Beggar's Chicken Recipe

[bini_colet]

Hey foodies! I wanted to share a truly unique and delicious recipe with you all: Beggar's Chicken! This traditional Chinese dish involves marinating and stuffing a whole chicken with herbs and spices, wrapping it in lotus leaves, and baking it in a clay shell. The result? Incredibly tender, flavorful chicken with a stunning presentation. Perfect for impressing your dinner guests! Enjoy!

Ingredients:​

• 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4-5 slices ginger
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4-5 green onions, chopped
• 2-3 dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced
• 2 lotus leaves (available at Asian markets)
• 2-3 cups clay or dough (for encasing the chicken)

Instructions:​

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   • In a large bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
   • Rub the marinade all over the chicken, including inside the cavity.
   • Add ginger slices, minced garlic, chopped green onions, and sliced shiitake mushrooms to the cavity.
   • Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Prepare the Lotus Leaves:
   • Soak the lotus leaves in warm water for about 30 minutes until they become soft and pliable.
   • Pat them dry with a towel.
3. Wrap the Chicken:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Lay out the lotus leaves on a flat surface, overlapping them to create a large wrapping surface.
   • Place the marinated chicken in the center of the leaves and wrap it tightly.
4. Encase in Clay or Dough:
   • Prepare a clay or dough mixture. (You can use store-bought clay or make a simple dough with flour and water.)
   • Roll out the clay/dough to a size that will completely cover the wrapped chicken.
   • Carefully wrap the chicken in the clay/dough, sealing all edges to create a tight seal.
5. Bake the Chicken:
   • Place the clay-wrapped chicken on a baking sheet.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 2-3 hours. The exact time will depend on the size of the chicken.
   • The clay/dough should harden and turn golden brown.
6. Serve:
   • Remove the baked chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
   • Carefully break open the clay/dough shell and peel back the lotus leaves.
   • Serve the tender, aromatic chicken with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.

Enjoy this flavorful and impressive Beggar's Chicken!

 

[bhella]

I love Beggar's Chicken! I think it's such a unique recipe. Do you have any tips for wrapping the chicken in the lotus leaves?

 

[Kerful13]

The title of this recipe sounds kinda intriguing but i love this dish!

 

[mamberx]

I've never tried making it before, but your clear instructions make it seem totally doable. I love how it's packed with flavor and has that wow factor when you serve it by unwrapping the lotus leaves. Can't wait to give this a try for my next special dinner. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Prel]

Hey foodies! I wanted to share a truly unique and delicious recipe with you all: Beggar's Chicken! This traditional Chinese dish involves marinating and stuffing a whole chicken with herbs and spices, wrapping it in lotus leaves, and baking it in a clay shell. The result? Incredibly tender, flavorful chicken with a stunning presentation. Perfect for impressing your dinner guests! Enjoy!
View attachment 3181

Ingredients:​

• 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4-5 slices ginger
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4-5 green onions, chopped
• 2-3 dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced
• 2 lotus leaves (available at Asian markets)
• 2-3 cups clay or dough (for encasing the chicken)

Instructions:​

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   • In a large bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
   • Rub the marinade all over the chicken, including inside the cavity.
   • Add ginger slices, minced garlic, chopped green onions, and sliced shiitake mushrooms to the cavity.
   • Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Prepare the Lotus Leaves:
   • Soak the lotus leaves in warm water for about 30 minutes until they become soft and pliable.
   • Pat them dry with a towel.
3. Wrap the Chicken:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Lay out the lotus leaves on a flat surface, overlapping them to create a large wrapping surface.
   • Place the marinated chicken in the center of the leaves and wrap it tightly.
4. Encase in Clay or Dough:
   • Prepare a clay or dough mixture. (You can use store-bought clay or make a simple dough with flour and water.)
   • Roll out the clay/dough to a size that will completely cover the wrapped chicken.
   • Carefully wrap the chicken in the clay/dough, sealing all edges to create a tight seal.
5. Bake the Chicken:
   • Place the clay-wrapped chicken on a baking sheet.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 2-3 hours. The exact time will depend on the size of the chicken.
   • The clay/dough should harden and turn golden brown.
6. Serve:
   • Remove the baked chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
   • Carefully break open the clay/dough shell and peel back the lotus leaves.
   • Serve the tender, aromatic chicken with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.

Enjoy this flavorful and impressive Beggar's Chicken!

I love the idea of marinating the chicken with herbs and spices and baking it in a clay shell. Can't wait to give it a try at my next dinner party!

 

[Idris]

Hey foodies! I wanted to share a truly unique and delicious recipe with you all: Beggar's Chicken! This traditional Chinese dish involves marinating and stuffing a whole chicken with herbs and spices, wrapping it in lotus leaves, and baking it in a clay shell. The result? Incredibly tender, flavorful chicken with a stunning presentation. Perfect for impressing your dinner guests! Enjoy!
View attachment 3181

Ingredients:​

• 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4-5 slices ginger
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4-5 green onions, chopped
• 2-3 dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced
• 2 lotus leaves (available at Asian markets)
• 2-3 cups clay or dough (for encasing the chicken)

Instructions:​

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   • In a large bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
   • Rub the marinade all over the chicken, including inside the cavity.
   • Add ginger slices, minced garlic, chopped green onions, and sliced shiitake mushrooms to the cavity.
   • Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Prepare the Lotus Leaves:
   • Soak the lotus leaves in warm water for about 30 minutes until they become soft and pliable.
   • Pat them dry with a towel.
3. Wrap the Chicken:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Lay out the lotus leaves on a flat surface, overlapping them to create a large wrapping surface.
   • Place the marinated chicken in the center of the leaves and wrap it tightly.
4. Encase in Clay or Dough:
   • Prepare a clay or dough mixture. (You can use store-bought clay or make a simple dough with flour and water.)
   • Roll out the clay/dough to a size that will completely cover the wrapped chicken.
   • Carefully wrap the chicken in the clay/dough, sealing all edges to create a tight seal.
5. Bake the Chicken:
   • Place the clay-wrapped chicken on a baking sheet.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 2-3 hours. The exact time will depend on the size of the chicken.
   • The clay/dough should harden and turn golden brown.
6. Serve:
   • Remove the baked chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
   • Carefully break open the clay/dough shell and peel back the lotus leaves.
   • Serve the tender, aromatic chicken with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.

Enjoy this flavorful and impressive Beggar's Chicken!

This Beggar's Chicken recipe looks incredible! I've always wanted to try making it at home. Thanks for sharing!