Today's RECIPE is Braised Chicken with Chestnuts. If you love the nutty flavor imparted by the chestnuts, you'll love this dish. It is a simple dish but packed with flavor.

Recipe by Mama Ding

Total Time | 1 hr 15 mins

Prep Time | 15 mins + 30 mins marination

Cook Time | 30 mins

Servings : 6 - 8

Ingredients

1 kg (3.3 lbs) chicken thighs; cleaned and chopped into bite-sized pieces
30 g (1/4 cup) ginger; peeled and sliced
4 cloves garlic; peeled and smashed
1 sprig spring onion for garnish; chopped (optional)
2 cups dried chestnuts; soaked in hot water till soft*
8 medium-sized dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked till soft then snip off the stumps and cut into half (reserve the soaking liquid)
500 ml (2 cup) water or chicken stock
cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp corn starch + 2 tbsp water)
3 tbsp cooking oil
For the marinade~
2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine**
2 tsp chicken stock powder
1 tsp white pepper powder
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp corn starch
For the seasoning, mix together~
1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
1 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil

Method

01 In a large bowl, place the chicken pieces and add all the ingredients for the marinade. Mix well and set aside for 30 mins or longer.

02 When the chicken is ready, heat a wok/pan. Heat up 3 tbsp cooking oil and add the sliced ginger. Stir fry until slightly browned, about 3 - 4 mins. When ginger is browned, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces including the marinade liquid. Cook on high heat for 2 -3 mins, stirring constantly.

03 Add the smashed garlic and stir fry for 1 min. Add the chestnuts and mushrooms. Stir to mix well. Add all the ingredients for the seasoning. Stir fry for 1 min and add the water/stock and the mushroom soaking liquid. Bring to the boil. Then lower the heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 25 mins. Stir every 5 mins.

04 Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference. Add the cornstarch slurry. Bring to the boil again while stirring. Turn off heat. Dish up and garnish. Serve with rice.

Notes

*We used dried chestnuts, fresh or frozen chestnuts can also be used. Prepping dried chestnuts can be a bit tedious. After soaking, you need to pick out the tiny pieces of skin with a toothpick.
**If you don't have Chinese cooking wine (Huatiao wine), you can use sherry or cooking sake. If you prefer it alcohol-free...just omit the wine.