Boiling or chilling: A foolproof method for delicious and visually appealing boiled chicken for the Lunar New Year’s Day.
Using the following boiled chicken recipe, you will have a delicious and visually appealing boiled chicken to offer during the Full Moon Festival in January.
After washing the chicken with salt, you should use a towel to dry the chicken and shape it before boiling. When boiling, you can add pounded ginger, roasted ginger, or lime leaves, onions… to enhance the flavor. When boiling, the water must cover the chicken, boil on high heat for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to low for 20 minutes, so the chicken skin will not shrink and crack.
Besides, to keep the chicken skin firm and not change color, after the chicken is cooked, turn off the stove, let the chicken cool in the pot for 5 minutes, then scoop it out and dip it in boiling water to cool. To make the chicken skin shiny and golden, you can mix chicken fat with a little turmeric juice, spread a thin layer over the entire surface of the chicken.
How to shape the chicken beautifully and simply
The squat pose is the simplest and most popular way to tie the chicken. The ritual chicken will look more natural and you can clearly see the full head, wings, and legs if tied in this way. When placing the chicken on the tray, it will also look bigger and more eye-catching.
You bend the two chicken legs back by gently bending them at the two joint parts of the chicken’s legs. Then, use a string to tie it securely so that the squatting pose looks natural. Keep the chicken’s head straight and close the wings to both sides, adjust them to be balanced, and you have completed shaping the squatting chicken.
In addition, one of the tricks to make your ritual chicken golden, crispy, and fragrant without being shattered is to use a bit of fresh turmeric juice and apply it to the entire chicken skin when boiling. When you do this step after boiling the chicken, you will see the beautiful and golden skin. At the same time, to make the skin crispy and fragrant when the chicken is cooked, you should put it in a basin of ice water, which will help the chicken skin remain crispy and fragrant when chopping and not be shattered. It will definitely be delicious and everyone will enjoy it. Don’t miss out on how to cook delicious ritual chicken Ram!
Frequently asked questions
Start with fresh, high-quality chicken. Bring a pot of water to a gentle boil and add ginger, scallions, and salt to taste. Carefully lower the chicken into the boiling water and cook for 10-12 minutes. Prepare an ice bath and shock the chicken to stop the cooking process and tighten the skin. For a foolproof method, chill the chicken overnight and then boil it the next day for a beautiful, tender result.
Chilling the chicken helps to tighten the skin, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing presentation. It also improves the texture and tenderness of the meat, ensuring a juicy and delicious final product.
You will need fresh chicken, preferably a whole chicken or chicken legs/thighs. Other ingredients include ginger, scallions, and salt. You can also add additional aromatics like garlic, bay leaves, or peppercorns for extra flavor.
Boil the chicken for 10-12 minutes for legs/thighs or 12-15 minutes for a whole chicken. Ensure that the water is gently boiling, not at a rapid boil, to avoid overcooking the chicken.
Rinse the chicken under cold running water and pat it dry with paper towels. Trimming any excess fat or skin can help reduce the risk of the broth tasting greasy. You can also marinate the chicken with soy sauce, honey, or other seasonings for added flavor, although this is optional.
Many people believe that to boil a chicken, all you need is salt and lukewarm water. However, this is not actually the most effective way to boil a chicken.
Boiled chicken is a popular dish in Vietnam. However, when boiling chicken, just mastering this trick will help the dish become more delicious, crispy, and not crack.