Chicken Feet (凤爪 – Fèng Zhuǎ) / china king menu-2024
Here’s a complete recipe for Chicken Feet (凤爪 – Fèng Zhuǎ), a popular Chinese delicacy often enjoyed as a dim sum dish.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Feet:
- 500g chicken feet (trimmed, cleaned, and nails removed)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp vinegar (optional, for cleaning)
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)
For Braising:
- 3 cups water
- 3 slices ginger
- 2 cloves garlic (smashed)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 star anise
- 1 small piece of cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns (optional, for spicier flavor)
- 1 tbsp chili bean paste (Doubanjiang) (optional)
- china king menu
Instructions
1. Preparation
- Trim the nails off the chicken feet, if not already done. Rinse thoroughly.
- Soak the chicken feet in cold water mixed with salt and vinegar for 10-15 minutes to clean. Rinse and drain.
2. Frying the Chicken Feet
- Pat the chicken feet dry with paper towels.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or wok until it reaches 180°C (350°F).
- Carefully deep-fry the chicken feet in batches until golden brown (5-7 minutes). Be cautious of oil splatter.
- Remove and let the chicken feet drain on a paper towel.
- china king menu
3. Soaking
- Place the fried chicken feet in a bowl of ice-cold water. Let them soak for at least 1-2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This helps the skin become plump and tender.
- china king menu
4. Braising
- Heat a wok or pot with a little oil. Add ginger, garlic, and spices (star anise, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns) and stir-fry until fragrant.
- Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili bean paste, Shaoxing wine, sugar, and water. Stir well to combine.
- Drain the chicken feet and add them to the sauce.
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the chicken feet are tender and flavorful. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Finishing
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed (add more soy sauce or sugar as desired).
- Remove the chicken feet and transfer them to a serving plate.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm as a dim sum dish or a side dish.
- Pair with steamed rice or a hot bowl of congee for a complete meal.
Enjoy your 凤爪 (Fèng Zhuǎ)!