“The Secret to Perfectly Golden and Tender Boiled Chicken”

You should never boil chicken in plain water as it results in unevenly cooked meat and a loss of natural sweetness.

22 October, 2024

How to Boil Chicken to Perfection: A Delicious and Flavorful Recipe with Ginger and Scallions

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare a fresh or frozen chicken. After cleaning and trimming, rinse the chicken and pat it dry. Clean the scallions and ginger, then finely chop the scallions.

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

Rub the chicken with cooking wine and stuff with chopped scallions and ginger.

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

Step 4: After the final dip, leave the chicken in the pot. Add the scallions, julienned ginger, salt, cooking wine, and gardenia fruit to impart a yellow color to the chicken. Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, then turn off the heat and let the chicken steep in the pot for an additional 15 minutes. Use chopsticks to check; if there is no red liquid inside, the chicken is cooked.

Step 5: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and immediately immerse it in a bowl of iced water for 3 minutes. This temperature change tightens the skin and enhances the flavor. Once cooled, remove the chicken from the ice bath, pat it dry, cut it into small pieces, plate, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips for Boiling Perfect Chicken

To ensure a delicious boiled chicken dish, consider the following tips:

Choose Fresh Chicken: Opt for free-range or farm-raised chickens to ensure firmer and sweeter meat that doesn’t fall apart. The chicken should be fresh, with no unpleasant odors or signs of spoilage.

Marinate the Chicken Before Boiling: Before boiling, rub the chicken’s surface with a mixture of salt and crushed ginger, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This step helps eliminate any fishy smell and enhances the flavor of the chicken.

Boil Chicken in Cold Water: Place the chicken in a pot and cover it with cold water before turning on the heat. Starting with cold water ensures that the chicken cooks evenly from the outside in.

Using cold water helps the chicken cook evenly and maintains moisture.

Don’t Cover the Pot Tightly: Once the water boils, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Avoid tightly covering the pot to allow steam to escape, as this prevents the chicken meat from becoming tough.

Add Spices to the Boiling Water: To enhance the flavor and eliminate any fishy odor, add a few slices of ginger, shallots, and a pinch of salt to the pot of boiling water.

Pay Attention to Cooking Time: The boiling time depends on the size of the chicken, typically ranging from 30-40 minutes. To check for doneness, pierce the thickest part of the thigh with a skewer; if the juices run clear, the chicken is cooked.

Immerse the Chicken in Cold Water After Boiling: Once the chicken is cooked, immediately plunge it into cold water for a few minutes. This step tightens the skin, keeps the meat firm, and prevents dryness.

By following these tips, you’ll end up with perfectly boiled chicken that’s tender, flavorful, and free from any fishy odor.