✅ I. Ingredient List
Here are the main ingredients needed to make Clear Soup Yue Chicken.
| Category | Ingredient | Quantity | Notes (Emoji & Description) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | Yue Chicken (Tender Hen) | 1 (approx. 1000g) | 🐔 Use Shaoxing specialty Yue chicken for tender meat and crisp bones. |
| Accessories | Green Cabbage Hearts | 50g | Adds color and a fresh taste. |
| Ham | 25g | Adds aroma and flavor. | |
| Winter Bamboo Shoot | 25g | Provides a crisp texture and adds layers. | |
| Dried Shiitake Mushrooms | 10g | 🍄 Soak in advance to bring a rich mushroom aroma. | |
| Cooking Liquid | Water | 2500 ml | 💧 For stewing; needs to cover the chicken. |
👨🍳 II. Instructions
Making Clear Soup Yue Chicken emphasizes the original flavor, and heat control is key. Here are the core steps.
- 🐔 Prepare the Chicken:
- •Slaughter the live tender Yue chicken, remove feathers, wash, then chop off the claws and break the small leg bones (for shaping and flavor absorption).
- •Make a small opening about 3.5 cm from the tail on the back, remove the internal organs, and clean thoroughly.
- •Blanch the chicken in boiling water briefly, then wash off any blood foam to ensure a clear broth.
- 🍲 Stew the Chicken:
- •Take a large clay pot, place a bamboo mat (竹箅子) at the bottom (to prevent sticking and ensure even heating), and put the prepared whole chicken on it.
- •Add 2500 ml of water, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully skim off all the foam.
- •Reduce to low heat and continue to simmer for about 1 hour, until the chicken is thoroughly tender.
- 🍲 Transfer and Season:
- •Remove the cooked chicken and transfer it to a ”pin pot” (a lidded soup pot), then pour in the filtered original broth.
- •Neatly arrange the sliced ham, bamboo shoots, and (pre-soaked) shiitake mushrooms on top of the chicken.
- •Season with fine salt, Shaoxing wine, and MSG.
- 🔥 Steam to Enhance Flavor:
- •Cover the pin pot, place it in a steamer, and steam over high heat for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors of the various accessories to fully integrate into the chicken and soup.
- 🥬 Garnish for Color:
- •Blanch the green cabbage hearts until cooked (add a little salt and oil to the water to maintain emerald green), remove, and place on the stewed chicken before serving.
🌟 III. Seasoning Ratio & Nutrition Info
The seasoning for Clear Soup Yue Chicken aims for simplicity to highlight the natural flavor of the ingredients.
| Seasoning | Precise Amount (g) | Notes (Emoji & Description) |
|---|---|---|
| Shaoxing Wine | 25g | 🍶 Recommended to use Shaoxing wine for removing gaminess and adding aroma. |
| Fine Salt | 2g | Provides basic saltiness. |
| MSG | 3g | Enhances umami; can be adjusted or omitted according to taste. |
💡 Chef’s Tips (TIPS)
- Choosing the Chicken is Key: Prioritize the specialty Yue Chicken (Xiaoshan Chicken) from Shaoxing. Its fine, tender texture and easily crisped bones are the core of this dish’s flavor.
- Tools Matter: Using a clay pot and a bamboo mat (竹箅子) at the bottom helps better preserve the flavor and prevent sticking.
- Skimming Foam is Crucial: Be sure to remove all foam thoroughly at the beginning of stewing; this is the key step to ensuring a clear soup color.Precise Heat Control is Essential: Follow the sequence of simmering over low heat first, then steaming over high heat to achieve chicken that is tender yet retains its shape, with a clear and flavorful broth.
- Enjoy the Original Flavor: The characteristic of Clear Soup Yue Chicken is to drink its clear soup and savor its original taste. It’s recommended to taste the soup first before eating the meat to appreciate its fresh and delicious natural flavor.
