General Tso’s Chicken is saucy, juicy and crispy. The signature sauce is thick and loaded with flavor. If you are a die-hard orange chicken fan, you must try this dish! Make it all in one dish in the comfort of your home for a sweet and spicy treat!.
My family loves ordering in Chinese takeout, but lately, I’ve been having a blast recreating my favorite dishes at home.
Not only is homemade “takeout” healthier, but you’ll save money. That’s a win-win in my book. Let’s get started!.
Asian-American food called General Tso’s Chicken is made of breaded and fried chicken pieces that are tossed in a sour sauce. This dish is very similar in style to sesame or orange chicken. But, like in much of Chinese food, it’s the sauce that makes each dish unique.
Typically, General Tso’s Chicken is served with a bed of steamed rice and a side of steamed broccoli. If you want to make a full spread of takeout favorites, try your hand at making some chow mein too. Don’t forget the chopsticks!.
Chicken dishes are an integral part of Chinese cuisine, known for their unique blend of flavors and cooking techniques While the complex seasonings of Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and chili oils have popularized dishes like Kung Pao Chicken and General Tso’s Chicken globally, the simple poached white-cut chicken remains a staple comfort food for Chinese families
In this article, we’ll explore what plain Chinese chicken is called, how it’s prepared, its origins and cultural significance, regional variations, health benefits, and how to make it at home Whether you’re a Chinese food enthusiast or simply love tasty and nutritious chicken recipes, read on for an in-depth look at this classic dish!
What is Plain Chinese Chicken Called?
In Mandarin, plain poached chicken is called “bai qie ji” (白切雞), which literally translates to “white-cut chicken.” The name refers to the pale white color of the boiled chicken served without any additional seasonings besides salt.
In English, it’s also called “white-cooked chicken,” “boiled chicken,” or “plain chicken.” People who speak Cantonese may also call the dish something different, like “bai zhan gai.” “.
A Classic Chinese Cooking Technique
For hundreds of years, Chinese people have cooked chicken by poaching it in plain water or broth. The slow simmering makes the meat soft and silky, and it absorbs the natural flavor of chicken. It also comes from ancient Chinese medicine, where the broth was thought to have healing properties.
In traditional Chinese culture, serving a whole poached chicken represents prosperity and togetherness. The premium quality, unadulterated taste of the poultry was reserved for special occasions and honored guests.
Even though complex seasoned chicken dishes are popular around the world, white-cut chicken is still a comfort food for many Chinese families. The minimalism highlights the pure, fresh flavor of quality chicken.
Regional Variations Across China
Plain poached chicken is enjoyed throughout China, but regions add their own touches:
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Northern China – Often cooked with aromatics like scallions, ginger slices, or goji berries. Served with dipping sauces.
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Eastern China – Chilled chicken is favored in summertime. Shredded chicken also added to soups.
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Southern China – Chicken poached in master stocks or herbal broths infuses more complex flavors.
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Sichuan – Spicy pickled chili oils and peppercorn mixes offered as dips.
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Cantonese – Chicken soaked in ice water post-cooking to tighten skin. Served with oyster sauce or ponzu dip.
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Hunan – Bones sometimes crushed before poaching to release marrow. Served with chili oil.
So while the basic poaching technique remains the same, regional ingredients and condiments add diversity to plain chicken in different parts of China.
Health Benefits of White-Cut Chicken
Besides being delicious, white-cut chicken is one of the healthiest ways to enjoy poultry:
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High in lean protein – Essential for building muscle, bone strength, and feeling full.
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Low in fat and calories – Poaching removes excess fat.
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Rich in vitamins & minerals – Packed with immunity-boosting zinc, energizing iron, and vitamin B.
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Contains collagen – The long simmering breaks down connective tissue into gut-healthy collagen.
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Easy to digest – Gentle cooking makes the proteins and nutrients easier to absorb.
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Versatile ingredient – Shredded chicken can be added to salads, soups, congee, stir-fries, and more!
So enjoying white-cut chicken is good for your body as well as satisfying your hunger and longing for old-fashioned tastes.
How to Make Plain Poached Chicken at Home
Here’s a simple recipe to poach your own juicy white-cut chicken:
Ingredients:
- 1 small whole chicken (2-3 lbs)
- Water to submerge chicken
- 2 tsp salt
- Optional aromatics: ginger, scallion, goji berries
Instructions:
- Rinse the chicken thoroughly under water. Remove any giblets.
- Place the whole chicken in a stockpot and cover with cold water by 2 inches.
- Add salt and any optional aromatics you desire.
- Heat the pot over medium-high heat until the water reaches a gentle simmer. Lower heat to maintain a simmer.
- Poach the chicken gently for 45-60 minutes until the meat near the leg joint reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a platter to cool slightly. Serve warm or chilled.
For the best flavor, use the freshest and highest quality chicken available. Free-range and organic chickens have the most flavor. You can also save the broth for future cooking. Enjoy the wholesome taste of home-poached white-cut chicken!
So the next time you see “bai qie ji” on a Chinese menu or are hankering for some nostalgic flavors, you’ll know exactly what simple yet scrumptious dish is being referred to. This hearty boiled chicken is the ultimate comforting meal that lets the pure, delicate flavors of the fresh poultry shine.
How to Make General Tso’s Sauce:
The sauce for General Tso’s chicken is so simple to make with pantry staple ingredients: rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, sugar, and some corn starch to thicken the sauce. Simply add the ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.
How to Prepare General Tso’s Chicken
Don’t be afraid to make your own General Tso’s Chicken. It’s so simple that you won’t need to order it again. Follow these easy steps to nail it every time:
- Cut chicken into 1-inch size cubes. Toss the chicken with corn starch.
- Cook your chicken until all sides are golden brown.
- Remove the chicken from the pan.
- Saute garlic, ginger and pepper flakes in the pan.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then add the chicken.
- Toss the chicken, making sure to evenly coat each piece. Serve hot to hungry people!.
SESAME CHICKEN Just like Chinese Takeout#shorts
FAQ
What is fried chicken called in Chinese?
The dish consists of small chunks of fried chicken breast meat covered in a crispy batter coating. What is Chinese chicken called? General Tso’s chicken (Chinese: 左宗棠雞, pronounced [tswò]), also called General Tao’s chicken or General Tsao’s chicken is a sweet and spicy deep-fried chicken dish that is served in North American Chinese restaurants.
What is Chinese poached chicken?
Authentic Chinese Poached Chicken (白切鸡 – bai qie ji), or “white cut chicken,” is a special dish. It is both deceptively simple and delicious, served with minced ginger, scallions, oil, and salt. Make sure your chicken is at room temperature. If you try to poach a chicken that is still cold from the fridge, it will not cook evenly or enough.
Why is Bak Chit Gai called white cut chicken?
Bill walks you through every step of the way! Why is it called White Cut Chicken? The Chinese name for the dish (白切鸡 – bak chit gai in Cantonese or bai qie ji in Mandarin) translates to white cut chicken. It gets its name from being poached in water, which makes a very simple dish that looks like a clean, white sheet of paper.
Are Chinese chicken dishes spicy?
Yes, Chinese chicken dishes can be spicy. In fact, many Chinese cuisines, such as Szechuan and Hunan, are known for their fiery and numbing spice profiles. However, not all Chinese chicken dishes are spicy, and spice levels can be adjusted based on personal preference.
Are Chicken balls Chinese?
In Western Chinese cuisine Chicken balls (Chinese: 鸡球; pinyin: jī qiú) are a type of modern Chinese food served in Canada, Ireland, United States, and the United Kingdom as a staple of Chinese take-out. The dish consists of small chunks of fried chicken breast meat covered in a crispy batter coating. What is Chinese chicken called?.
How do Chinese cook chicken?
Chinese chefs employ several cooking techniques to prepare delightful chicken dishes. Some of these methods are steaming, braising, roasting, boiling, stir-frying, and deep-frying. It depends on the dish and the flavors you want. Are Chinese chicken dishes healthy?.
What is the Chinese chicken called?
Kung Pao Chicken is a beloved Chinese restaurant dish traditionally made with ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns, Chinese black vinegar, rice wine, and dried red chilies.
What is the name of the Chinese chicken?
The Silkie, also known as the Silky or Chinese silk chicken, is a Chinese breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is soft to the touch, like silk or fur. Other unusual qualities include black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and pentadactyly (five toes on each foot) – most chickens have only four.
What are some types of Chinese chicken?
- Better-Than-Takeout Sticky Chicken. …
- Chicken Lo Mein With Ginger Mushrooms. …
- General Tso’s Chicken. …
- Trini Chinese Chicken. …
- Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken. …
- Honey Garlic Chicken.