Steaming Herbal Chicken: A Healthy, Delicious Comfort Dish

Steamed herbal chicken is a traditional Chinese dish that is both healthy and flavorful. The dish is prepared by marinating chicken in a variety of Chinese medicinal herbs, such as dang gui (angelica root), red dates, and goji berries, and then steaming it. This cooking method ensures that the chicken is moist and tender, and allows the herbs to infuse their flavors and nutrients into the meat. The dish is simple to make and can be paired with sides such as rice, pumpkin, or stir-fried vegetables.

Characteristics of Steam Herbal Chicken

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, prepare the chicken by removing any unwanted fat and giving it a quick rinse. You can use a whole chicken cut into pieces, or opt for chicken drumsticks, thighs, or legs. It is recommended to use chicken with bone-in parts as they tend to have better flavour and texture.

Next, prepare the marinade. In a bowl, combine light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine or Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, sugar (optional), salt (optional), and ground white pepper. Mix these ingredients well. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to your taste preferences.

Now, it's time to marinate the chicken. Place the chicken pieces in a steaming-proof dish and pour the marinade over them. Ensure that the chicken pieces are well-coated. Cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator. The chicken should be left to marinate for at least an hour, but the longer it sits, the more intense the flavour will be. For best results, aim for 2 hours of marination time.

Once the chicken has finished marinating, it is ready to be steamed. However, before steaming, you can add additional ingredients to the dish for extra flavour. Scatter thinly sliced ginger, bruised garlic cloves, and your choice of Chinese herbs, such as angelica root (dang gui), red dates (hong zao), goji berries (gou qi), and codonopsis root (dang shen). You can also add rehydrated shiitake mushrooms for an extra boost of flavour and texture.

By following these steps, you will have successfully marinated your chicken, ready to be steamed and enjoyed as a delicious and healthy meal.

Preparing the herbs

Firstly, gather your herbs. The specific herbs used can vary, but common choices include Chinese angelica (dang gui), yu zhu (Solomon's seal), red dates (hong zao), goji berries (gou qi), and codonopsis root (dang shen). These herbs can be purchased at Chinese herbal shops or in the Chinese herb aisle of Asian markets. If you cannot find them locally, they can also be ordered online.

Once you have your herbs, it is important to clean and prepare them properly. Start by rinsing the herbs gently under cool water to remove any dirt or impurities. If using dried herbs, you may need to rehydrate them before use. To do this, simply soak them in warm water for a few minutes until they are softened. Larger herbs, such as shiitake mushrooms, can be sliced thinly, while smaller herbs like goji berries can be left whole.

After preparing the individual herbs, it is time to create your herbal mixture. Combine the herbs in a bowl, taking care to mix them evenly so that the flavours and aromas blend well together. The specific proportions of each herb can be adjusted to your taste, but typically, dang gui is the most dominant herb in this dish due to its strong fragrance and medicinal properties.

Finally, when you are ready to cook the chicken, you will add the herbal mixture. Place the chicken on a sheet of aluminium foil or parchment paper, and then scatter the herbs on and around it. You can also add other ingredients like garlic and ginger to enhance the flavour. Wrap the chicken tightly to contain the herbal flavours and seal in the juices, then proceed with steaming according to your preferred recipe.

Cooking methods and tools

To cook steamed herbal chicken, you will need a wok or a steamer basket and saucepan to steam the chicken in. You will also need a heat-proof plate or bowl, and a large baking sheet or aluminium foil.

Firstly, you will need to prepare the chicken. If you are using a whole chicken, cut it into pieces. You can use chicken drumsticks, thighs, or wings, but it is recommended to use a medium-sized chicken so that the meat can absorb all the flavours of the herbs. Rub the chicken with coarse salt to remove the dead skin and then rinse it thoroughly. You can then marinate the chicken with a mix of light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine or Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, sugar, ground white pepper, and ginger. Leave the chicken to marinate for at least an hour, but the longer the better—up to 2 hours.

Next, prepare your steamer by filling it with enough water to steam. Place the chicken on a sheet of aluminium foil or a large baking sheet. If using a wok, add a teaspoon of sesame oil to the wok and fry the ginger pieces until golden. Add your mix of herbs—such as dang gui (angelica root), red dates, wolfberries or goji berries, shiitake mushrooms, and codonopsis root—along with a couple of tablespoons of hot water. Stir well for a few minutes, then remove from the wok.

Place the chicken on the foil or sheet, adding the herbs and cooking wine on top. Fold the ends of the foil or sheet together to seal and create a parcel. This will help to retain heat and pack in more flavour.

Finally, steam the chicken parcel for 45 minutes to 1 hour on medium-high heat. Check on the water occasionally and top up with boiling water if it dries up.

Your steamed herbal chicken is now ready to eat! Serve with white rice or on its own.

Health benefits of the dish

Steamed herbal chicken is a traditional Chinese dish that combines the delicate flavours of chicken with the aroma of herbs, most notably dang gui (Chinese angelica root). The dish is not only delicious but also offers a range of health benefits due to the medicinal properties of the herbs used.

The key ingredient, dang gui, has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine due to its potential health benefits. It is known for its ability to nourish and invigorate the blood, making it particularly beneficial for women's health during menstruation and menopause. Dang gui also helps address conditions related to blood deficiency or stagnation and counters general weakness and lethargy.

Other herbs commonly used in steamed herbal chicken include Yu Zhu (Soloman's seal), hong zao (red dates), gei qi (Chinese wolfberry), and dang shen (Codonopsis root). These herbs work together to boost energy levels, aid in stomach discomfort, and regulate blood.

The method of steaming the chicken also contributes to the health benefits of the dish. Steaming is one of the healthiest cooking methods as it requires no additional fat, preserving the natural flavours of the ingredients. This moist-heat cooking method cooks food relatively quickly without leeching off its nutrients, ensuring that the steamed herbal chicken is packed with essential nutrients.

Overall, steamed herbal chicken is a comforting and nourishing dish that can help improve your health and well-being. It is a simple yet flavourful dish that combines the benefits of Chinese herbal medicine with the tender and juicy texture of steamed chicken.

Serving suggestions

Steamed herbal chicken is a delicious and healthy dish packed with nutrients and Chinese medicinal herbs. It is a simple dish to prepare and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of this tasty and nutritious meal:

White Rice or Pumpkin

As a main course, steamed herbal chicken goes well with a side of fluffy white rice or pumpkin. The rice complements the chicken and provides a balanced meal, especially if you are serving a family.

Tofu, Vegetables, and Eggs

For a nutritious and vegetarian-friendly meal, pair the chicken with chilled tofu, stir-fried vegetables, or steamed eggs. These sides will enhance the flavour of the chicken without overpowering its delicate taste.

Chicken Rice

In Southeast Asian countries, steamed chicken is often served with chicken rice. This combination is popular and provides a tasty and satisfying meal.

Porridge

If you have leftovers, shred the chicken and make a porridge! This is a quick and easy way to use up any extra chicken and create a comforting meal.

Soup

Chinese herbs used in the steamed herbal chicken dish are commonly prepared as soup. The juices from the steamed chicken can be used as a soup base, creating a nourishing and flavourful broth.

Salad

Create a refreshing and light meal by serving the steamed herbal chicken on a bed of greens with your choice of vegetables. A simple vinaigrette or light dressing will complement the dish without overwhelming the flavours of the chicken.

With these serving suggestions, you can enjoy the delicious and healthy steamed herbal chicken in a variety of ways, ensuring that you get the full benefits of the Chinese medicinal herbs and nutrients in each meal.

Frequently asked questions