Food & Receipts

“A Delicious and Nutritious Twist: Chicken Stewed with Five Fruits”

Have you ever heard of the delicious and nutritious dish, Herbed Chicken with Five Fruits? If not, then you're in for a treat! This unique and flavorful dish is a true delight and we're here to take you on a culinary journey to uncover its secrets. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and immerse yourself in a world of culinary delights as we explore the art of preparing this extraordinary dish.

Administrator

14 July, 2024

Preparation
30 minutes Cooking
45 minutes Serves
2 – 3 people

Braised chicken with five fruits, or “gà tiềm ngũ quả” in Vietnamese, is a delicious and nutritious dish. In today’s article, we will guide you through the process of making this flavorful and healthy meal.

1 Ingredients for Braised Chicken with Five Fruits

1 whole chicken, cleaned
Chicken giblets (liver and gizzard)
40g ginger
20g garlic
3-4 chili peppers, to taste
Five fruits and vegetables: Chinese yam, lotus root, bamboo shoots, carrots, and corn
1 coconut
Seasonings: salt, sugar, fish sauce, pepper, and MSG (optional)

Ingredients for Braised Chicken with Five Fruits

2 Cooking Instructions

Step 1 Prepare the Ingredients

Wash and soak the fruits and vegetables in warm water, then set them aside to dry. Finely chop or mince the garlic and shallots, and cut the chili peppers into small pieces.

Clean the chicken thoroughly, plucking any remaining feathers. Blanch the giblets in boiling water, then set them aside to cool.

Prepared Ingredients

Step 2 Marinate the Fruits, Vegetables, and Giblets

Marinating the Fruits, Vegetables, and Giblets

In a large bowl or container, combine the fruits, vegetables, and giblets. Add ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of MSG, and 1 teaspoon of fish sauce. Mix well and let it marinate for about 15 minutes.

Step 3 Marinate the Chicken

Marinating the Chicken

To make the chicken marinade, combine the minced garlic, shallots, and chili peppers in a bowl. Add ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of MSG, ½ teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 4 teaspoons of fish sauce. Mix well.

Rub the marinade all over the outside of the chicken. Once the exterior is coated, stuff half of the prepared fruits and vegetables into the cavity of the chicken.

Step 4 Braise the Chicken

Braising the Chicken

Heat a pot over medium heat and add 50ml of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and shallots, frying until fragrant and golden. Place the chicken in the pot and stir until the meat is browned. Then, pour in the coconut water and 500ml of filtered water. Simmer the chicken for 20-30 minutes until it is cooked through.

Step 5 Finalize the Dish

Final Dish: Braised Chicken with Five Fruits

When the chicken is almost done cooking, add the remaining fruits and vegetables to the pot. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, or until the ingredients are tender. Then, turn off the heat, and your delicious and nutritious meal is ready to be served!

3 Serving Suggestions

Serving Suggestion

Braised chicken with five fruits is a delicious and nutritious dish that your family is sure to love. The tender chicken, infused with the flavors of the fruits and vegetables, creates a mouthwatering combination. Don’t hesitate to try out this recipe and impress your loved ones with a healthy and tasty meal.

We hope that you found this recipe helpful and that you will be able to recreate this delicious dish for your family and friends. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your loved ones!

Frequently asked questions

The recipe is a unique and tasty take on a traditional chicken stew, featuring a blend of five fruits – apples, pears, plums, apricots, and prunes – along with a variety of spices and herbs. The chicken is first marinated in a mixture of fruit juice, soy sauce, and honey, then slowly cooked with the fruits, onions, and a host of spices including cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. It’s a hearty and healthy dish, perfect for a cozy winter meal.

This dish is packed with nutrients thanks to the combination of fruits, spices, and of course, the chicken. The fruits provide a good source of vitamins and fiber, while the chicken is a lean protein source. The spices used also offer various health benefits; cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar, cloves have antimicrobial properties, and ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory effects.

Marinating the chicken in a mixture of fruit juice, soy sauce, and honey adds a depth of flavor to the dish. The fruit juices provide a natural sweetness, while the soy sauce contributes a savory, umami taste. Honey, with its distinct flavor and aroma, further enhances the marinade. This process also helps to tenderize the meat, ensuring the chicken is juicy and flavorful after cooking.

It’s important to choose ripe, fresh fruits for the best flavor. If using dried fruits, soak them in water or fruit juice to rehydrate before adding them to the stew. Cut the fruits into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. For apples and pears, peeling is optional, but it can help create a smoother, more uniform texture in the final dish.

You can certainly customize this recipe to your taste preferences or dietary needs. For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with tofu or chickpeas. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of fruits – try adding peaches, nectarines, or even dried cranberries. Spices like nutmeg, allspice, or a pinch of red pepper flakes can also be added for an extra kick.