Chinese Baked Chicken Recipe: Elevate Your Home Cooking Experience

If you're looking for a dish that's full of flavour and perfect for feeding the whole family, look no further than a Chinese baked chicken recipe. With its blend of spices and herbs, this dish is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied.

To make this dish, you'll need a few essential ingredients, including chicken, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder. Once you have your ingredients, you'll need to prepare them by marinating the chicken in a mixture of spices and herbs, and then baking it in the oven until it's cooked through.

The cooking process is relatively simple, and with a little bit of practice, you'll be able to master this dish in no time. Once your chicken is cooked, you can serve it up with some rice or noodles, and enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal that's perfect for any occasion.

Key Takeaways

• A Chinese baked chicken recipe is a great option for feeding the whole family.
• Essential ingredients include chicken, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder.
• This dish is easy to prepare and can be served with rice or noodles.

Essential Ingredients

To make Chinese baked chicken, you will need a few essential ingredients. Here's what you need to know about each one:

Choosing the Right Chicken

When it comes to choosing the right chicken for this recipe, chicken thighs are the best option. They are more flavourful than chicken breasts and have a higher fat content, which keeps them moist during baking. If you prefer bone-in chicken, it will give a better presentation, but boneless chicken thighs are equally good. You can also use wings or a whole chicken if you prefer.

Marinade Components

The marinade is an essential component of Chinese baked chicken. It helps to infuse the chicken with flavour and keep it moist during baking. The marinade typically consists of soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, honey, oyster sauce, and green onions. You can also add sand ginger powder if you can find it.

Seasoning for Flavour

To season the chicken, you will need a mixture of spices, including five-spice powder, sugar, and salt. You can also add other spices to taste, such as ground Sichuan peppercorns or black pepper. The spices will give the chicken a delicious flavour and aroma.

If you want to add seafood to the recipe, you can use shrimp or scallops. Simply mix them with the marinade and spices before baking. However, be sure not to overcook the seafood, as it can become tough and rubbery.

Preparation Techniques

Marinating the Chicken

Before baking the chicken, you need to marinate it to ensure that it is flavourful and tender. You can use your favourite marinade or try a Chinese-inspired one. If you want to try something new, consider marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and a pinch of Chinese five-spice powder. This will give the chicken a delicious Asian flavour.

To marinate the chicken, place it in a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure that it is coated evenly. Cover the bowl with cling film or seal the bag and place it in the fridge. Leave it to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or better still, overnight. This will allow the chicken to absorb the flavours of the marinade.

Preparing the Baking Sheet

To ensure that the chicken bakes evenly and doesn't stick to the baking sheet, you need to prepare the baking sheet properly. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminium foil to prevent the chicken from sticking. You can also brush the paper or foil with a little bit of oil to make sure that the chicken doesn't dry out.

Oven Settings

Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/400°F/gas mark 6. Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy. If you are using bone-in chicken, you may need to bake it for a little longer.

If you want to add a seafood twist to your baked chicken recipe, you can try adding some prawns or scallops to the marinade. Simply marinate the seafood in the same mixture as the chicken, and then add it to the baking sheet during the last 5-7 minutes of baking. This will give the seafood a delicious flavour and texture, and it will also add some variety to your meal.

Cooking Process

Roasting the Chicken

To roast your Chinese baked chicken, preheat your oven to 220°C. Place the chicken in a roasting pan, breast side up. Brush the chicken with oil or melted butter, and season it with salt and pepper. You can also use a dry rub or marinade of your choice to add more flavour to the chicken.

Roast the chicken for about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 74°C. To check the temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, making sure not to touch the bone. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can check for doneness by piercing the chicken with a fork. If the juices run clear, the chicken is cooked.

Checking for Doneness

It's important to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is cooked through. An undercooked chicken can be dangerous to eat, while an overcooked chicken can be dry and tough. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 74°C to be safe to eat.

Resting and Carving

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more juicy and tender.

To carve the chicken, use a sharp knife to cut through the skin between the leg and the body. Pull the leg away from the body to expose the joint, then cut through the joint to separate the leg from the body. Repeat on the other side.

Next, cut through the skin between the breast and the body. Use a carving knife to slice the breast meat off the bone, cutting parallel to the rib cage. Repeat on the other side.

You can serve your Chinese baked chicken with rice, vegetables, or seafood. Seafood such as prawns, scallops or squid can be added to the roasting pan in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to create a delicious surf and turf dish.

Serving Suggestions

Accompaniments

To complement your delicious Chinese baked chicken, consider serving it with steamed rice and some stir-fried veggies such as bok choy. Garnishing your dish with thinly sliced scallions can also add a pop of colour and flavour to your meal.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try pairing your chicken with some seafood. Shrimp or prawns can be a great addition to your meal, as they can be easily stir-fried with some garlic and ginger. Alternatively, you can also try serving your chicken with a side of plum sauce, which can add a sweet and tangy flavour to your dish.

Presentation

When it comes to presenting your Chinese baked chicken, you can get creative with your plating. Consider serving your chicken on a bed of steamed rice, and arrange your veggies and seafood around it. You can also drizzle some plum sauce over your chicken for added flavour and presentation.

To make your dish even more visually appealing, try garnishing it with some scallions, which can add a pop of colour and freshness to your meal. You can also consider serving your chicken in individual portions, which can make for a more elegant presentation.

There are many ways to serve your Chinese baked chicken, so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you. Whether you opt for a classic pairing of steamed rice and veggies, or decide to add some seafood or plum sauce to your dish, your chicken is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Nutritional Information

When it comes to Chinese baked chicken, it's important to consider the nutritional information to ensure that you are getting a balanced meal. Here's a breakdown of the key nutritional components to keep in mind:

Calories and Carbohydrates

The number of calories and carbohydrates in your Chinese baked chicken recipe will depend on the ingredients you use. For example, if you use a lot of rice or noodles, your dish will be higher in carbohydrates. However, if you use more vegetables or lean protein like chicken or seafood, your dish will be lower in calories and carbohydrates.

Protein

Chicken is a great source of protein, and adding seafood like shrimp or scallops can also boost the protein content of your dish. Protein is important for building and repairing muscle tissue, and it can also help you feel full and satisfied after your meal.

Nutrition and Saturated Fat

When it comes to nutrition, it's important to choose healthy fats like olive oil or avocado oil instead of saturated fats like butter or lard. You can also add healthy fats by including nuts or seeds in your recipe. However, be mindful of the amount of oil you use as it can add up quickly.

Cholesterol and Sodium

Chicken is a lean protein and is low in cholesterol. However, if you use a lot of soy sauce or other high-sodium ingredients in your recipe, you may end up with a dish that is high in sodium. Be mindful of the amount of salt you use and try to use low-sodium soy sauce or other condiments.

Fibre, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C

Adding vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers to your recipe can boost the fibre, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C content of your dish. These nutrients are important for maintaining a healthy diet and can help to prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Nutrition Facts and Nutritionix

You can use nutrition calculators like Nutritionix to get a breakdown of the nutritional information for your recipe. This can be especially helpful if you are tracking your macros or trying to eat a balanced diet.

Seafood

If you want to add seafood to your Chinese baked chicken recipe, consider using shrimp or scallops. These seafood options are low in calories and high in protein, making them a great addition to any meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the secret to a crispy skin on Chinese-style roast chicken?

The secret to achieving a crispy skin on Chinese-style roast chicken is to dry the skin thoroughly before baking. You can do this by patting the chicken dry with paper towels and allowing it to air dry in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Another tip is to brush the chicken with a mixture of oil and soy sauce before baking, which will help to create a crispy, golden-brown skin.

How do you keep chicken moist and tender in a Chinese baked recipe?

To keep chicken moist and tender in a Chinese baked recipe, it is important to marinate the chicken for at least a few hours before baking. A marinade made with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and rice wine vinegar is a classic choice that will infuse the chicken with flavour and help to keep it moist and tender. Another tip is to baste the chicken with the marinade during baking to keep it moist.

Can you recommend any special spices for an authentic Chinese roast chicken flavour?

Chinese five-spice powder is a classic spice blend that is often used in Chinese roast chicken recipes. It is made with a mixture of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds, and adds a unique, fragrant flavour to the chicken. Other spices that can be used include ginger, garlic, and dried chillies.

What's the best way to marinate chicken for a Chinese-style bake?

The best way to marinate chicken for a Chinese-style bake is to mix together soy sauce, ginger, garlic, rice wine vinegar, and a pinch of sugar. You can also add other flavourings such as five-spice powder, sesame oil, and chilli flakes to customize the marinade to your taste. Marinate the chicken for at least a few hours, or overnight, for best results.

How long should I bake chicken to achieve that classic Chinese texture?

To achieve the classic Chinese texture, bake the chicken at a high temperature (around 200°C) for about 30-40 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden-brown and the meat is cooked through. If using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 75°C.

Are there any tricks to enhance the flavour of a simple Chinese chicken bake?

One trick to enhance the flavour of a simple Chinese chicken bake is to add seafood to the recipe. For example, you can add prawns or scallops to the marinade to infuse the chicken with a seafood flavour. Another tip is to use Chinese-style sausages, which have a sweet and savoury flavour that pairs well with chicken. Finally, you can serve the chicken with a dipping sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger, which will add an extra layer of flavour to the dish.