Red Cooked Chicken

Experience the rich, aromatic flavors of Chinese cuisine with this irresistible Red Cooked Chicken recipe, a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami. Tender chicken thighs are braised to perfection in a luscious sauce made with dark and light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and a hint of sugar, infused with fragrant spices like star anise, cinnamon, ginger, and garlic. This braising technique creates melt-in-your-mouth chicken and a glossy, flavor-packed sauce that’s ideal for spooning over steamed rice. Garnished with scallions for a fresh burst of flavor, this one-pot dish is easy to prepare in under an hour, making it a comforting and satisfying weeknight meal. Perfect for fans of Chinese red-braising, this recipe will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of a traditional Chinese kitchen!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 pieces chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 inch knob, sliced ginger
• 4 cloves, smashed garlic
• 2 pieces star anise
• 1 piece (2-inch) cinnamon stick
• 2 stalks, cut into 2-inch segments scallions
• 1.5 cups water
• 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the chicken thighs under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

Step 2

Heat the neutral cooking oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the ginger slices and smashed garlic cloves to the pan. Sauté until aromatic, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 4

Add the star anise and cinnamon stick to the pan, stirring gently for another minute.

Step 5

Carefully place the chicken thighs into the pan, skin-side down if using skin-on chicken, and sear until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side.

Step 6

Once the chicken is browned, add the dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, and Shaoxing wine to the pan. Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly.

Step 7

Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the chicken simmer for 30 minutes.

Step 8

After 30 minutes, remove the lid and stir in the scallions. Increase the heat slightly and simmer uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with a little more soy sauce or sugar if needed.

Step 10

Turn off the heat and let the chicken rest in the sauce for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot over steamed rice or with vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1505.8 grams (1505.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2390

Total Fat 129.10g	166%
Saturated Fat 32.80g	164%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 846mg	282%
Sodium 5843mg	254%
Total Carbohydrate 48.30g	18%
Dietary Fiber 4.40g	16%
Total Sugars 26.50g
Protein 243.30g	487%

Vitamin D 63IU	315%
Calcium 277mg	21%
Iron 14mg	78%
Potassium 2803mg	60%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.9%

Protein: 41.8%

Carbs: 8.3%