Spicy Soy Braised Chicken Drumettes: Perfect Rice Side Dish & Appetizer
Spicy & Sweet Soy Braised Chicken Drumettes Recipe
Introducing a delicious spicy, sweet, and savory soy-braised chicken dish made with tender chicken thigh meat (no dry parts!) and flavorful drumettes. This dish is incredibly versatile, perfect as a comforting side for rice, a delightful snack for kids, and an excellent accompaniment to alcoholic beverages. The combination of chewy glass noodles, tender vegetables, and glistening chicken creates an unforgettable culinary experience.
Main Ingredients- Chicken thigh meat 500g
- Chicken drumettes 300g
- Flat glass noodles 100g (about a handful)
- Sweet potato 1 (medium size)
- Bell pepper 1 (any color)
- Onion 1/2
- Shiitake mushrooms 5
- Garlic chives 5-6 stalks
- Cheongyang chili peppers 3 (adjust for spice)
- Minced garlic 2 Tbsp
Flavorful Braising Sauce- Soy sauce 80ml
- Sugar 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking wine) 3 Tbsp
- Ginger syrup 3 Tbsp (or plum syrup 3 Tbsp)
- Oyster sauce 2/3 Tbsp
- Rice syrup (or corn syrup/oligosaccharide) 1 Tbsp
- Salt a pinch
- Sesame oil 1/2 Tbsp
- Black pepper a little
- Water 300ml
- Soy sauce 80ml
- Sugar 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking wine) 3 Tbsp
- Ginger syrup 3 Tbsp (or plum syrup 3 Tbsp)
- Oyster sauce 2/3 Tbsp
- Rice syrup (or corn syrup/oligosaccharide) 1 Tbsp
- Salt a pinch
- Sesame oil 1/2 Tbsp
- Black pepper a little
- Water 300ml
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare about a handful of flat glass noodles. Soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes. This crucial step ensures they become chewy and don’t break apart easily during cooking. Set aside the soaked noodles for later use.
Step 2
Let’s prepare the vegetables and other ingredients. Peel the sweet potato and cut it into 4 pieces, then slice each piece into about 1cm thick pieces (not too thick). Cut the onion into 4 wedges and then into bite-sized pieces. Remove the top and bottom of the bell pepper, cut it into 4 wedges, remove the seeds, and chop into manageable pieces. Gently wipe the shiitake mushrooms clean with a paper towel, trim off the very end of the tough stem, and cut them into 4 pieces. Trim both ends of the garlic chives and cut them into 2-3cm lengths.
Step 3
Finely mince the Cheongyang chili peppers to add a spicy kick. Mincing them finely will prevent overly intense bursts of heat when you bite into the dish.
Step 4
Cut the green onions into 3-4cm lengths. Halving them lengthwise helps them absorb the sauce better.
Step 5
Rinse the chicken drumettes and thigh meat thoroughly under running water, about twice. This ensures they are clean and fresh.
Step 6
Place the washed chicken pieces into the pot where you’ll be braising them. Using both drumettes and thigh meat adds a delightful variety of textures.
Step 7
Arrange the cut sweet potatoes nicely over the chicken. The sweet potato will add a touch of sweetness and pair wonderfully with the chicken.
Step 8
Add the sliced onion over the chicken and sweet potato. Onions contribute a lovely sweetness as they cook down.
Step 9
Scatter the colorful bell peppers on top. You can substitute bell peppers with red chili peppers for color, or add a bit of carrot for extra sweetness. Feel free to use any vegetables you have on hand.
Step 10
Don’t forget to add the garlic chives, cut into 2-3cm lengths. Their unique slightly pungent flavor and crisp texture enhance the overall dish. If you don’t have garlic chives, you can omit them.
Step 11
Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms. Their deep umami flavor will enrich the braising sauce. Feel free to use other mushrooms like oyster or king oyster mushrooms if you prefer.
Step 12
Generously add the 2 Tbsp of minced garlic. Garlic’s aromatic quality helps to eliminate any gaminess from the chicken and adds depth to the flavor. Alternatively, you can use sliced garlic cloves instead of minced garlic and garlic chives.
Step 13
Now, pour the pre-made delicious braising sauce all over the ingredients in the pot. Ensure everything is generously coated for maximum flavor infusion.
Step 14
Pour in 200ml of the total 300ml of water first, ensuring the ingredients are submerged. The sauce will thicken and concentrate in flavor as it cooks.
Step 15
Begin by bringing the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Gently shake the pot or stir occasionally to ensure the ingredients absorb the sauce evenly. If the sauce seems to be reducing too quickly, add the remaining 100ml of water. Continue to add small amounts of water if needed to maintain your desired consistency while cooking.
Step 16
Once the ingredients are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly, add the soaked flat glass noodles. Let them simmer in the sauce for about 10 more minutes. You can add the green onions at the same time as the noodles, or add them about 5 minutes later to keep them slightly crisp. Continue to add water gradually if the sauce becomes too thick.
Step 17
Voila! Your mouthwatering spicy, sweet, and savory braised chicken drumettes are ready! Savor the delightful combination of chewy chicken, springy glass noodles, and tender vegetables. This dish is guaranteed to make you want more than just one bowl of rice!
