The Comforting Warmth Of Chicken Hot Pot: A Hearty Chinese Stew

Chicken hot pot is a dish that typically consists of chicken, vegetables, and a broth. It is often served in a pot that sits over a portable burner, keeping the dish warm throughout the meal. The dish is thought to have originated in China, where it is known as hot pot soup or nabemono in Japanese. Chicken hot pots are usually loaded with veggies, chicken, and noodles in a warm, savoury broth. The ingredients can be adapted to personal preference, with regional variations including additional ingredients such as tofu, sweet potato, and dumplings.

Chicken hot pot recipes

Chicken hot pot is a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for a cold winter's day. It's a fun and interactive meal that can be easily adapted to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. Here are some mouth-watering chicken hot pot recipes to try:

Chinese Chicken Hot Pot

This flavourful recipe combines boneless, skinless chicken thighs with a variety of vegetables and gluten-free noodles in a warm, savoury broth.

Ingredients:

• Chicken stock
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Boneless chicken thighs
• Bean thread noodles or rice noodles
• Green onions
• Bean sprouts
• Mushrooms

Instructions:

• Bring chicken stock, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic to a boil in a large pot.
• Add the chicken and simmer until cooked through.
• Add the noodles and stir.
• Chop vegetables and place in serving bowls.
• Ladle the hot soup over the vegetables and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.

Creamy Chicken Hotpot

A comforting and indulgent dish, perfect for cold winter nights. This recipe uses coconut milk and butter to create a rich and creamy sauce, with a crispy potato topping.

Ingredients:

• Butter or ghee
• Onion
• Carrots
• Button mushrooms
• Garlic cloves
• GF flour or arrowroot powder
• Chicken bone broth
• Canned unsweetened coconut milk
• Dijon mustard
• Cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
• Frozen green peas
• Yukon potatoes
• Avocado oil or olive oil
• Sea salt
• Ground black pepper

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grease a large baking dish with avocado oil or olive oil.
• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat and saute the onion, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic for 5 minutes.
• In a separate dish, whisk together flour and stock until smooth.
• Pour the stock mixture over the sauteed vegetables and stir in the coconut milk and mustard.
• Add the cooked chicken and frozen peas, stirring to combine.
• Simmer the sauce over low heat until it thickens.
• Transfer the creamy chicken mixture to the baking dish.
• Arrange the potato slices over the sauce and baste with melted butter.
• Season with sea salt and pepper.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden and tender.

Chicken and Mushroom Hot-Pot

A simple and hearty recipe that's perfect for using up leftover cooked chicken. This dish is topped with slices of potato, creating a comforting pie-like meal.

Ingredients:

• Butter or margarine
• Button mushrooms
• Chicken stock cube or fresh chicken stock
• Mustard powder
• Cooked chicken, chopped
• Mixed vegetables (sweetcorn, peas, broccoli, carrots)
• Large potatoes, sliced into rounds

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the onion, cooking for 5 minutes.
• Add the mushrooms and cook until almost done.
• Stir in flour to create a roux.
• If using a stock cube, crumble it into the roux and stir. Cook the roux over low heat for 2 minutes.
• Add the fresh stock or water and season with pepper, nutmeg, and mustard powder.
• Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and add the cooked chicken and vegetables, stirring well.
• Grease an ovenproof pie dish and pour in the chicken and mushroom filling.
• Lay the potato slices on top, overlapping slightly.
• Brush the potatoes with melted butter and cook in the oven for about 35 minutes, until golden brown.

Japanese-Inspired Chicken Hot Pot

This recipe, inspired by Japanese nabemono, involves simmering a pot of broth on the table, with each person serving themselves and adding their choice of accompaniments.

Ingredients:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Kosher salt
• Dark soy sauce
• Lemon juice
• Rice vinegar
• Seasonal vegetables (carrots, parsnips, leafy greens)
• Daikon radish
• Ginger
• Togarashi
• Cooked udon, soba, or somen noodles, or brown rice

Instructions:

• In a large saucepan, cover the chicken with water and bring to a boil. Add salt and simmer gently for 20 minutes.
• In a separate saucepan, bring soy sauce, lemon juice, and vinegar to a simmer.
• Transfer the chicken to a plate and add root vegetables to the broth, cooking until tender.
• Pull the chicken meat into large pieces, discarding the skin and bones. Add to the bowls with the cooked root vegetables.
• Add leafy greens to the broth and cook until wilted, then transfer to the bowls.
• Season each serving with daikon, ginger, togarashi, and ponzu sauce.
• After everyone has finished eating, stir the noodles into the simmering broth and divide among the bowls.

Chicken hot pot ingredients

Chicken hot pot is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. The basic ingredients typically include chicken, vegetables, and a broth or sauce, which are combined and cooked in a pot. Here is a detailed list of ingredients that you can use to make a delicious chicken hot pot:

Chicken

The star of the dish! You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks, depending on your preference. Thinly sliced chicken cooks faster and is easier to eat, especially if you plan to use chopsticks. If you prefer boneless chicken for ease of eating, you can also go for chicken breast or tenderloin.

Broth/Stock

A good broth forms the base of your hot pot. You can use chicken stock or bone broth for a hearty, savoury flavour. For a vegetarian option, vegetable broth is a great alternative. To make your own chicken broth, you can simmer chicken bones with water, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.

Vegetables

A variety of vegetables can be used in a chicken hot pot. Common choices include carrots, mushrooms, onions, garlic, and potatoes. Other options are leafy greens such as spinach, bok choy, or napa cabbage. Don't forget to prepare your veggies by slicing or dicing them to your desired size!

Noodles

Noodles are a popular addition to chicken hot pot, especially in Asian-inspired recipes. Gluten-free bean thread noodles, rice noodles, or udon noodles are excellent choices. If you're not a fan of noodles, you can substitute them with brown rice.

Spices and Condiments

Spices and condiments add flavour and depth to your dish. Ginger, garlic, and chilli are common ingredients in chicken hot pot. You can also include light and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste!

Thickening Agents

To thicken the sauce or broth, you can use flour or arrowroot powder. Create a slurry by mixing the thickening agent with a small amount of water or broth before adding it to the pot. This will ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce.

With these ingredients, you can create a delicious and comforting chicken hot pot. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of vegetables, spices, and condiments to make it your own!

Chicken hot pot cooking instructions

Chicken hot pot is a delicious and comforting meal that can be easily adapted to your taste preferences. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a tasty chicken hot pot:

Ingredients:

• Chicken (bone-in, boneless, or wings)
• Vegetables (e.g. onions, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, leeks, green onions/scallions, potatoes)
• Broth/Stock (chicken or vegetable)
• Seasonings (e.g. salt, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, chili, oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch)
• Optional: Noodles (bean thread, rice, or udon), coconut milk, mustard, butter/ghee, avocado oil/olive oil

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Marinade:

If using boneless chicken, thinly slice the meat. For bone-in chicken, you may want to separate the meat from the bones after cooking. Create a marinade by mixing light soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch. Coat the chicken with the marinade and set it aside for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables:

Heat butter, ghee, or oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add your choice of vegetables, such as onions, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic. Sauté for around 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 3: Make the Sauce:

In a separate dish, whisk together flour or arrowroot powder with chicken broth or stock until smooth. Pour this mixture over the sautéed vegetables. Add in coconut milk, mustard, and any other seasonings you prefer. Stir well to combine.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Vegetables:

Add your cooked chicken and any other desired ingredients, such as frozen peas, into the pot. Stir everything together, ensuring it is well combined. Allow the sauce to simmer over low heat until it begins to thicken.

Step 5: Assemble the Hot Pot:

Transfer the chicken and vegetable mixture into a baking dish. Arrange potato slices over the sauce, basting them with melted butter or ghee. Season with salt and pepper, or your choice of seasonings.

Step 6: Bake and Serve:

Bake in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and golden. If desired, broil for the last minute to crisp up the potatoes. Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.

Feel free to customize your chicken hot pot by adding different vegetables, proteins, or seasonings. Enjoy your hearty and flavorful creation!

Chicken hot pot nutritional information

Chicken hot pot is a hearty dish that can be made in various ways, but typically involves chicken, vegetables, and a broth. It is often served with potatoes and can be made using leftover cooked chicken. Here is a nutritional breakdown of its ingredients:

Chicken

Chicken is a good source of protein and contains essential amino acids that help build and repair muscle tissue. It also provides B vitamins, which contribute to overall health and well-being.

Vegetables

The vegetables in a chicken hot pot can vary but often include carrots, mushrooms, onions, and garlic, all of which are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. For example, carrots are rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, while onions and garlic offer potential health benefits due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Broth

The broth in a chicken hot pot provides flavour and moisture to the dish. It is typically made by simmering chicken with water, creating a nutritious liquid containing proteins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a starchy vegetable that provides carbohydrates for energy. They are also a good source of potassium, fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.

Additional Ingredients

Some recipes for chicken hot pot include additional ingredients such as butter or margarine, flour, coconut milk, and dijon mustard. These ingredients contribute to the flavour and texture of the dish but may also add extra calories and fat.

Overall, chicken hot pot can be a nutritious and well-balanced meal, offering protein, carbohydrates, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. However, it is important to note that the specific nutritional content can vary depending on the ingredients used and the proportions of those ingredients.

Chicken hot pot history

The history of the hot pot can be traced back to the tripods of the Zhou dynasty, where diners among the nobility had personal pots made of bronze, called ran lu. The main component of these was a small stove with a small pot above burning charcoal. The hot pot was then developed using copper during the Three Kingdoms period (200–280 AD), which is generally acknowledged as the origin of the dish.

During the Qing dynasty, the hot pot became popular among the emperors. The Qianlong Emperor, in particular, was very fond of hot pot and would eat it at almost every meal. The Jiaqing Emperor followed suit, hosting a banquet with 1,550 hot pots at his coronation. The Empress Dowager Cixi was also known to have enjoyed hot pot, especially during the winter.

Since the 1990s, with the significant growth in Chinese immigration to the United States, Chinese cuisine has spread to the West, and hot pot has become globally recognised.

In terms of the history of chicken hot pot specifically, chicken is now a common ingredient in hot pots, with many hot pot soup bases using stock made with chicken. However, it is not clear from the sources exactly when chicken became a popular ingredient in hot pots.

Frequently asked questions