**Red-cooked chicken**, also known as Hong Shao Ji, is a classic and flavorful dish from Eastern China, featuring tender chicken braised in a rich and aromatic soy sauce-based sauce. This dish is a staple in many Chinese restaurants and home kitchens, and for good reason. The chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender, while the sauce is savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly addictive. The combination of soy sauce, rice wine, ginger, garlic, and spices creates a complex and harmonious flavor profile that will tantalize your taste buds. This article provides two recipes for red-cooked chicken: one is a traditional version using a clay pot, and the other is a simplified version using a regular pot. Both recipes are easy to follow and yield delicious results. So whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, give red-cooked chicken a try and experience the wonderful flavors of Eastern Chinese cuisine.
Let's cook with our recipes!
RED COOKED CHICKEN, EASTERN CHINESE STYLE
This recipe is adapted from "The Gourmet Chinese Regional Cookbook" by Calvin B. T. Lee and Audrey Evans lee. A fine alternative to Chinese stir fries. It can be made ahead and reaheated. The anise gives it a wonderully exotic flavor. The gravy can be saved and reused.
Provided by tgobbi
Categories Chicken
Time 1h5m
Yield 2-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Star anise (available in Asian markets) comes in cellophane bags.
- Whole ones have a total of eight points, each with an anise seed inside.
- If you can't find a whole one, just count out eight broken pieces.
- Use a little more or less to taste but don't omit it since it's an important element in this recipe.
- The original recipe calls for Chinese rock sugar which imparts a lustrous finish to the gravy.
- Available in Asian stores.
- Remove any excess fat from the chicken.
- Heat oil and brown chicken on all sides.
- Add the anise, scallions, ginger& garlic and brown slightly.
- Combine the soy sauces, brown sugar, stock and sherry and pour into the pot with the chicken.
- Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down until the sauce is simmering slightly.
- Cook uncovered for 45- 50 minutes, turning and basting every 10 minutes.
- To serve just pull the meat off with a serving fork.
- Use the gravy on the chicken and on rice.
RED-COOKED CHICKEN
Steps:
- Bring chicken, water, soy sauce, sugar, Sherry, ginger, and star anise to a simmer, covered, in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Cook until meat is tender, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to a serving bowl and keep warm, covered.
- Skim off any fat from sauce and boil sauce until syrupy and reduced by half, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir cornstarch mixture and whisk into sauce. Boil, whisking, until thickened and shiny, about 1 minute. Discard ginger and star anise.
- Pour sauce over chicken and sprinkle with scallions.
CHINESE RED COOKED CHICKEN THIGHS
From Cooking Light, the soy sauce mixture in this recipe turns the chicken a deep, dark reddish brown hue and imparts loads of delicious flavor. The aroma of these cooking is wonderful!
Provided by Julesong
Categories Chicken Thigh & Leg
Time 1h
Yield 2 thighs and noodles per serving, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, combine the sherry, sugar, soy sauce, water, crushed fennel seeds, ginger, orange rind strips, and cinnamon sticks, and bring to a boil; reduce the temperature and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
- Add the chicken thighs, cover the Dutch oven partially with the lid, and simmer for 45 minutes, turning the thighs occasionally.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks and rind; discard.
- In a bowl, pour the boiling water over the bean threads and let stand for about 5 minutes or until threads are soft; drain.
- Serve the thighs over the threads/noodles.
- Cooking Light, June 1998.
- Note: you can also use drumsticks instead of thighs, but do take the skin off to make sure the meat gets all the flavor! :).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 554.7, Fat 28.8, SaturatedFat 8, Cholesterol 157.9, Sodium 550.7, Carbohydrate 25.4, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 10.3, Protein 33.3
RED-COOKED CHICKEN WITH CHESTNUTS
The combination of tender chicken and sweet chestnuts makes for classic Chinese comfort food.
Provided by Kian Lam Kho
Yield Serves 2
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Put the chicken in a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover the meat completely. Bring the water to a boil and parboil the chicken over medium heat for about 10 minutes, continuously skimming off any scum that forms on the surface. Drain the meat thoroughly.
- Put the chicken, chestnuts, 1½ cups water, wine, both soy sauces, ginger, and sugar in a large clay pot or Dutch oven with a cover. (Alternatively, this dish can be cooked in a slow cooker.) Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and gently simmer the chicken, covered, for 45 minutes or until the meat is tender when pierced with a knife. During that time, replenish the liquid as needed to prevent scorching.
RED-COOKED CHICKEN
Another great recipe compliments of Cuisine at Home. It was suggested as a week-night meal since it so easy to prepare; however, it also makes a nice presentation for a small gathering of friends.
Provided by PaulaG
Categories Chicken Thigh & Leg
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Over high heat, bring the first 8 ingredients to a boil in a large saute pan.
- Add the chicken and cover; reduce heat to medium.
- Simmer for 3o minutes, turn chicken over; cover and continue to cook an additional 10 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
- Boil the braising liquid, uncovered, until syrupy, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Strain through a sieve and spoon off any fat that rises.
- Brush sauce onto chicken to coat; garnish with sliced scallions and serve with extra sauce for dipping.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 167.3, Fat 0.1, Sodium 2393.1, Carbohydrate 20.6, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 12.4, Protein 4.2
RED COOKED CHICKEN
From LHJ, March 1991. Red cooking is a Chinese method of stewing with soy sauce and spices to give a deep red-brown colour.
Provided by TempR
Categories Meat
Time 50m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken; brown 2 to 3 minutes per side; remove.
- Discard fat.
- Whisk in 1 1/2 cups water with next 6 ingredients.
- Add chicken. Cook uncovered, turning occasionally, for 30 minutes.
- Transfer chicken with slotted spoon to platter; cover and keep warm.
- Skim and discard fat from sauce.
- Return skillet to heat; bring to a boil.
- Blend cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water in bowl.
- Add to boiling sauce, whisking until thickened.
- Stir in sesame oil.
- Pour sauce over chicken.
- Garnish with cilantro and green onion and serve with rice.
Tips:
- To make the chicken extra tender, marinate it in a mixture of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to cook the chicken. This will help to prevent the chicken from sticking and burning.
- Cook the chicken over medium heat until it is browned on all sides. This will help to seal in the juices and prevent the chicken from drying out.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pot and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve the chicken with rice or noodles. You can also garnish it with green onions, cilantro, or chili peppers.
Conclusion:
Red-cooked chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With its rich and flavorful sauce, this dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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