences:
Yellow Braised Chicken: Originates from Hunan and is known for its unique flavor and cooking method.
Cao Jiangjun Chicken: Comes from Shandong and is a classic dish in Shandong cuisine.
4. Strong Chicken Odor
Causes:
Inadequate Cleaning and Blanching: If the chicken is only lightly rinsed, blood and impurities may remain, leading to a strong odor.
Insufficient or Incorrect Use of Cooking Wine: Cooking wine is crucial for removing odor. If too little is used or added too late, it won’t effectively eliminate the smell.
Solutions:
Chicken Preparation: Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces, soak it in cold water for 15-20 minutes, changing the water 1-2 times. Then, blanch the chicken by heating it in cold water, bringing it to a boil, and cooking for 3-5 minutes. Remove the chicken and rinse it with hot water.
Cooking Wine Usage: Add enough cooking wine based on the amount of chicken. After sautéing the green onions, ginger, and garlic, immediately add the chicken and cooking wine, stirring to ensure the wine evaporates and removes the odor effectively.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Huang Men Ji（Yellow Braised chicken）
- Main Ingredients:6
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:357 g
-
Energy (calories)：360 kcal
-
Protein：61.96 g
-
Fat：8.26 g
Why gray?
-
Carbohydrates：6.46 g
-
Protein: 73%263 kcal
-
Fat: 21%74 kcal
-
Carbohydrates: 6%23 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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