Beggar's Chicken Recipe
Beggar's chicken, which is cooked in leaves and clay, is a famous baked dish, specific to the southern Chinese provinces such as Zhejiang, Changshu and Guangdong.
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Ingredients
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Main Ingredients
Method
Cooking Instructions
- 1
Preparing the Chicken
Clean the whole chicken thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels. Place it in a large bowl.
- 2
Marinating the Chicken
In a bowl, mix soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, minced ginger, minced garlic, five spice powder, salt, and black pepper. Pour this marinade over the chicken, ensuring it is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight in the refrigerator for better flavor.
- 3
Preparing the Lotus Leaves
Soak the lotus leaves in warm water for about 30 minutes until they are soft and pliable. Drain and pat them dry.
- 4
Wrapping the Chicken
Lay two lotus leaves on a clean surface, overlapping them slightly. Place the marinated chicken in the center of the leaves. Add chopped spring onions and drizzle sesame oil over the chicken. Fold the leaves over the chicken to wrap it securely.
- 5
Preparing the Clay
In a mixing bowl, combine the clay with a little water to make it pliable. Wrap the clay around the lotus leaf-wrapped chicken to completely encase it.
- 6
Baking the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the clay-wrapped chicken on a baking tray and bake for about 1.5 hours. The clay will harden and protect the chicken as it cooks.
- 7
Serving
Once the cooking time is complete, remove the chicken from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Crack open the clay and unwrap the lotus leaves carefully. Serve the chicken hot, garnished with additional spring onions if desired.