Delicious and Healthy Steam Chicken Mushroom Chinese Recipe: Try It Today!
Looking for a simple yet satisfying Chinese dish to curb your cravings? Look no further than the steamed chicken with mushrooms recipe. This beloved Cantonese cuisine staple requires only a few essential ingredients to create a tender and flavorful dish that will surely become a favourite in your cooking repertoire.
To make this dish, you'll need chicken, shiitake mushrooms, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a few other simple ingredients. Marinating the chicken is an essential step in the recipe, as it helps to infuse the meat with flavour and keep it moist during the steaming process. Once the chicken is marinated, it's time to prepare the mushrooms and other ingredients and steam everything together until the chicken is cooked through and the mushrooms are tender.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try adding seafood to the recipe. Shrimp or scallops are great options that pair well with the chicken and mushrooms. Simply add them to the dish during the steaming process and adjust the cooking time accordingly. With a little experimentation, you can create a unique and delicious version of this classic Chinese recipe that's perfect for any occasion.
Key Takeaways
- Steamed chicken with mushrooms is a classic Cantonese dish that requires only a few essential ingredients.
- Marinating the chicken is an essential step in the recipe to infuse the meat with flavour and keep it moist during the steaming process.
- Adding seafood such as shrimp or scallops to the recipe can create a unique and delicious version of this classic Chinese dish.
Essential Ingredients
To make a delicious Chinese-style steamed chicken with mushrooms, you'll need a few essential ingredients. Here are the key ingredients you'll need to prepare this dish:
Choosing the Right Chicken
When it comes to choosing the right chicken for this recipe, boneless skinless chicken thighs are the best option. They are tender and juicy, and they cook quickly in the steamer. You can also use bone-in chicken thighs if you prefer, but be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Selecting Mushrooms
Dried shiitake mushrooms are the most commonly used mushrooms in this recipe. They have a meaty texture and a rich, earthy flavour that pairs well with chicken. You can also use fresh shiitake mushrooms if you prefer, but dried mushrooms are more flavourful. Additionally, you can add dried wood ear mushrooms to the recipe for extra texture and flavour.
Additional Ingredients
In addition to chicken and mushrooms, you'll need a few other ingredients to make this dish. These include ginger, sesame oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce (both light and dark), rice wine (such as Shaoxing wine), cornstarch, garlic, and scallions. These ingredients add flavour and depth to the dish.
If you want to add seafood to the recipe, you can use shrimp or scallops. Simply add them to the steaming plate along with the chicken and mushrooms. The seafood will cook quickly in the steam and absorb the flavours of the other ingredients.
That's all you need to make a delicious Chinese-style steamed chicken with mushrooms. With these essential ingredients, you'll be able to create a tasty and healthy meal that your family will love.
Marinating the Chicken
When it comes to making Chinese-style steamed chicken with mushrooms, the key to a delicious dish is the marination process. Marinating the chicken allows it to absorb all the flavours of the seasonings, resulting in a tender and juicy meat that's packed with taste.
Flavour Pairings
The traditional Chinese marinade for steamed chicken usually consists of oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, Chinese rice wine, and ginger. These seasonings work together to create a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and savoury flavours.
To add some extra depth to the dish, you could also consider using garlic oil or ground white pepper. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try adding some seafood to the marinade. Shrimp or scallops would complement the chicken and mushrooms perfectly.
Marination Time
The marination time for the chicken is crucial. You want to give the meat enough time to absorb the flavours, but not so long that it becomes overly salty or tough. Ideally, you should marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before steaming. If you have more time, you could even marinate it overnight in the fridge for an even more intense flavour.
When marinating the chicken, be sure to mix the seasonings thoroughly and evenly coat the meat. You can also add some sugar and salt to the marinade to balance out the flavours and tenderize the chicken.
With these simple tips, you'll be able to create an easy and delicious Chinese-style steamed chicken with mushrooms that's bursting with flavour.
Steaming Process
When it comes to cooking Chinese-style steamed chicken with mushrooms, steaming is the method of choice. Steaming is a healthy cooking method that preserves the nutrients and natural flavours of the chicken and mushrooms. Here are some tips to ensure your steamed chicken and mushrooms turn out tender and delicious.
Preparing the Steamer
Before you start, make sure you have a steamer that's big enough to accommodate your chicken and mushrooms. You can use a bamboo steamer or a metal steamer. If you're using a bamboo steamer, line it with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent the chicken from sticking.
Fill the bottom of your steamer with water, making sure the water level is below the steaming rack. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a steady simmer.
Steaming Time and Techniques
The steaming time for your chicken and mushrooms will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces. As a general rule of thumb, bone-in chicken takes longer to cook than boneless chicken.
For bone-in chicken, steam for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. For boneless chicken, steam for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle.
To check if your chicken is cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. The internal temperature should be 165°F (75°C).
To add some variety to your Chinese-style steamed chicken with mushrooms, you can also try adding some seafood to the mix. Shrimp, scallops, and clams all work well with the recipe. Simply add them to the steamer along with the chicken and mushrooms, and adjust the steaming time accordingly.
Overall, steaming is a great cooking method for Chinese-style steamed chicken with mushrooms. It's a healthy and easy way to cook protein-rich dishes, and it ensures that your chicken and mushrooms come out tender and delicious.
Serving and Presentation
After the chicken and mushrooms are steamed to perfection, it's time to serve and present your dish. Here are some tips to make your steamed chicken and mushroom dish look and taste amazing.
Accompaniments
Steamed chicken and mushroom goes well with steamed white rice. You can also serve it with some vegetables such as steamed broccoli, asparagus, or bok choy. The broth-like sauce from the steamed chicken and mushroom can be poured over the rice to give it more flavour.
Garnishing Tips
To make your dish more visually appealing, you can garnish it with some fresh herbs such as coriander or parsley. You can also add some sliced chillies for a pop of colour and heat. If you want to add some seafood to your dish, you can top it with some steamed prawns or scallops.
To further enhance the aroma and umami flavour of your dish, you can sprinkle some sesame oil over the chicken and mushrooms before serving. This will give your dish a fragrant and nutty taste.
If you want to share your dish on social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook, you can take a short video of the steam rising from the dish. This will make your dish look more appetizing and enticing to your followers.
In conclusion, steamed chicken and mushroom is a delicious and healthy dish that can be served with rice and vegetables. With these tips, you can make your dish look and taste amazing.
Cultural Significance
Steamed Chicken with Mushrooms is a classic Cantonese dish that holds a special place in the hearts of many Chinese families. It is a dish that is often prepared for special occasions such as Chinese New Year, weddings, and family gatherings. It is also a popular comfort food that many people grew up eating as a child.
Mushrooms are a key ingredient in this dish, and Chinese mushrooms such as shiitake, black fungus, and wood ear mushrooms are commonly used. These mushrooms are not only delicious but also high in iron, making them a nutritious addition to the dish.
Other ingredients such as Chinese sausage, goji berries, and red dates are often added to enhance the flavour and nutritional value of the dish. Dried lily flowers are also a popular addition, giving the dish a unique texture and flavour.
If you want to add some seafood to the dish, you can use prawns or scallops. They will add a slightly sweet flavour and a tender texture to the dish.
Overall, Steamed Chicken with Mushrooms is a dish that is deeply rooted in Cantonese culture and is considered a symbol of family togetherness and tradition. It is a dish that is easy to make and can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their cultural background.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the simplest way to prepare a steamed chicken and mushroom dish?
The simplest way to prepare a steamed chicken and mushroom dish is to marinate the chicken with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Then, place the chicken in a steamer with shiitake mushrooms and steam for about 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
How can you incorporate rice into a steamed chicken and mushroom meal?
The best way to incorporate rice into a steamed chicken and mushroom meal is to cook it separately and serve it alongside the dish. You can use steamed white rice or brown rice to complement the flavours of the chicken and mushrooms.
Can you share a recipe for steamed chicken with mushrooms and black fungus?
Sure, here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 10 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked in hot water
- 10g dried black fungus, soaked in hot water
- 3 slices of ginger
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of rice wine (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of white pepper
- 2 stalks of spring onion, chopped
Instructions:
- Marinate the chicken with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, sugar, salt, and white pepper for at least 30 minutes.
- Place the chicken, shiitake mushrooms, black fungus, and ginger in a steamer.
- Steam for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Garnish with chopped spring onion before serving.
What are the steps for creating a Cantonese-style steamed chicken?
To create a Cantonese-style steamed chicken, you will need to marinate the chicken with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Then, place the chicken in a steamer with shiitake mushrooms and Chinese sausages. Steam for about 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Garnish with chopped spring onion before serving.
How do you steam chicken with shiitake mushrooms for an authentic Chinese flavour?
To steam chicken with shiitake mushrooms for an authentic Chinese flavour, you will need to marinate the chicken with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine. Then, place the chicken in a steamer with shiitake mushrooms and ginger. Steam for about 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Garnish with chopped spring onion and coriander before serving.
Is it possible to steam chicken and shiitake mushrooms together in a stir-fry?
No, it is not possible to steam chicken and shiitake mushrooms together in a stir-fry. Steaming requires a closed environment with steam, while stir-frying requires an open environment with high heat. However, you can stir-fry chicken and shiitake mushrooms separately and then combine them in a dish. You can also consider adding seafood such as prawns or scallops to the stir-fry for added flavour and texture.