Chicken is not only a delicious and versatile protein, but it’s also a great source of lean, high-quality protein that promotes muscle growth and weight loss, and prevents arthritis. Apart from popular dishes like fried chicken with fish sauce, salted chicken, chicken hot pot with é leaves, chicken braised in lemongrass and chili, chicken curry, chicken congee, and honey-glazed grilled chicken, here’s a simple recipe for steamed chicken with salt crystals.
1. Ingredients for Steamed Chicken with Salt Crystals
– Chicken: 1 whole chicken
– Shallots, chili peppers, lime
– Lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves
– Onion
– Banana leaves
– Spices: Salt crystals, cooking oil, fish sauce, turmeric powder, seasoning powder, oyster sauce, sugar
2. How to Make Steamed Chicken with Salt Crystals
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
– Clean the chicken thoroughly. Rub salt crystals on the skin to remove any unpleasant odor and reduce sliminess. Then, rinse the chicken with clean water and set it aside to dry.
– Cut off the root end of the lemongrass and wash it clean. Pound the lemongrass lightly and cut it into long sections.
– Peel the onion and wash it. Cut it into thin rounds.
– Peel the shallots and wash them. Finely chop two shallots and slice the remaining two.
– Remove the stem of the chili peppers and wash them. Finely chop the chili peppers.
– Wash the kaffir lime leaves, pat them dry, and cut them into thin strips.
– Wash the banana leaves and pat them dry.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
– In a clean bowl, mix sugar, turmeric powder, fish sauce, oyster sauce, finely chopped shallots, and chili peppers.
– Use a spoon or chopsticks to mix the ingredients well.
– Rub the mixture all over the chicken and let it marinate for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Step 3: Steam the Chicken
– Line the bottom of a steamer with banana leaves and spread a layer of salt crystals on top.
– Add the onion slices, lemongrass sections, and marinated chicken.
– Sprinkle the kaffir lime leaves and onion slices on top of the chicken.
– Place the steamer on the stove, cover with a lid, and steam for about 30 minutes over medium heat.
– Once cooked, remove the chicken from the steamer and place it on a plate. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and garnish with kaffir lime leaves.
The steamed chicken with salt crystals will have an inviting color and aroma. When eating, you’ll not only enjoy the tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken but also the distinctive fragrance of lemongrass. This dish is best enjoyed with a dip made of salt, pepper, and lime juice.
3. Notes when Making Steamed Chicken with Salt Crystals
– When buying chicken, choose ones with moderate size, light yellow skin that is thin and smooth, and has good elasticity. The best chickens have a small, compact body and a narrow, firm breast.
– To eliminate the odor of chicken, you can use vinegar or lime juice mixed with a little salt crystal and rub it on the surface of the chicken.
– Although chicken is tasty and nutritious, people with open wounds or certain health conditions such as gallstones, liver cirrhosis, arthritis, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular diseases should avoid eating it to prevent any adverse effects on their health.