Liaoning-style Spicy Braised Chicken

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the original Indonesian Betutu dish is transformed into a Liaoning-style Spicy Braised Chicken. While Betutu is traditionally prepared by wrapping the chicken in banana leaves and slow-cooking it, this Liaoning-style version involves marinating the chicken in a blend of spices and braising it in a spicy sauce. The flavors are adjusted to suit the Liaoning cuisine, incorporating local spices and ingredients to create a unique fusion of Indonesian and Liaoning culinary traditions. We alse have the original recipe for Betutu, so you can check it out.

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs) 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons chili bean paste 2 tablespoons chili bean paste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, crushed 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, crushed
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 2 cups chicken broth (470 ml) 2 cups chicken broth (470 ml)
• 2 green onions, chopped 2 green onions, chopped
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 18g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 6g (Sugar: 2g)
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot and sauté until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Stir in the chili bean paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, Sichuan peppercorns, and five-spice powder. Cook for 1-2 minutes to release the flavors.
4. 4.
   Add the chicken pieces to the pot and coat them evenly with the sauce.
5. 5.
   Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
6. 6.
   Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
7. 7.
   Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — For the best results, use bone-in chicken pieces with the skin on. This will ensure a juicy and flavorful end result.
• Chili bean paste — Adjust the amount of chili bean paste according to your spice preference. Add more for extra heat or reduce for a milder flavor.
• Sichuan peppercorns — Toast the Sichuan peppercorns in a dry pan before crushing them to enhance their aroma and flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add some dried chili flakes or fresh chili peppers to the sauce.
• Serve the Liaoning-style Spicy Braised Chicken with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Make a double batch of the sauce and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. It can be used as a flavorful marinade or dipping sauce for other dishes.
• Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the chicken pieces to ensure they are fully cooked and tender.
• For a more authentic Liaoning flavor, use Chinese black vinegar instead of rice vinegar.

Serving advice

Serve the Liaoning-style Spicy Braised Chicken hot, garnished with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro. Accompany it with steamed rice or noodles to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the tender chicken pieces on a platter, drizzle the thick and spicy sauce over them, and sprinkle with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro. The vibrant colors and enticing aroma will make this dish an eye-catching centerpiece.