Sanqi Steam Pot Chicken

Sanqi Steam Pot Chicken

　　Sanqi root stewed with chicken is a signature local dish of Yanshan. The preparation involves soaking and cleaning fine Sanqi roots in water, placing them inside a cleaned chicken, and then steaming the chicken in a steam pot until fully cooked. The dish is served hot, with the chicken, Sanqi roots, and broth all offering a lingering, delicious taste—making it an excellent tonic food. (Wenshan)

　　Introduction: Sanqi Steam Pot Chicken is a distinctive local delicacy from Yanshan County. The cooking method involves soaking and cleaning fine Sanqi roots, placing them inside a cleaned chicken, arranging the chicken pieces in a steam pot along with seasonings, and then setting the pot on top of a sandpot filled with four to five kilograms of water. The contact area between the two pots is sealed tightly, and the dish is steamed over high heat for three to four hours until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the meat easily separates from the bone. This cooking process results in chicken that retains its original flavor—tender, juicy, fragrant, and served with a sweet and savory broth.

　　The dish dates back to the Qing Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and has been popular among local communities in southern Yunnan. When combined with valuable medicinal herbs such as “Sanqi,” Gastrodia elata, and Cordyceps, it becomes “Sanqi” Steam Pot Chicken, Gastrodia Steam Pot Chicken, or Cordyceps Steam Pot Chicken—each a uniquely flavored, nourishing delicacy of Yunnan.

　　Fun Fact: Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty under Emperor Qianlong, when the emperor visited Lin’an Prefecture—now known as Jianshui County—the local prefect immediately ordered the chefs to prepare a special dish for His Majesty. A young chef, only 24 years old at the time, used the principle of a hot pot to create a beautifully designed steam pot. Unexpectedly, the resulting chicken had an exceptionally delicious flavor. After tasting it, Emperor Qianlong was full of praise, and thus Steam Pot Chicken became a renowned dish even served at state banquets.