Hua Diao Chicken

Hua Diao Chicken

　　Cuisine: Jiangsu Cuisine

　　Flavor: Salty and Savory

　　Price: 40–80 RMB

　　Features: Known for its unique preparation method, amber-like color, delicious taste, and widespread fame.

　　Ingredients:

　　One 1250g hen, 30g honey, 75g pork fat, 50g oyster sauce, 35g ginger pieces, 100g Hua Diao wine, 35g scallions, 125g light second soup, 5g MSG.

　　Preparation Method:

　　1. Clean the chicken thoroughly, blanch in boiling water for about 2 minutes, remove to clean off any fuzz or dirt, then blanch again in boiling water until cooked, remove and let cool until the skin is dry.

　　2. First brush the chicken skin with oyster sauce, then with honey; slice the pork fat thinly. Mix the remaining oyster sauce, honey, MSG, and light second soup in a bowl to make a marinade.

　　3. Heat a wok over high heat, place slices of pork fat on the bottom, fry until fat renders, then place the chicken on its side on top of the fat. Fry until both sides and the legs are slightly golden, add ginger and scallions, mix well, then add Hua Diao wine and lightly fry. Pour in the marinade, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before returning to the stove. Repeat this process 8 times. During this, turn the chicken 3 times — that is, after frying each side, remove from heat twice. This braising-frying process takes about 12 minutes in total. For the last time off the heat, wait 3 minutes before uncovering, remove the ginger, scallions, and fat residue, take out the chicken, cut into pieces, arrange it in its original shape on a plate, and drizzle with the original sauce before serving.

　　Tips:

　　The Hua Diao Chicken is braise-fried repeatedly up to 8 times over about 12 minutes, resulting in rich flavor and tender, crispy meat — the hallmark of an authentic dish.