Star Anise and Ginger Braised Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 pounds bone-in
skin-on chicken pieces or 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breast, whatever kind you please
- Sea salt
- 1-inch piece ginger
peeled and cut into thin strips
- 3 garlic cloves
thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup Chinese rice wine)
(in a pinch you could use dry sherry or sake
- 1/2 cup homemade chicken stock
low-sodium canned chicken broth, or water
- 1 tablespoon runny honey
- 1 star anise
- 1/4 cup light or low-sodium soy sauce)
(trust us you really want to use low-sodium soy sauce here
- 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh clementine or orange juice
if desired
- 2 scallions
white and green parts
Directions
- 1
To make the Star Anise and Ginger Braised Chicken in your slow cooker, see the Slow Cooker Variation below.To make the Star Anise and Ginger Braised Chicken on your stovetop, heat the oil in a large saucepan. If desired, remove the skin from the chicken. Place the chicken in the pan, skin-side down, being careful not to crowd the pieces. (You may need to work in batches.) Cook until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and season lightly with salt.
- 2
Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the pan. Add the ginger, garlic, rice wine, stock or water, honey, star anise, and soy sauce to the pan and bring to a boil. Add the clementine juice and the chicken, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer very gently for 15 minutes.
- 3
Then turn the chicken pieces and continue to simmer gently until cooked through, about 5 minutes more, depending on the size of the chicken pieces. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a plate.
- 4
Skim any fat from the surface of the sauce. Take a sip of the sauce and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Return the liquid to a simmer and reduce slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. (Be mindful that reducing it too much could cause the sauce to seem quite salty.)
- 5
Remove and discard the star anise. Return the chicken to the pan and turn to coat it in the sauce. Sprinkle with the scallions.
Star Anise and Ginger Braised Chicken
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply savory and aromatic meal that feels both comforting and a little exotic? This Star Anise and Ginger Braised Chicken delivers a healthy, flavor-packed experience, filling your kitchen with irresistible scents as it cooks.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe stands out for its elegant simplicity and profound flavor. By braising chicken with aromatic ginger and star anise in a soy-based liquid, you create a dish where every component infuses deeply, resulting in incredibly tender chicken and a rich, complex sauce. It's a testament to how humble ingredients can create something truly special, all in a single pot.
What to Expect
You'll be greeted by tender, succulent chicken bathed in a glossy, savory sauce with a delicate sweetness from honey and a bright finish if you add the clementine or orange juice. The distinct, warm spice of star anise beautifully complements the pungent fresh ginger and garlic. It’s a harmonious blend of flavors that makes for a satisfying and wonderfully aromatic meal, perfect for any evening.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to adapt the chicken to your preference; the recipe works beautifully with either bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces or boneless chicken breast. If you don't have Chinese rice wine, dry sherry or sake make excellent substitutes in a pinch. For a touch of bright acidity and citrus zest, include the fresh clementine or orange juice. You can also adjust the amount of scallions to your liking for garnish.
Serving & Context
This Star Anise and Ginger Braised Chicken is a fantastic centerpiece for a cozy family dinner. Serve it simply with steamed white or brown rice to soak up all the flavorful braising liquid, perhaps alongside a side of steamed greens to complete your meal.