Umami GuruRecipes

Congyou ji (葱油鸡)

China

Congyou ji

Tender pieces of chicken soaked in a fragrant scallion‑oil sauce, cooked quickly while staying juicy. This traditional Chinese dish is served with rice.

Ingredients

Steps

  1. Congyou ji step 1

    Place the chicken thighs in a pot, cover with water, add 2 green onions (for broth), 6 pieces of ginger and 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine. Bring to a full boil, skim off the foam.

  2. Congyou ji step 2

    Reduce heat to minimum, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes.

  3. Congyou ji step 3

    Turn off the heat, keep the pot covered for another 10 minutes, then transfer the chicken to a large bowl with cold water (with ice). Reserve the broth for later use.

  4. Congyou ji step 4

    When the chicken is cool enough, remove the skin and bones, and tear the meat into bite‑size pieces.

  5. Congyou ji step 5

    Cut the remaining 5 green onion stalks in half. Slice the white parts into 2‑3 pieces and finely shred the green parts.

  6. Congyou ji step 6

    In a clean dry pot, sauté the white parts of the green onion, add 4 tbsp vegetable oil and fry over low heat until the edges turn golden. Then remove the onion pieces and turn off the heat.

  7. Congyou ji step 7

    Quickly add the finely chopped green parts of the onion and 1 tsp ginger paste to the hot oil, let them sizzle lightly.

  8. Congyou ji step 8

    Arrange the chicken pieces on a serving plate, drizzle 2 tbsp of the reserved broth, top with half of the onion oil, sprinkle a pinch of ground white pepper and drizzle 2 tbsp light soy sauce.

  9. Congyou ji step 9

    Serve the dish with steamed rice or as a standalone course.