Mi Quang is an iconic dish of Central Vietnam, and one that will leave a lasting impression with its hearty broth, springy noodles, tender chicken, and fresh vegetables.
The addition of crispy-baked Central Vietnamese rice crackers sets this dish apart, elevating it to a unique and indulgent culinary experience. Impress your family with the recipe for Mi Quang chicken below, a true taste of Vietnam.
Preparation
10 minutes Cooking
60 minutes Serves
2 people
1 Mi Quang Chicken Ingredients
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500g of chicken
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Mi Quang noodles
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Banana blossom
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Roasted peanuts
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Lettuce and bean sprouts
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Quail eggs
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Spices: garlic, shallots, chili, ginger, fish sauce, sugar, ground pepper, MSG, salt
Mi Quang Chicken Ingredients
2 How to Cook Mi Quang Chicken: A Simple Recipe
Step 1 Prepare the Ingredients
Start by cleaning and deboning the chicken, then cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Keep the meat and bones separate.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces
Peel and mince the garlic, slice the shallots, and crush the chili. Finely cut the ginger into thin strips, and leave the chili whole but crushed for added flavor.
Prepare the aromatics
Boil the quail eggs and peel them once cooked. Lightly crush the roasted peanuts to release their flavor, and wash the lettuce and bean sprouts to ensure they are clean.
For the banana blossom, halve it and cut it into thin slices. Soak these slices in a bowl of iced water with a few lemon slices for about 10 minutes. Rinse and drain the banana blossom to remove any bitter taste.
Step 2 Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, combine the chicken with the minced garlic, sliced shallots, and crushed chili. Add in the fish sauce, a pinch of sugar, ground pepper, MSG, and salt to taste. Mix well and marinate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
Marinate the chicken
Step 3 Cook the Mi Quang
Simmer the chicken bones in a pot for about 20 minutes to create a rich and flavorful broth. This will form the base of your dish.
In a separate pan, heat some cooking oil and add the garlic, frying until golden brown. Then, add the marinated chicken and seal in the juices. Pour in 1 liter of the chicken broth and let it simmer until the chicken is tender. Adjust the seasoning to your taste, and feel free to add a dash of chili oil for a more vibrant color.
Cook the Mi Quang
Step 4 Plating
On a large plate, carefully arrange the lettuce, bean sprouts, quail eggs, chicken, rice crackers, and peanuts. Drizzle a little of the chicken broth over the dish to add moisture, and it’s ready to serve!
Plating the Mi Quang Chicken
Step 5 Enjoy Your Mi Quang Chicken!
To enjoy this dish to the fullest, squeeze some lemon juice over it and add a dash of fish sauce to taste. Crumble the rice crackers into the dish and mix well before digging in!
Mi Quang Chicken: The Final Product
3 Tasting Notes
With its springy noodles, rich broth, tender chicken, and a hint of spice from the chili, Mi Quang is a true delight. One bite will transport you to the vibrant streets of Central Vietnam.
Mi Quang Chicken: A Delicious Dish
4 Tips for Buying Fresh Ingredients
Tips for Buying Fresh Ingredients
Choosing Fresh Chicken
For Live Chicken
Look for a chicken with compact features: a small body, firm flesh, a small breast, straight legs, and active movement. Shiny feathers and a sharp beak are also good indicators.
The skin should be a golden hue, thin, and soft, without any bruising or discoloration. Press gently on the body; it should feel firm, with a deeper yellow shade around the breast, wings, and back.
Chickens treated with coloring agents will have tough, uniformly golden skin, and white fat. You can also check under the wings and armpits for meat and blood vessels, indicating a leaner bird.
Avoid chickens with stiff, scaly legs, damp or ruffled feathers, or an upright head posture. Also, steer clear of any birds showing signs of illness, such as pale combs, purple discoloration, lethargy, or a runny beak.
For Pre-Slaughtered Chicken
Choose a chicken of moderate size, with the characteristic golden skin. The outer skin should be thin and elastic, feeling smooth without any roughness.
Fresh chicken meat will have a natural light to dark pink color and should be free of bruises or blood pooling. Avoid chicken with a slimy texture.
Choosing Fresh Quail Eggs
Always opt for fresh quail eggs. Look for eggs with bright, undamaged shells, free of cracks, and without any foul odor.
To check freshness, hold the eggs up to a light source. Fresh eggs will have a transparent pinkish hue, with the yolk centered. You should also feel a sense of density when shaking them, with no audible movement inside.
Now you’re ready to impress your loved ones with this authentic Mi Quang chicken dish. For more culinary adventures, be sure to explore our other recipes. Happy cooking!
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