Delightful Chinese Wine Chicken Recipe: Simple and Tasty

Looking to elevate your cooking skills with a flavorful and delectable dish? Look no further than the Chinese wine chicken recipe, also known as drunken chicken. This traditional Chinese cold appetizer is not only simple to make but is also packed with bold flavors. Perfect for special occasions or as a comforting home-cooked meal, this dish is sure to impress your taste buds.

The essential ingredients of the Chinese wine chicken recipe include chicken, Shaoxing wine, ginger, and sesame oil. The preparation techniques involve marinating the chicken in a mixture of wine and spices, which infuses it with a rich and complex flavour. The cooking process involves poaching the chicken until it is tender and juicy, then serving it cold with a dipping sauce.

Key Takeaways

• The Chinese wine chicken recipe is a flavourful and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for special occasions or as a comforting home-cooked meal.
• The essential ingredients of the recipe include chicken, Shaoxing wine, ginger, and sesame oil.
• The dish can be enjoyed as a cold appetizer with a dipping sauce, and seafood such as prawns or scallops can be added to the recipe for extra flavour.

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making Chinese wine chicken, there are a few essential ingredients that you'll need to have on hand. These ingredients will help to give your dish the authentic flavour and aroma that is so beloved in Chinese cuisine. Here are the key ingredients that you'll need:

Chicken Selection

The quality of the chicken that you use in this recipe is crucial. It's best to use free-range chicken or organic chicken if you can, as these types of chicken tend to have a better flavour and texture than factory-farmed chicken. You can use chicken thighs, drumsticks, or a combination of both.

Wine Varieties

The most commonly used wine in Chinese wine chicken is Shaoxing wine. This is a type of rice wine that is made in the Shaoxing region of China. If you can't find Shaoxing wine, you can substitute it with other types of rice wine or dry sherry.

Aromatic Additions

Ginger is a key ingredient in Chinese cuisine, and it's used in this recipe to add a spicy, aromatic flavour to the chicken. Other aromatic additions that you can use include goji berries, red dates, wolfberries and sesame oil. These ingredients will help to give your dish a rich, complex flavour.

Sauce Components

The sauce is what ties the dish together, and there are a few key components that you'll need to include. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken stock, salt, sugar and pepper are all commonly used in Chinese wine chicken. You can adjust the amounts of these ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

If you want to add a seafood twist to your Chinese wine chicken recipe, you can try adding shrimp or scallops. These seafood options will complement the flavours of the chicken and add a unique twist to the dish.

Preparation Techniques

Marinating Basics

Marinating the chicken is an essential step in preparing Chinese wine chicken. The marinade helps to infuse the chicken with flavour and tenderize the meat. You can marinate the chicken for as little as 30 minutes or up to 24 hours, depending on your preference. To marinate the chicken, mix Chinese cooking wine, light soy sauce, salt, and ginger in a bowl. You can also add other ingredients such as black fungus, red dates, or goji berries to enhance the flavour.

Steaming Methods

Steaming is the preferred method of cooking Chinese wine chicken as it helps to retain the moisture and flavour of the chicken. To steam the chicken, place it in a steaming plate or a heatproof dish and add water to the steamer. You can also add ginger and green onions to the water to enhance the flavour. Steam the chicken for 20-30 minutes, or until cooked through. Make sure to check the water level in the steamer periodically to prevent it from drying out.

Serving Suggestions

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the steamer and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting it into pieces. Garnish the chicken with coriander or spring onions for added flavour and presentation. You can also serve the chicken with steamed rice or vegetables. If you want to add seafood to the recipe, you can use shrimp or scallops as a delicious addition. Simply add them to the marinade or steam them separately and serve alongside the chicken.

Overall, Chinese wine chicken is a delicious and easy-to-prepare dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can create a flavourful and tender chicken dish that is sure to impress your guests.

Cooking Process

Cooking the Chicken

To start making the Chinese wine chicken, you need to first clean and cut the chicken into pieces. Then, marinate the chicken with salt and pepper and let it sit for a while. Once the chicken is marinated, you can start cooking it.

To cook the chicken, you can either boil it or steam it. If you prefer to boil the chicken, bring a pot of water to a boil and add the chicken pieces. Let the chicken cook for about 5-10 minutes, or until it is fully cooked. If you prefer to steam the chicken, place the chicken pieces in a steaming plate and steam for about 20-25 minutes.

Preparing the Wine Sauce

While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare the wine sauce. In a separate bowl, mix together the hakka rice wine, chicken broth, soy sauce, shredded ginger, and soaked black fungus. You can also add some seafood to the sauce, such as shrimp or scallops, to give it an extra flavour.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot or steaming plate and let it cool down for a few minutes. Then, pour the wine sauce over the chicken and let it marinate for about 30 minutes.

Assembling the Dish

To assemble the dish, you can either serve the chicken and wine sauce as is, or you can thicken the sauce to make a gravy. To thicken the sauce, mix together some cornstarch and water in a separate bowl and add it to the wine sauce.

Once the sauce has thickened, pour it over the chicken and garnish with some spring onions. You can also add some seafood to the dish, such as clams or mussels, to give it an extra flavour. Serve the Chinese wine chicken hot with some rice on the side.

Nutritional Information

If you are looking for a nourishing and delicious meal, then Chinese wine chicken is a great choice. This dish is packed with flavour and is also a good source of protein. Here's a look at the nutritional information for this dish:

• Calories: A serving of Chinese wine chicken contains approximately 350-400 calories. This can vary depending on the specific recipe and serving size.

• Protein: Chicken is a great source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles. A serving of Chinese wine chicken can provide you with around 30-40 grams of protein.

• Cholesterol: Chicken is a relatively low-cholesterol food, which makes it a good choice for those who are watching their cholesterol levels. However, if you are concerned about cholesterol, you can try using seafood instead of chicken in this recipe. For example, you could use shrimp or scallops instead of chicken.

• Nutrition Facts: Chinese wine chicken is also a good source of vitamins and minerals. For example, the ginger in this recipe is a good source of vitamin C, while the wine used in the recipe contains antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage.

Overall, Chinese wine chicken is a nutritious and delicious dish that can be a great addition to your diet. Whether you use chicken or seafood in this recipe, you can be sure that you are getting a healthy and satisfying meal.

Confinement and Healing Properties

If you are looking for a dish that is not only flavourful but also has healing properties, then Chinese wine chicken is the perfect choice. This dish is often served during the confinement period, which is a time when new mothers are recovering from childbirth. It is believed that the ingredients used in this dish can help to nourish the body and speed up the healing process.

Confinement Period Benefits

During the confinement period, it is important to eat foods that are rich in nutrients and can help to boost the immune system. Chinese wine chicken is a great choice because it contains angelica root, black fungus and glutinous wine lees, which are all known for their healing properties. These ingredients can help to improve blood circulation, boost the immune system and promote overall wellbeing.

Traditional Healing Ingredients

The key ingredients in Chinese wine chicken are chicken, ginger, sesame oil and rice wine. In addition to these, some recipes also call for angelica root, black fungus and glutinous wine lees. Angelica root is believed to help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce cramping, while black fungus is rich in iron and can help to boost the immune system. Glutinous wine lees are a by-product of the wine-making process and are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.

If you are looking to add some variety to your Chinese wine chicken recipe, you could also consider adding seafood. Shrimp or prawns are a great addition to this dish and can help to boost the protein content. Alternatively, you could add some clams or mussels for a seafood twist on this traditional dish. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that the seafood is cooked through.

Overall, Chinese wine chicken is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for the confinement period or any time you want to nourish your body with healing ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key ingredients for a traditional Chinese wine chicken dish?

The traditional Chinese wine chicken dish requires chicken, Shaoxing wine, ginger, and green onions. Other ingredients may vary depending on the recipe, but these are the essential ones.

How can you adapt the classic Chinese wine chicken recipe for a quick weeknight meal?

To adapt the classic Chinese wine chicken recipe for a quick weeknight meal, you can marinate the chicken in the Shaoxing wine, ginger, and green onions ahead of time. When you're ready to cook, simply stir-fry the chicken in a wok or pan until it's cooked through. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs to save time on preparation.

What's the secret to getting authentic flavours in a homemade Chinese wine chicken?

The secret to getting authentic flavours in a homemade Chinese wine chicken is to use high-quality ingredients, especially the Shaoxing wine. You should also marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat.

Can you suggest a simple method for preparing Chinese wine chicken with rice?

To prepare Chinese wine chicken with rice, start by cooking the rice according to the package instructions. While the rice is cooking, marinate the chicken in Shaoxing wine, ginger, and green onions for at least 30 minutes. Then, stir-fry the chicken in a wok or pan until it's cooked through. Serve the chicken over the cooked rice.

What are some common substitutions for Shaoxing wine in Chinese wine chicken recipes?

If you don't have Shaoxing wine, you can use other types of Chinese rice wine or dry sherry as a substitute. However, keep in mind that the flavour may be slightly different.

How does the choice of Chinese wine affect the final taste of the chicken dish?

The choice of Chinese wine can affect the final taste of the chicken dish. For example, Shaoxing wine has a rich, nutty flavour that adds depth to the dish, while other types of Chinese rice wine may have a milder flavour. If you want to experiment with different flavours, you can try using different types of Chinese wine or even adding seafood, such as shrimp or scallops, to the dish.