Chinese Simmer Chicken
Discover the rich and aromatic flavors of Chinese Simmer Chicken, a comforting dish that combines tender, bone-in chicken thighs with the deep umami of soy sauce and the distinctive warmth of spices like star anise and cinnamon. Gently simmered in a savory blend of Shaoxing wine, garlic, and ginger, this recipe creates a luxurious, well-balanced sauce that coats every bite. Perfect for busy weeknights or a weekend dinner, this one-pot Chinese classic is easy to make yet delivers restaurant-quality results. Serve with steamed rice or fresh vegetables to soak up the flavorful sauce, and let the delectable fragrance transport you straight to a traditional Chinese kitchen.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 0.5 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 0.25 cup Shaoxing wine (Chinese cooking wine)
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 5 slices ginger, sliced
- 2 pieces star anise
- 1 piece cinnamon stick
- 3 stalks scallions, cut into 2-inch sections
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon ground white pepper
Instructions
Rinse the chicken thighs under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Set aside.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, water, and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the minced garlic, sliced ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick, and scallion sections to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
Place the chicken thighs into the pot, skin side down. Ensure they are partially submerged in the liquid.
Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 35 minutes.
Midway through cooking, flip the chicken thighs to ensure even cooking and flavor absorption.
After 35 minutes, remove the lid and add sesame oil, salt, and ground white pepper. Stir gently and let the chicken simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken slightly.
Turn off the heat and let the chicken rest in the sauce for 5 minutes to absorb more flavor.
Serve the chicken hot with steamed white rice or your choice of vegetables. Spoon some sauce over the chicken for extra flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
321 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 16.2 g | 21% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.0 g | 20% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 94 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 2554 mg | 111% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 14.7 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g | ||
| Protein | 26.3 g | 53% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 65 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 467 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
