Chinese Scallion Chicken

Introduction:
Chinese Scallion Chicken is a flavorful dish featuring tender poached chicken smothered in a savory scallion-ginger sauce. This recipe captures the essence of Chinese home-style cooking with its simplicity, yet it’s packed with umami and aromatic flavors. Serve it over rice for a light yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for any day of the week.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Light and flavorful: The poached chicken is moist and tender, complemented by a savory scallion sauce.
• Healthy and simple: A dish that’s light yet satisfying with minimal ingredients.
• Authentic taste: Captures the essence of traditional Chinese cooking with fresh ginger and scallions.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs), cleaned and patted dry
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 4-5 scallions, whole
• 4 cups water (or enough to cover the chicken)

For the Scallion-Ginger Sauce:

• 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions (white and green parts)
• 2 tablespoons finely minced ginger
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   • Rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon of salt, including the cavity, and let it sit for 10 minutes.
   • Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry.
2. Poach the Chicken:
   • In a large pot, add the whole chicken, ginger slices, scallions, and enough water to fully submerge the chicken.
   • Bring the water to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let the chicken poach for about 35-40 minutes, or until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C).
   • Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting into serving pieces.
3. Make the Scallion-Ginger Sauce:
   • Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat until it’s hot but not smoking.
   • In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped scallions and minced ginger. Carefully pour the hot oil over the mixture, allowing it to sizzle.
   • Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt to taste.
4. Serve the Chicken:
   • Cut the chicken into pieces and arrange on a serving platter. Drizzle the scallion-ginger sauce over the chicken or serve on the side.
   • Garnish with extra chopped scallions if desired. Enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Perfect Poaching: Keep the water at a gentle simmer to ensure the chicken stays tender and moist.
• Sauce Heat: Be careful when pouring hot oil over the scallions and ginger—it should sizzle immediately, releasing their flavors.
• Customize Flavor: Add a little chili oil to the sauce for a spicy kick.

Recipe Variations:

• Spicy Scallion Chicken: Add chili oil or fresh red chilies to the scallion-ginger sauce for some heat.
• Herb Variation: Add cilantro or Chinese parsley for a different aromatic touch.
• Steamed Version: Steam the chicken instead of poaching for a slightly different texture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve with steamed jasmine rice, sautéed greens, or stir-fried vegetables.
• Pair with a simple soy sauce dip for extra flavor.

Freezing and Storage:

• Storage: Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the poached chicken (without the sauce) for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat when ready to serve.
• Reheating: Reheat the chicken gently in a steamer or microwave to maintain its tenderness.

Special Equipment:

• Large Pot: A large stockpot is ideal for poaching the whole chicken.
• Heatproof Bowl: For mixing the scallion-ginger sauce when pouring the hot oil.

FAQ:

• Can I use chicken thighs or breasts instead of a whole chicken? Yes, boneless chicken thighs or breasts can be used, but the cooking time will be shorter—about 15-20 minutes depending on the cut.
• Can I prepare the scallion-ginger sauce in advance? Yes, the sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir before serving.

Preparation Time:

• 10 minutes for prepping the chicken and ingredients.

Cook Time:

• 40 minutes for poaching the chicken and making the sauce.

Total Time:

• 50 minutes (including prep and cook time).

Nutrition Information (per serving, assuming 6 servings):

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Fat: 21g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 100mg
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0g

Chinese Scallion Chicken

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• Author: Adriel
• Total Time: 50 minutes

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Ingredients

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• 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs), cleaned and patted dry
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 4–5 scallions, whole
• 4 cups water (or enough to cover the chicken)

For the Scallion-Ginger Sauce:

• 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions (white and green parts)
• 2 tablespoons finely minced ginger
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

• Prepare the Chicken:
  • Rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon of salt, including the cavity, and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  • Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry.
• Poach the Chicken:
  • In a large pot, add the whole chicken, ginger slices, scallions, and enough water to fully submerge the chicken.
  • Bring the water to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let the chicken poach for about 35-40 minutes, or until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C).
  • Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting into serving pieces.
• Make the Scallion-Ginger Sauce:
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat until it’s hot but not smoking.
  • In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped scallions and minced ginger. Carefully pour the hot oil over the mixture, allowing it to sizzle.
  • Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt to taste.
• Serve the Chicken:
  • Cut the chicken into pieces and arrange on a serving platter. Drizzle the scallion-ginger sauce over the chicken or serve on the side.
  • Garnish with extra chopped scallions if desired. Enjoy!

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6 servings
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Fat: 21g
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Protein: 30g

Closing Notes:
Have you tried this Chinese Scallion Chicken recipe? We’d love to hear your feedback! Share your culinary creations in the comments, and don’t forget to tag us on social media with your beautiful dishes. Stay tuned for more authentic and easy-to-follow Chinese recipes!