✅ I. Ingredient List
Here are the main ingredients needed to make Divine Chicken.
| Category | Ingredient | Quantity | Notes (Emoji & Description) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | Tender Hen/Sanhuang Chicken | 1 (approx. 1250g) | 🐔 Choose a chicken with fine texture, like Sanhuang or native chicken. |
| Tonic Add-ins (Optional) | Red Dates (Jujube) | 10-15 pieces | 🍒 For “Wuyuan/Liuyuan” Divine Chicken, adds sweetness and nutrition. |
| Dried Longan Aril | 10-15 pieces | ||
| Lotus Seeds | 25g | ||
| Goji Berries (Wolfberries) | 15g | ||
| Dried Lychee | 10 pieces | ||
| Braising Auxiliaries | Pork Trotter Chunks / Pork Hock | Some (approx. 200g) | 🐷 Can be placed at pot bottom to enhance freshness, aroma, and add collagen. |
| Ginger Slices | Approx. 10-20g | Peeled and sliced, for removing gaminess and adding aroma. | |
| Water or Stock | As needed | 💧 Adjust based on cooking method; sometimes needs to fully submerge chicken. |
👨🍳 II. Instructions
Making Divine Chicken emphasizes flavor absorption and heat control. Here are the core steps combining various methods.
- 🐔 Prepare the Chicken:
- •Clean the slaughtered chicken thoroughly, remove internal organs and any remaining feathers. Rinse and drain.
- •Some methods involve cutting off the beak tip, claws, lower jaw, and tail end, and breaking the thigh bones to facilitate shaping and flavor penetration.
- 🧂 Marinating (Optional, but recommended):
- •The chicken can be soaked in a basin of water with salt, cooking wine, old ginger, and scallions until flavorful.
- •Another method is to directly pour seasonings like soy sauce and Huadiao wine over the chicken for marination.
- 🍲 Potting and Stewing (Key Step):
- •Line the bottom of a clay pot or earthenware bowl with ginger slices. You can also place pork trotter chunks or chicken feet based on preference.
- •Place the whole chicken in (breast side up or down). If making Wuyuan/Liuyuan Divine Chicken, now add the prepared tonic ingredients (red dates, longan, lotus seeds, etc.) into the bowl around the chicken.
- •Add seasonings like rock sugar and fine salt, and pour in an appropriate amount of water or stock. The liquid may not need to fully cover the chicken as it’s cooked by steaming or braising.
- •Sealing: Seal the mouth of the clay pot or bowl tightly with aluminum foil or white kraft paper. This is key to locking in aroma and moisture.
- •Stewing: Place the sealed container in a steamer for slow steaming over water, or into a preheated oven/on a stove-top for slow stewing over low heat for 2 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender.
- 🔥 Final Steps:
- •Carefully remove the stewed Divine Chicken, break the seal—aroma will burst forth.
- •Some methods sprinkle white pepper powder before serving to enhance fragrance.
- •The chicken can be turned over (back facing up) for a more beautiful presentation before serving.
🌟 III. Seasoning Ratio & Nutrition Info
Precise seasoning ratios are core to the flavor of Divine Chicken. This formula is for a ~1250g chicken, primarily referencing the Wuyuan Divine Chicken seasoning.
| Seasoning | Precise Amount (g) | Notes (Emoji & Description) |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Sugar | 50g | Provides a sweet taste, balances saltiness. |
| Fine Salt | 3-5g | Provides base saltiness; adjust to taste. |
| Huadiao Wine / Cooking Wine | Approx. 15-50g | 🍶 Removes gaminess, adds aroma, enriches flavor layers. |
| White Pepper Powder | 1g | Optional, sprinkled before serving to enhance fragrance. |
💡 Chef’s Tips (TIPS)
- Choosing the Chicken is Key: Prioritize tender hens or Sanhuang chickens with fine texture, as they stew to tenderness more easily.
- Sealing is the Soul: Whether using aluminum foil or kraft paper, sealing tightly is the crucial step to lock in aroma and moisture, making the chicken tender and flavorful. Do not omit this.
- Precise Heat Control is Core: Long hours of slow stewing over low heat or steaming over water are essential for achieving the signature texture of Divine Chicken. Rapid, high heat won’t yield the ideal result.
- Flavor Can Vary: You can choose different flavor profiles according to preference, such as the Shaoxing spicy version, the Tonglu nourishing version, or the Wuyuan sweet version.
- Pair with Vegetables: Serve with some light vegetables to balance the taste.
