Steamed Herbal Chicken

Comfort Food For The Body And Soul

Feeling burned out physically and mentally? Fighting a cold? Have insufficient sleep? Having the good old Steamed Herbal Chicken is a great way of nourishing your body. A dish that is favoured by the young and old, the Steamed Herbal Chicken is both healthy and extremely flavorful. The Steamed Herbal Chicken is a traditional Chinese recipe and in Chinese cooking, each and every ingredient often is included for a purpose.

The Chinese medicinal herbs in this dish - the Yu Zhu and Dang Gui - are known to boost energy, aid in stomach discomfort and regulate blood. When these herbs are left to simmer in the soup, natural substances are extracted to help regulate and improve bodily functions. If you are not familiar with Chinese homeopathy, this is a great way to learn how to incorporate Chinese herbs into your soups for numerous health benefits. There are a number of dishes in Asian cuisine that use the health benefits of these herbs in cooking.

The Steamed Herbal Chicken is packed with nutrients and is deliciously tender as it is cooked completely by steaming. Steaming uses a moist-heat cooking method; cooking most foods relatively quickly without leeching off its nutrients. Compared to other conventional cooking methods, steaming eliminates the use of other fats such as butter and oil to allow you the experience of the food’s natural and unique flavors.

To reap the full health benefits of this nourishing and traditional dish, it is important to understand the process that goes behind cooking it over a period of time. The Steamed Herbal Chicken looks complicated from the get-go but it only takes about an hour to prepare and a couple more to achieve that soft texture of chicken meat.

For a nourishing family dinner packed with goodness, try our Steamed Herbal Chicken recipe!

Frequently-Asked Questions About Steamed Herbal Chicken

Making the Steamed Herbal Chicken does not have to be a daunting task, it can be really easy to make with our simple but foolproof recipe.

What can I pair with the Steamed Herbal Chicken?

The Steamed Herbal Chicken is just as good on its own, but you can cook some pumpkin or white rice to accompany it as a full meal. Other good side dishes that complement the chicken include some stir-fried vegetables, chilled tofu or steamed eggs.

How can I use the leftovers from the Steamed Herbal Chicken?

If you are unable to finish the Steamed Herbal Chicken, do not worry! There are many ways you can make use of the leftovers to make new dishes. For a quick dinner recipe, you could shred the chicken and make it into a porridge!

Can I use chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken for the recipe?

Yes! If a whole chicken is too much for you, chicken thighs do the trick as well. In fact, you can use any part of the chicken for the recipe, but a whole chicken is recommended if you are cooking for the family.

Tips & Tricks For A Nutritious And Flavorful Steamed Herbal Chicken

The Steamed Herbal Chicken is a relatively simple recipe, but here are some of our best tips and tricks to perfecting the soft texture of the chicken and getting the flavor right.

1. Make sure your chicken is of the right size: Chicken thighs are perfectly acceptable for the recipe. However, be sure to purchase a medium-sized chicken so that the meat is able to absorb all the nutrients and flavors of the herbs used. A chicken that is too large may not be able to reflect all the flavors of the herbs in the recipe.
2. Prepare the chicken: Before you steam the chicken, rubbing it with coarse salt will aid in removing the dead yellowish skin from the crevices of the chicken. Wash the chicken thoroughly to prevent the dish from becoming too salty. You can marinate the chicken with some light soy sauce for enhanced flavor. Wrap the chicken tightly so that all of your herbal flavors will be contained well.
3. Buy the required Chinese herbs: If you are using Chinese herbs for the first time, you can purchase pre-packed herbs for ease and convenience. Buying the Chinese herbs individually can be much more cost-effective.
4. Use boiling water for the steaming: During the steaming process, you may need to top up the water if it gets dry. Always top up with boiling water to ensure there is no change in temperature. This keeps the cooking process consistent.