If you’ve ever wondered, how do you make drunken chicken? you’re in for a treat. Drunken chicken is a delicious dish that combines tender chicken with the rich, aromatic flavors of wine or liquor, spices, and sometimes fruits or nuts. It’s a dish that’s both comforting and exotic, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a special meal at home.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the basics of making drunken chicken, share a couple of popular recipes, and give you tips to customize it to your taste. Let’s dive in!
What is Drunken Chicken?
Drunken chicken is a name used for several recipes that involve marinating or cooking chicken with alcohol. The most traditional version comes from Chinese cuisine, where the chicken is poached and then soaked in Shaoxing wine (a type of Chinese yellow wine), along with ginger, garlic, and spices. This method imparts a subtle, fragrant booziness to the chicken without overpowering it.
Another popular take, especially in Western kitchens, involves baking chicken breasts in a spiced tomato sauce enriched with sherry or vermouth, combined with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, and finished with crunchy almonds and golden raisins for texture and sweetness.
Classic Chinese Drunken Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
– Whole chicken (about 4 kg), rinsed and dried
– 250 ml Shaoxing wine
– 1 liter chicken stock (salt-reduced)
– 4 spring onions (white parts only)
– 2 cloves garlic, bruised
– 2-inch piece of ginger, sliced
– 2 birdseye chilies
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Red Sauce:
– 4 long red chilies, roughly chopped
– 4 spring onions (green parts)
– 1-inch piece ginger, finely chopped
– 2 teaspoons white sugar
– Juice of 1 lemon
– Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Place the whole chicken breast-side down in a pot that fits snugly.
- Add Shaoxing wine, chicken stock, spring onions, garlic, ginger, and one birdseye chili.
- Add water to cover the chicken by about 2 cm.
- Bring to a light boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 20 minutes, skimming impurities.
- Turn off heat, cover, and let the chicken sit in the liquid for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, blend the red sauce ingredients into a smooth paste.
- Remove chicken, coat with soy sauce and sesame oil, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Carve the chicken, arrange on a platter, drizzle with red sauce, and garnish with finely chopped chili.
- Serve with steamed rice.
This method yields tender, flavorful chicken with a delicate wine aroma that’s perfect for sharing.
Western-Style Drunken Chicken with Sherry Tomato Sauce
Ingredients:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
– 1 (16-ounce) can diced tomatoes
– ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
– ¼ cup light brown sugar
– 1 cup sherry or vermouth
– ½ cup golden raisins
– ½ cup slivered almonds
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then coat with flour.
- Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides.
- Place chicken in casserole dish.
- In the skillet, cook onions until softened. Add parsley, tomatoes (with liquid), cinnamon, cloves, brown sugar, sherry, and raisins. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes.
- Pour sauce over chicken, sprinkle with almonds.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.
This recipe blends sweet, spicy, and savory flavors with a lovely crunch from almonds. It’s a unique twist on baked chicken that’s anything but ordinary.
Tips for Making the Best Drunken Chicken
– Use Shaoxing wine for authentic Chinese flavor; if unavailable, dry sherry or a light white wine works well.
– For the Chinese version, do not rush the resting phase — letting the chicken soak in the wine broth after cooking enhances flavor and tenderness.
– In the Western recipe, fire-roasted canned tomatoes add a smoky depth.
– If you have nut allergies, simply omit the almonds.
– You can prepare the dish ahead of time up to the baking step and finish it fresh when ready to serve.
Why You’ll Love Making Drunken Chicken
– It’s a versatile dish that can be adapted to different flavor profiles.
– The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind complex, rich flavors without being overpowering.
– It’s great for entertaining because it looks and tastes impressive but is easy to prepare.
– The combination of spices, wine, and sometimes fruits or nuts creates a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes.
Drunken chicken is a fantastic dish that brings a touch of elegance and bold flavor to your table. Whether you prefer the traditional Chinese poached style or the Western baked version with sherry tomato sauce, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your cooking repertoire. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!