braised chicken recipe

Huang Men Ji (Braised Chicken) Recipe Guide

Huang Men Ji, a beloved Chinese comfort dish, tenderizes chicken in a savory soy-based sauce with wood ear mushrooms, bell peppers, and tofu skin. Here’s a simple yet authentic recipe to recreate it at home.

Ingredients: 500g chicken thighs (cut into pieces), 3 dried wood ear mushrooms (soaked and sliced), 1 green bell pepper, 1 tofu skin sheet (soaked and torn), 3 ginger slices, 4 garlic cloves, 2 dried chilies (optional). For the sauce: 3 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tbsp cooking wine.

Steps:

1. Prep: Marinate chicken with 1 tbsp soy sauce, cooking wine, and ginger for 15 minutes.

2. Sauté: Heat oil in a wok, stir-fry garlic and chilies until fragrant. Add chicken, cook until golden.

3. Simmer: Pour in sauce ingredients, add wood ear and tofu skin. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 20 minutes.

4. Finish: Add bell peppers, cook for 5 more minutes. Thicken with 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with water if desired.

Serving: Serve hot with steamed rice. For variations, try adding shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, or doubling the sauce for extra gravy. Enjoy this umami-rich dish that’s quick, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable!