How to Boil Chicken Deliciously and Flavorfully with Scallions and Ginger
Steps to follow:
Step 1: Prepare a fresh chicken or frozen chicken. After cleaning and prepping, wash the chicken thoroughly and let it drain. Next, wash the scallions and ginger, then finely chop the scallions.
Step 2: Place the chicken into a pot, then rub cooking wine evenly over the entire chicken. Stuff some shredded scallions and ginger into the chicken cavity. Sprinkle additional finely chopped scallions and ginger over the chicken and marinate for about 30 minutes to remove any fishy smell and help the flavors absorb into the meat.
Step 3: Bring a pot of water to a boil, then quickly blanch the chicken for about 10 seconds and remove it immediately. Repeat this process 3 times to help firm up the chicken meat.
Step 4: After the third blanch, leave the chicken in the pot, add scallions, shredded ginger, salt, cooking wine, and gardenia fruit (to create a yellow color for the chicken). Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, then turn off the heat and let the chicken soak in the pot for an additional 15 minutes. Use chopsticks to check; if no red liquid appears, the chicken is fully cooked.
Step 5: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it and immediately soak it in ice water for 3 minutes. The sudden change in temperature will help tighten the skin and enhance the flavor. After the chicken cools, remove it, drain, cut into pieces, plate it, and enjoy with dipping sauce.
Tips for Boiling Chicken Perfectly
Choose fresh chicken:
Opt for free-range or backyard chicken for firmer, sweeter meat that won’t become mushy. The chicken should be fresh, with no bad odor or signs of spoilage.
Marinate before boiling:
Before boiling, rub a bit of salt and crushed ginger over the chicken and let it rest for 15–20 minutes. This helps remove unpleasant smells and gives the chicken a more fragrant taste.
Boil chicken starting with cold water:
Place the chicken in the pot and pour in enough cold water to cover it, then turn on the heat. Cold water helps the chicken cook evenly from the inside out.
Do not cover the pot tightly:
When the water begins to boil, lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Do not cover tightly, as letting steam escape prevents the chicken from becoming tough.
Add aromatics to the boiling water:
To enhance flavor and remove odors, add a few slices of ginger, shallots, and a bit of salt to the boiling water.
Monitor cooking time:
Cooking time depends on the size of the chicken, typically 30–40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting chopsticks into the thigh—if no red liquid comes out, the chicken is done.
Soak chicken in cold water after boiling:
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it and soak it in cold water for a few minutes. This keeps the skin firm, the meat tender, and prevents dryness.
By applying these tips, you'll achieve beautifully boiled chicken—fragrant, tender, flavorful, and free of any unpleasant smell.
If you'd like, I can also turn this into a simplified recipe card or a more concise version!
