This quick and easy Chinese Steamed Chicken recipe is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. The chicken is steamed with a flavorful sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper, which keeps the meat incredibly tender and juicy. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a fantastic dish for anyone looking for a delicious, no-fuss meal. Serve with rice and your favorite veggies for a complete dinner.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 chicken thighs (chopped)

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tsp white pepper

• 1/2 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 inch of ginger, thinly sliced

• 2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (optional)

• 2 tbsp green onion, chopped

Directions

1. Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, sesame oil, and sugar to make the marinade.

2. Set up the chicken: Place the chopped chicken on a deep serving plate, ensuring the plate is deep enough to catch the chicken juices. Pour the marinade over the chicken, then optionally drizzle the Chinese cooking wine over the top.

3. Add the ginger: Place the sliced ginger on top of the chicken.

4. Steam the chicken: Steam the chicken for 15 minutes or until fully cooked.

5. Garnish and serve: Once the chicken is cooked, garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately with rice.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 217

• Carbohydrates: 4g

• Protein: 13g

• Fat: 16g

• Saturated Fat: 4g

• Cholesterol: 71mg

• Sodium: 682mg

• Potassium: 187mg

• Fiber: 0.3g

• Sugar: 2g

The Benefits of Steaming Chicken

Steaming chicken is one of the healthiest cooking methods because it preserves moisture, which results in juicy and tender meat. Unlike frying or roasting, steaming doesn’t require added oils or fats, making it a low-fat option while still delivering deliciously flavorful results. The steam helps the chicken stay moist while the marinade flavors penetrate the meat, making each bite flavorful and tender. This method also locks in the nutrients from the chicken, creating a well-balanced and light meal.

The Flavorful Marinade

The marinade for Chinese Steamed Chicken is key to achieving its rich, savory flavor. The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and sugar creates a perfect balance of salty, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. Soy sauce and oyster sauce form the salty umami base, while the sesame oil adds a nutty richness. White pepper contributes a subtle heat that enhances the overall flavor, and sugar provides a hint of sweetness that balances the savory elements. This marinade not only seasons the chicken but also helps keep it moist and flavorful throughout the steaming process.

Ginger: A Fragrant Touch

Ginger is a traditional ingredient in Chinese cooking, and its inclusion in this recipe adds an aromatic and slightly spicy kick that complements the savory sauce. When thinly sliced and placed on top of the chicken, the ginger infuses the dish with its fragrant oils while steaming, offering a fresh, warming contrast to the rich umami flavors of the sauce. Ginger also has a number of health benefits, including aiding digestion and providing anti-inflammatory properties, making it a perfect addition to this healthy dish.

Steaming the Chicken

Steaming the chicken in this recipe is straightforward. Simply place the chopped chicken thighs on a deep serving plate, ensuring the plate can catch any juices that may be released during the steaming process. Pour the marinade over the chicken and top with sliced ginger. Steaming the chicken for just 15 minutes ensures that it is fully cooked while remaining tender and moist. The steam envelops the chicken, cooking it gently and allowing the sauce to seep into every bite, creating a succulent and flavorful dish.

Optional: Chinese Cooking Wine

Chinese cooking wine, also known as Shaoxing wine, is a staple in many Chinese dishes. It adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to the flavor profile of the dish. While it is optional in this recipe, adding 2 tablespoons of Chinese cooking wine to the marinade can elevate the dish by infusing the chicken with a subtle aromatic fragrance. If you don’t have Chinese cooking wine, you can substitute with dry sherry or simply omit it, as the dish will still be flavorful without it.

Garnishing with Green Onions

Once the chicken is steamed and ready to serve, garnish it with chopped green onions. The green onions add a fresh, slightly sharp contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the chicken. They also provide a pop of color, making the dish look even more inviting. The freshness of the green onions enhances the overall dish and adds a delightful finishing touch.

Serving Suggestions

Chinese Steamed Chicken is perfect when served with steamed rice. The rice helps to absorb the flavorful sauce and juices from the chicken, making every bite more satisfying. You can also serve this dish alongside stir-fried or steamed vegetables to complete the meal and add more nutrients to your plate. Some great vegetable options include bok choy, spinach, or broccoli, all of which complement the flavors of the chicken.

For a more filling meal, you can serve the chicken with quinoa or noodles, depending on your preference. These alternatives to rice offer different textures and flavors, providing variety while still keeping the meal light and healthy.

A Quick and Easy Meal

One of the best aspects of this Chinese Steamed Chicken recipe is how quick and easy it is to prepare. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful, healthy meal that’s ready in under 20 minutes. The chicken cooks quickly while absorbing the rich flavors from the marinade, and the steaming process ensures that the meat stays tender and juicy. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this dish is a simple yet impressive option that doesn’t require much time or effort.

Nutritional Benefits

Chinese Steamed Chicken is not only delicious but also nutritious. With only 217 calories per serving, this dish is low in calories while providing a healthy dose of protein. Each serving offers 13g of protein, making it a great choice for anyone looking to maintain muscle mass or feel full and satisfied after a meal. The 16g of fat mainly comes from the sesame oil, which provides healthy fats and enhances the flavor of the dish.

In addition, the dish is low in carbohydrates, with only 4g of carbs per serving. The sodium content is 682mg, which comes primarily from the soy and oyster sauces. If you’re watching your sodium intake, you can reduce the amount of soy sauce or opt for a lower-sodium version of soy sauce to better fit your dietary needs.

The fiber content is relatively low, at 0.3g, but this can be balanced by pairing the chicken with fiber-rich vegetables or grains. The small amount of sugar (2g) in the recipe comes from the brown sugar in the marinade, which helps balance the saltiness of the sauces.

Conclusion

Chinese Steamed Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a healthy meal anytime. The tender chicken, rich sauce, and aromatic ginger make for a deliciously satisfying dish that can be served with a variety of sides like rice, noodles, or vegetables. Whether you’re looking for a light meal or something full of flavor, this recipe offers a healthy and delicious option that’s easy to prepare and guaranteed to please your taste buds. Try it for your next meal and enjoy a delicious, no-fuss dinner that’s packed with flavor and nutrients.