This Chinese Ginger Scallion Poached Chicken is light, flavorful, and simple to make, perfect when paired with steamed rice and veggies. It’s a comforting dish that I grew up with and absolutely love. The poached chicken is tender and infused with the aromatic flavors of ginger and scallions, making it a satisfying and healthy meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 6 chicken drumsticks

• 2 slices of ginger

• 3 scallions (whole white parts cut off)

For the Soy Ginger Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons olive or sesame oil

• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

• ½ teaspoon coconut sugar (or regular sugar)

• ½ cup reserved water from cooking the chicken

• 2 tablespoons ginger (finely chopped)

• 4 scallions (finely chopped)

Directions

1. Fill a large pot with 6 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Add the chicken drumsticks, ginger slices, and scallions. Once the water comes back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

2. After the chicken is done, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for 1 more minute.

3. While the chicken rests, prepare an ice-water bowl. Transfer the cooked chicken into the ice water for 20 minutes to cool.

4. Meanwhile, make the soy ginger sauce by mixing olive or sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, reserved chicken cooking water, chopped ginger, and scallions in a bowl.

5. After the chicken has cooled, shred the pieces onto a serving plate. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and serve!

Nutrients

• Calories: Approximately 250 per serving (depends on portion size)

• Protein: 26g

• Fat: 15g

• Carbohydrates: 7g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 3g

This dish is simple, nutritious, and full of flavor—perfect for a healthy meal!

Why Chinese Ginger Scallion Poached Chicken is a Perfect Meal

This dish is both nourishing and light, with the poached chicken providing a lean source of protein that is easy on the digestive system. It’s a traditional comfort food that evokes warmth and satisfaction, making it the perfect option when you want something comforting but not overly heavy. The combination of ginger and scallions brings a fresh, zesty element to the chicken, making it feel flavorful without overwhelming the taste buds.

The poaching method is key to ensuring the chicken remains tender and juicy, with the added benefit of being a healthier cooking technique compared to frying or roasting. As a bonus, the chicken is cooked in water, which extracts its natural flavors, creating a delicious, subtly flavored broth that’s perfect for pairing with rice or vegetables.

Additionally, the homemade soy ginger sauce, made with low-sodium soy sauce, olive or sesame oil, and coconut sugar, gives the chicken a delightful depth of flavor, making this dish both balanced and satisfying. You can adjust the sweetness and savory elements based on your personal preference, but the overall combination of ingredients is a harmonious blend of fresh, bold flavors.

Key Ingredients of Chinese Ginger Scallion Poached Chicken

This dish relies on a few simple, yet flavorful ingredients that come together beautifully. The key elements are the chicken drumsticks, ginger, scallions, soy sauce, and the coconut sugar (or regular sugar) to add a slight sweetness to balance the savory elements. Let’s dive deeper into the key components:

Chicken Drumsticks: The chicken drumsticks are used for this dish because they’re not only flavorful but also moist and tender when poached. The skin on the drumsticks also helps retain moisture during cooking, ensuring the chicken remains juicy throughout.

Ginger: Fresh ginger provides an aromatic, zesty, and slightly peppery flavor that is the backbone of the dish. It’s used both in the poaching liquid to infuse the chicken and in the soy ginger sauce for an extra punch of flavor.

Scallions: Both the white and green parts of scallions are used in this recipe. The white parts are used during poaching to infuse the chicken with their subtle onion flavor, while the green parts are finely chopped and added to the sauce, contributing a mild, fresh taste.

Soy Sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce gives the soy ginger sauce a savory depth without being too salty. This allows the natural flavors of the chicken to shine while enhancing the overall dish with a hint of umami.

Coconut Sugar: The coconut sugar (or regular sugar) in the soy ginger sauce helps balance the salty soy sauce and the sharpness of the ginger, creating a perfectly harmonious sauce. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can adjust the sugar to suit your taste.

Olive or Sesame Oil: These oils provide a smooth base for the sauce. Sesame oil, in particular, adds a nutty, aromatic element that enhances the overall flavor, while olive oil is a slightly lighter alternative.

How to Make Chinese Ginger Scallion Poached Chicken

The process of making Chinese Ginger Scallion Poached Chicken is straightforward and involves minimal preparation. Let’s go step by step:

1. Poaching the Chicken: Start by filling a large pot with 6 cups of water and bringing it to a boil. Add the chicken drumsticks, ginger slices, and scallions. Once the water comes back to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Poaching the chicken this way ensures it stays tender and juicy while absorbing the flavors of the ginger and scallions.

2. Resting the Chicken: After the chicken has cooked, turn off the heat and cover the pot, letting it sit for one more minute. This allows the chicken to rest and absorb the remaining flavors in the pot.

3. Cooling the Chicken: While the chicken is resting, prepare an ice-water bath. Transfer the cooked chicken to the ice-water bowl for about 20 minutes to cool down. This step helps the chicken retain its tenderness and ensures it’s cool enough to handle when it’s time to shred it.

4. Preparing the Soy Ginger Sauce: While the chicken cools, prepare the soy ginger sauce. In a small bowl, combine olive or sesame oil, soy sauce, coconut sugar, reserved cooking water from the chicken, chopped ginger, and chopped scallions. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth, and the sugar has dissolved.

5. Shredding the Chicken: After the chicken has cooled, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces using your hands or forks. Place the shredded chicken onto a serving plate.

6. Serving: Pour the prepared soy ginger sauce over the shredded chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated. The sauce adds an additional layer of flavor, infusing the chicken with a balanced mix of savory, sweet, and aromatic notes.

Serving Suggestions for Chinese Ginger Scallion Poached Chicken

Chinese Ginger Scallion Poached Chicken is a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with steamed rice and a variety of vegetables. The mild flavor of the chicken makes it an ideal complement to simple sides such as steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, or a cucumber salad.

For a more complete meal, serve the chicken over a bowl of jasmine or brown rice, allowing the flavors of the sauce to soak into the rice. The light, tender chicken is a perfect match for the fluffy texture of rice, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.

If you’re in the mood for something extra, consider serving the chicken with a side of stir-fried vegetables or a light soup. The freshness of the vegetables pairs perfectly with the tender chicken, and the soup will complement the gentle flavors of the poached chicken.

Health Benefits of Chinese Ginger Scallion Poached Chicken

This dish is not only incredibly flavorful, but it’s also a nutritious choice for those looking to eat healthy without compromising on taste. The chicken provides a great source of lean protein, while ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and digestive benefits. Scallions also offer a range of health benefits, including supporting heart health and providing antioxidants.

The poaching method ensures that the chicken remains moist without the need for additional fats or oils, making it a lower-calorie alternative to fried or roasted chicken. By using low-sodium soy sauce and coconut sugar (or regular sugar), this dish keeps the sodium and sugar content in check, making it a heart-healthy option.

Conclusion: A Simple and Delicious Comfort Dish

Chinese Ginger Scallion Poached Chicken is a simple, delicious, and healthy dish that is perfect for any occasion. The tender chicken, infused with ginger and scallions, combined with the savory soy ginger sauce, creates a meal that is both comforting and flavorful. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, meal prep, or to share with friends, this dish is easy to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy. It’s the perfect balance of lightness and flavor, making it a must-try for anyone looking to enjoy a nutritious and comforting meal.