Soy Sauce Chicken

Posted by Chantel M. Recipe contribution by By Rhonda Parkinson, About.com Guide

This recipe for Soy Sauce Chicken is an example of red cooking, whereby meat or poultry is simmered in a soy sauce-based liquid with seasonings. Chicken cooked this way is very juicy, with the meat coming easily off the bone. The rich sauce can be used again the next time you prepare soy sauce chicken or other red-cooked dishes; just add more soy sauce and/or spices as needed. Over time, the sauce becomes even richer, with a fuller flavor.

Star anise and Szechuan peppercorn can be purchased at Asian markets, or you can substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons five-spice powder and black peppercorns.

More Chinese Chicken Recipes

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 to 3 1/2 pound chicken
• Sauce:
• 1 cup light soy sauce
• 1 cup dark soy sauce
• 1/2 cup Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
• 1/2 cup brown sugar or 1/3 cup Chinese rock sugar
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 3 whole star anise
• 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorn, roasted (see recipe directions for link to roasting peppercorn)
• 1 thick slice fresh ginger, smashed
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cups water

Preparation:

1. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a pot large enough to hold the chicken (I use an 8-quart pot) combine the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, sugar, fennel seeds, star anise, roasted Szechuan peppercorn, ginger, cinnamon stick and the water. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the chicken, breast side down. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover and cook the chicken for 45 minutes, turning over once or twice and making sure it cooks for an even amount of time on both sides. Baste the chicken for a minute or more each time you turn it over.
4. After 45 minutes, turn off the heat and the let chicken sit, covered, until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast reaches 170 degrees Fahrenheit (about 77 degrees Celsius).
5. Remove the chicken from the pot, cool and cut into bite-sized pieces. Serves 6 – 8 (or 1/2 chicken will serve 4).
6. If you like, reheat up to 1 cup of the sauce to serve over the chicken. Reserve the sauce to use again: bring to a boil, cool, and store in a plastic container in the freezer.

(Source)