Soy-braised chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that features tender chicken pieces braised in a rich soy-based sauce. This recipe serves 6-8 people and is perfect for a family dinner or gathering. The chicken is marinated with ground black peppercorns, minced ginger, light soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, and brown sugar for at least 3 hours, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat.
The marinated chicken is then deep-fried until golden brown, creating a crispy exterior while sealing in the juices. The marinade, along with chicken stock, salt, and crystallized sugar, is used to create a savory and aromatic sauce. The chicken is then returned to the pan and simmered in the sauce for 35-40 minutes, infusing it with rich flavors.
Once cooked, the chicken is chopped into bite-size pieces and served with the flavorful sauce. This soy-braised chicken is best enjoyed immediately, accompanied by steamed rice or noodles.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 chicken, about 1.4kg/3lb
- 1 tablespoon ground black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh root ginger
- 75ml/3fl oz light soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons Chinese rice wine
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- Vegetable oil for deep-frying
- 600ml/1pt chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 25g/1oz crystallized sugar
PREPARATIONS:
- Rub the chicken both inside and out with the ground black peppercorns and minced ginger.
- Marinate the chicken with the light soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, and light brown sugar for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator, turning it several times.
- Heat a wok until very hot. Add vegetable oil and, once the oil is hot enough, remove the chicken from the marinade (reserving the marinade), and deep-fry it for 6 minutes or until it is browned all over. Remove and drain on kitchen paper.
- Pour off any excess oil from the wok. Add the reserved marinade, chicken stock, salt, and crystallized sugar to the wok, and bring it to a boil. Return the chicken to the pan, cover it, and braise the chicken in the sauce for 35-40 minutes, turning it once or twice.
- Remove the chicken from the wok and allow it to cool slightly before chopping it into bite-size pieces. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.
YIELD:
- This recipe serves 6-8 people.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- When deep-frying the chicken, make sure the oil is hot enough to ensure a crispy and golden-brown exterior.
- Adjust the seasoning of the sauce according to your taste preferences. You can add more soy sauce or sugar if desired.
TIPS:
- Serve the soy-braised chicken with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Garnish the dish with sliced green onions or cilantro for added freshness and flavor.
- You can add vegetables such as bok choy, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the sauce for additional texture and nutrients.
Soy-braised chicken is a flavorful and satisfying dish that brings together tender chicken pieces and a rich soy-based sauce. This recipe serves 6-8 people, making it perfect for family dinners or gatherings. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of ground black peppercorns, minced ginger, light soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, and brown sugar, allowing the flavors to infuse the meat.
After marinating, the chicken is deep-fried until golden brown and crispy, and then braised in a savory sauce made from the reserved marinade, chicken stock, salt, and crystallized sugar. The result is tender and succulent chicken with a deliciously flavorful sauce.
Serve the soy-braised chicken hot, accompanied by steamed rice or noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce. The combination of tender chicken and rich, savory sauce is sure to delight your taste buds. Garnish with sliced green onions or cilantro for an added pop of freshness.
Enjoy this soy-braised chicken recipe, and savor the delightful flavors of this classic dish.
