Braised Chicken with Onions (洋蔥燘雞)
洋蔥燘雞, or Braised Chicken with Onions, is a comforting dish where the sweetness of onions complements the savory depth of chicken, all simmered together to create a hearty and flavorful meal. Here’s how to prepare it:
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken cut into pieces (or about 600g chicken thighs or drumsticks)
- 3-4 large onions thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 teaspoon sugar to balance flavors
- Optional garnishes: chopped green onions or fresh cilantro
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- If using a whole chicken, cut it into serving-sized pieces. For thighs or drumsticks, you can leave them whole. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Brown the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken pieces in batches, skin-side down, and cook until browned on both sides. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Sauté the Onions:
- In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of oil.
- Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt, then sauté until they start to soften and turn translucent. For added sweetness, you can continue cooking until they are lightly caramelized.
Add Garlic and Ginger:
- Add the minced garlic and ginger to the onions, cooking until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Deglaze:
- Pour in a little chicken broth or water to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
Return the Chicken to the Pot:
- Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot with the onions.
Add Liquids:
- Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and the rest of the chicken broth or water. If you like, add a teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors.
Braise:
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Season:
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve:
- Serve the braised chicken and onions hot, garnished with chopped green onions or fresh cilantro if desired. This dish goes wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
