Back to list

Best Easy Drunken Chicken Recipe

Name: Best Easy Drunken Chicken Recipe
Total time: 170 min
Yield: 180 g
Ingredients: bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 2 lbs; scallions 4 pieces; fresh ginger 6 slices; Shaoxing wine 0.75 cups; low-sodium soy sauce 2 tbsp; rock sugar (or substitute granulated sugar) 1 tbsp; kosher salt 2 tsp; cold water 2 cups

Poached chicken is marinated overnight in Shaoxing wine and served chilled as a refined cold appetizer. This elegant dish is naturally high protein and low calorie, fitting seamlessly into a 1200 calorie or intermittent fasting meal plan.

Cook 170 min Difficulty NORMAL 215 kcal

#high protein #low carb #diabetic friendly

Image coming soon

Ingredients

Main ingredients

bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 2 lbs
scallions 4 pieces
fresh ginger 6 slices

Seasonings/Sauce

Shaoxing wine 0.75 cups
low-sodium soy sauce 2 tbsp
rock sugar (or substitute granulated sugar) 1 tbsp
kosher salt 2 tsp
cold water 2 cups

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 3 g 5%

Protein 28 g 52%

Fat 7 g 29%

Serving size 180g

Cooking steps

1

Thoroughly rinse and trim the chicken thighs, keeping the bones and skin intact for maximum juiciness.
2

Fill a medium pot with 2 cups cold water, add scallions and ginger slices, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
3

Lower the chicken thighs into the pot, add salt, and gently poach uncovered for 15–18 minutes, adjusting the heat so the water remains just below a boil.
4

Turn off the heat, cover, and let the chicken sit in the hot broth for 20 minutes to finish cooking and keep the meat moist.
5

Remove chicken and immediately plunge into an ice bath for 10 minutes to tighten the skin and lock in juiciness.
6

Pat dry, then slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place in a deep dish.
7

Combine Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and sugar; pour evenly over the chicken to submerge. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator at least 8 hours, ideally overnight.
8

To serve, drain off excess marinade and arrange the chilled chicken on a plate. Serve with a drizzle of extra marinade if desired.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What’s the key ingredient for authentic Drunken Chicken flavor?

Shaoxing wine is the essential seasoning in this recipe. It infuses the poached chicken with a fragrant, refined, and slightly sweet aroma unique to classic Drunken Chicken. Without Shaoxing wine, you lose the dish’s signature character.

Q. How do you prevent the chicken from overcooking or drying out?

Keep the poaching liquid just below a boil—never let it fully boil. After poaching, let the chicken finish in the residual heat and immediately ice-bathe to lock in moisture. These steps produce tender, succulent chicken every time.

Q. What is the protein-to-carb ratio and how many calories per serving?

Each 180g serving contains roughly 215 kcal, with 28g protein (about 52% of total calories) and just 3g carbohydrates (5%). This makes the dish especially suitable for high protein and low carb meal targets.

Q. Which step is most crucial for achieving the silky, bouncy chicken texture?

The ice bath step after poaching is critical. Plunging the hot chicken into ice water cools it rapidly, tightening the skin and giving the meat its characteristic smooth, springy texture. Skipping this step could result in rubbery or flabby skin.

Best Easy Drunken Chicken Recipe

AI 영양사 앤디