Discover the delicious and comforting flavors of traditional Chinese Huang Men Ji with our easy-to-follow recipe. Made with tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and a rich, aromatic broth that is bursting with the flavors of soy sauce, shaoxing wine, and hoisin sauce, this dish is perfect for a hearty dinner any time of year.
- Publisher: Pithy Recipe
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Category: Soup, Dinner
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 3
Huang Men Ji
Huang Men Ji is a traditional Chinese dish that is made with chicken, vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. It is often served as a comforting soup or stew, and it is believed to have medicinal properties due to the ingredients used in the broth.
Huang Men Ji in Chinese is 黄焖鸡米饭, which translates to Yellow Braised Chicken. Braised chicken is a cooking method in which chicken is first seared and then cooked slowly in liquid over low heat. The liquid, which can be broth, wine, or a combination of both, helps to keep the chicken moist and tender as it cooks.
Try our tips for customizing the recipe to your own tastes and preferences.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 medium sized chicken
- 8 shiitake mushrooms, or fresh mushrooms would work too
- 3 tbsp oil
- 3 green chilli pepper,
- 3 ginger clove, minced/diced
- 2 stalks spring onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoon of cooking wine (shaoxing wine, sherry or whisky)
- 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tsp white pepper powder
- 1g salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
Method Instructions
- Chicken should be cut into small pieces and stir-fried or braised.
- If you’re using dried shiitake mushrooms, soak them in water first. Drain the mushrooms but don’t throw away the water. If you’re using fresh mushrooms, simply replace the water with half a bowl of drinking water. Cut the mushroom into smaller pieces.
- Set aside the seeds and stalk of your green chili pepper.
- In a pot, heat the oil. (Huang Men Ji is prepared in a clay pot.)
- Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir fry until the sugar has melted and turned brown.
- Next, add the chicken pieces to the pot and stir to coat with the browned sugar.
- Mix in the minced ginger, dried chili, shaoxing wine, light and dark soy sauces. Mix everything together evenly.
- Pour in enough hot water to completely cover the chicken. Add Shiitake mushroom slices as well.
- Season with salt and white pepper powder. Cover with a lid. Reduce to a low heat and cook for 25 minutes.
- Take off the lid. Increase the heat to high and reduce the sauce slightly.
- Add the celery. Simmer for 2 minutes more.
- Season with pepper. Simmer for additional 2 minutes.
- Voila! Your Huang Men Ji is ready to be served.
Recipe Video
Huang Men Ji
This is a video about Huang Men Ji.
Video Credits: Chinese Cooking Demystified
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 19 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Huang Men Ji, Huang Men Ji Recipe, Braised Chicken, Recipe, Yellow Braised Chicken
Servings
- As a soup: Serve the Huang Men Ji as a comforting soup, either on its own or with some crusty bread or rice on the side.
- Over noodles: Likewise, you can cook some noodles, such as udon, ramen, or soba, and add them to the Huang Men Ji for a hearty, filling meal.
- With rice: You could serve the Huang Men Ji over a bed of steamed rice for a simple, classic combination.
- As a stew: If you prefer a thicker, more stew-like consistency, you can reduce the broth by simmering it uncovered for a longer period of time, or by adding a little bit of cornstarch mixed with water to thicken it up.
- With other side dishes: You can as well serve the Huang Men Ji alongside other dishes, such as dumplings, spring rolls, or stir-fried vegetables, to create a larger, more diverse meal.
No matter how you choose to serve the Huang Men Ji, be sure to garnish it with herbs like cilantro, basil, or mint for a fresh, bright flavor. Enjoy!
Tips
- Use high-quality broth: The broth is the foundation of the Huang Men Ji, so it’s important to use a good-quality chicken broth or make your own. If you’re short on time, you can also use a good-quality store-bought broth and add your own seasonings to it.
- Experiment with different vegetables: You can use any vegetables you have on hand for this recipe, so don’t be afraid to get creative and mix and match. Some options might include bok choy, mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
- Use aromatic herbs: Aromatic herbs like cilantro, basil, and mint add a fresh, bright flavor to the Huang Men Ji. Don’t be afraid to use a generous amount of herbs – they’ll help to balance out the richness of the broth and add some visual appeal to the dish.
- Don’t skimp on the soy sauce and hoisin sauce: These ingredients add depth of flavor to the broth, so be sure to use a good-quality soy sauce and hoisin sauce. You can also add a little bit of rice wine or sesame oil to further enhance the flavor.
- Be free adjust the consistency of the broth: If you prefer a thicker, more stew-like consistency, you can simmer the broth uncovered for a longer period of time, or add a little bit of cornstarch mixed with water to thicken it up. If you prefer a thinner broth, simply add more chicken broth or water.
- Customize the recipe to your tastes: This recipe is very flexible, so feel free to make it your own. You can add more or fewer vegetables, use different types of protein, or adjust the seasonings to your liking. The key is to have fun and experiment!
Storage
- Allow the dish to cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator.
- Transfer the Huang Men Ji to an airtight container or divide it into individual portions and store in separate containers.
- Place the container in the refrigerator and store for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat the Huang Men Ji, place it in a pot over medium heat and heat until it is hot and bubbly. Alternatively, you can microwave it for a few minutes, until it is heated through.
- Serve the Huang Men Ji hot, garnished with herbs if desired.
It’s important to note that the texture of some vegetables, like broccoli or bell peppers, may change after being frozen and thawed. If you’re concerned about the texture of your Huang Men Ji, you might want to omit these vegetables or add them in fresh when you reheat the dish.
Substitutes
- Chicken thighs or breasts: You can use any type of chicken for this recipe, or you can substitute with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, onions, and broccoli: You can use any vegetables you have on hand for this recipe. Some other options might include bok choy, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- Garlic, ginger, and scallions: These ingredients add a lot of flavor to the Huang Men Ji, but if you don’t have them, you can omit them or use a little bit of garlic powder and ground ginger as a substitute.
- Aromatic herbs such as cilantro, basil, and mint: These herbs add a fresh, bright flavor to the dish, but you can omit them if you don’t have them or if you don’t like them.
- Soy sauce, rice wine, and hoisin sauce: These ingredients add depth of flavor to the broth, but if you don’t have them, you can omit them or use a little bit of soy sauce substitute, such as tamari or coconut aminos.
- Cornstarch and water: These ingredients are used to thicken the broth, but if you don’t have cornstarch, you can use flour or arrowroot starch as a substitute.
Remarks
I hope you’ve enjoyed my recipe for Chinese Braised Chicken, Huang Men Ji and that you’ll give it a try in your own kitchen. Whether you’re a fan of chicken soup, noodles, or rice, this dish has something to offer for everyone.
And with its rich, aromatic broth and tender, flavorful chicken, it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family. Plus, with its versatility and adaptability, it’s easy to customize the recipe to your own tastes and preferences, whether you want to make it vegetarian, gluten-free, or just a little bit spicier.
So don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with this recipe – and don’t forget to share your own tips and variations in the comments below!