Emperor Herbal Chicken ~ 药材皇帝鸡

 

 

Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the lunar new year and for 2023 it is the year of the water Rabbit which falls on Sunday 22nd January.  Sumptuous food is served in Chinese households and I believe that this Emperor Herbal Chicken dish can be added to your menu of glorious food.

Emperor Herbal Chicken   ~  药材皇帝鸡

Ingredients

• 600 gm (1/2 a full range chicken)
• 8 seedless red dates
• 2 pieces Dang Gui (angelica root)
• 2 pieces Bei Qi
• 15 gm Huai San
• 15 gm Dang Shen
• 20 gm Yuk Zhu
• 5 gm wolfberries (to add on after chicken is cooked)
• 2 Tbsp Shaoxing wine
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1/2 Tbsp seasalt
• 1 tsp light soya sauce

Method

1. Rub the chicken with seasalt and a bit of light soya sauce.  
2. Place the chicken on 2 pieces of parchment paper.
3. Wash the red dates, dang gui, bei qi, huai san, dang shen, yuk zhu and  spread them on the chicken.  
4. Pour in the Shaoxing wine and sesame oil.
5. Wrap the chicken and place it on a plate.
6. Heat up a steamer and steam the chicken on boiling water for about 20 mins., then on medium heat for another 1 hr. Open up the parcel and check whether the chicken is tender, then sprinkle on the washed wolfberries.  Steam again for another 15 mins.
7. Serve with white rice.

Note :   If a whole chicken is used, then use more herbs and stuff the herbs into the chicken cavity before steaming.

Here's Wishing Each and Everyone a Very Happy, Prosperous and Healthy Chinese New Year!