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“Boil Chicken in Plain Water? Try This Instead for Tender, Flavorful Meat”

10 September, 2024

How to Boil a Delicious and Flavorful Chicken with Scallions and Ginger

Detailed cooking instructions:

Step 1: Choose a fresh or frozen chicken. After cleaning and preparing the chicken, rinse it thoroughly and let it air dry. Ensure you also clean the scallions and ginger, and then finely chop the scallions.

Step 2: Place the chicken in a pot and rub cooking wine all over it. Stuff its cavity with some chopped scallions and julienned ginger. Sprinkle the remaining chopped scallions and ginger on the chicken, and marinate for 30 minutes to eliminate any fishy odor and allow the chicken to absorb the flavors.

Chicken being rubbed with cooking wine and stuffed with scallions and ginger — Rub the chicken with cooking wine and stuff its cavity.

Step 3: Boil water in the pot and briefly dip the chicken into it for 10 seconds, then immediately remove it. Repeat this process three times to firm up the meat.

Step 4: After the third dip, leave the chicken in the pot. Add the remaining scallions, ginger, salt, cooking wine, and gardenia fruit (for a yellow hue). Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, then turn off the heat and let the chicken steep for another 15 minutes. Use chopsticks to check if the chicken is cooked; if no red liquid comes out, it’s ready.

Step 5: Once cooked, remove the chicken and immediately plunge it into a basin of iced water for 3 minutes. This temperature change will tighten the skin and enhance the flavor. Once cooled, remove the chicken, drain the excess water, cut it into small pieces, plate, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Choose a fresh chicken: Opt for a free-range or farm-raised chicken to ensure the meat is firm, sweet, and not mushy. Make sure the chicken is fresh and shows no signs of spoilage or a foul smell.
Marinate the chicken before boiling: About 15-20 minutes before boiling, rub some salt and crushed ginger on the chicken’s surface to eliminate any fishy odor and add flavor.

Rubbing salt and ginger on the chicken surface — Rub salt and ginger on the chicken before boiling.

Boil the chicken in cold water: Place the chicken in a pot and cover it with cold water before turning on the heat. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly from the outside in.
Don’t cover the pot tightly: Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Leave the pot uncovered to let the steam escape, preventing the chicken meat from becoming tough.
Add spices to the boiling water: For extra flavor and to eliminate any fishy odor, add a few slices of ginger, shallots, and a pinch of salt to the pot.
Pay attention to cooking time: The boiling time will depend on the size of the chicken, usually around 30-40 minutes. Check if the chicken is cooked by piercing the thigh with a pair of chopsticks; if no red liquid comes out, it’s done.
Plunge the chicken into cold water after boiling: Once cooked, immediately immerse the chicken in cold water for a few minutes to ensure crispy skin, firm meat, and moisture retention.

With these tips, you’ll end up with a delicious boiled chicken that’s tender, flavorful, and free from any fishy odor.

Frequently asked questions

Boiling chicken in plain water can result in dry, bland, and flavorless meat. The high heat of boiling can also cause the chicken to become tough and rubbery. This is because the proteins in the meat contract at high temperatures, forcing out moisture and resulting in a dry texture.

A better alternative is to simmer the chicken gently in a flavorful liquid such as broth or stock. This method helps keep the chicken moist and tender while infusing it with additional flavor. Simmering also ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and gently, resulting in a more juicy and delicious final product.

Using broth or stock adds depth of flavor to the chicken. It also contains additional nutrients and minerals that can enhance the nutritional profile of the dish. Furthermore, the extra moisture helps to keep the chicken from drying out, ensuring a more succulent and tender texture.

Absolutely! While broth or stock is ideal, you can still create a flavorful dish with plain water by adding herbs, spices, and aromatic vegetables to the water. This way, you can infuse the chicken with additional flavors and create a tasty dish even without the use of broth or stock.

Some great options include garlic, onion, thyme, rosemary, sage, paprika, and black pepper. These ingredients add depth of flavor and can enhance the natural taste of the chicken. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite blend.