Qin’s Chinese Chicken Barbecue
About this recipe
The spring has settled in, a season where nature seems to overflow with life and vibrant colors! It's the perfect time for me to immerse myself in my garden, a haven of peace where time seems to stand still
And among the unavoidable tasks, there's one that skillfully combines art and science: pruning my olive tree
My dogs, Rubi and Sapic, make the most of every moment in the garden, savoring the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the grass, and playing.
This spring, new flowers emerge, a gentle reminder of the beauty and magic of nature
The barbecue season is also officially open! There's nothing like a good day in the garden with friends, dogs, and plenty of Californian sunshine to enjoy a relaxing time
All BBQ recipes are HERE
Source of the recipe
I've got this recipe since I met my Chinese friend Qin, a lovely work colleague in Germany, Baden Wurtemberg, south of Stuttgart
Between the cold weather, the boring local cuisine, and sometimes cold German people, my life was not always comfortable
However, in this cold Germany, my friend Qin brought a lot of insightful culinary experiences, and to this day, I remember with great joy all the dishes I explored with her
My friend Qin taught me how she was making her Chinese BBQ Chicken, and not only were they delicious, they were also so simple to prepare !
Who would have thought that a Chinese friend would teach me great barbecues in... Germany ??
Modifications to the original recipe
I modified only a few things...
● Qin used to add some Maltose, but not too easy to find, so I converted the recipe with Honey
Asian Ingredients
I urge you to buy Chinese ingredients in an Asian supermarket, and not at your local store. Not only it is one secret that will make your recipe taste really good like in restaurants, but it is also often cheaper...
99 Ranch Market
345 E Main St
Alhambra
CA 91801
USA
Hoisin Sauce
The Hoisin Sauce is used in China for barbecues
Soy sauce
The Soy Sauce is an ingredient you can find in any supermarket
However, I like to purchase this "mushroom soy sauce" from the brand "Healthy Boy", I find it really tastier than any other sauce.
Rice Vinegar
The Rice Vinegar is obtained by fermentation of rice alcohol. You need to buy it from an Asian store, or over the internet
You will find several colors at the supermarket. If you can, buy a red one which will give a fragrant color to the meat
My brand is "Huang Chiew"
Sesame Oil
Sesame Oil can be easily found in supermarkets
Five spices
the 5 Spices Powder is a fine powder that adds a lot of Chinese flavor, I would not skip that one, as it adds a fine taste to the recipe!
Let's get started!
1. For the meat, I take Chicken Thighs (1 ¾lbs or 800 g), but you may use other meats. I tried this recipe with Pork, and that worked beautifully as well
2. Cut the Chicken Thighs (1 ¾lbs or 800 g)
3. Slice in half the Garlic Cloves (4)
4. Rub the Chicken Thighs (1 ¾lbs or 800 g) with the Garlic Cloves
The marinade
5. The sauce is so simple to make ! Simply mix in a bowl: the Honey (6 tablespoons), the Hoisin Sauce (3 tablespoons), the Soy Sauce (3 tablespoons), the Rice Vinegar (2 tablespoons), the Sesame Oil (1 tablespoon) and the 5 Spices Powder (1 teaspoon)
6-Inch Stainless Steel Mixing BowlLarge Mixing Bowls, Stainless Steel
6. Peel and grate some Ginger Root
7. To peel the Ginger Root, simply use a spoon, not a peeler ! Then grate it, or even use a small food processor like this one
8. Combine everything in a large bowl
9. Start to smell delish !
Marinade
10. Add in the the Chicken Thighs (1 ¾lbs or 800 g) and mix with your hands or with a fork, and make sure the meat is entirely coated with the marinade sauce
11. Cover and marinate overnight in the fridge, 4 hours at least! Time is your secret to master marinades...
12. If you can, toss the meat from time to time
Barbecu'ing
13. Time to cook ! 1 hour before cooking, take the meat out of the fridge so it is tempered by the time you cook
14. Grill over direct heat until browned
15. You may use an oven, even if you will get better results with a barbecue
Weber 4-Burner Gas GrillWeber Liquid Propane Small GrillWeber Charcoal Grill
16. You may use a bit of oil, in that case choose Sesame Oil
17. In fact, I use a barbecue griddle that makes it easier to keep my barbecue clean. Most griddles go to the dishwasher
Avocado Oil SprayNonstick Cast Iron GriddleReversible Cast Iron Round Griddle
18. After a few minutes, flip the meat
19. Do not worry about the dark spots, they come from the sugar in the sauce that caramelizes
20. Press hard on the meat to extract the juice to fully cook the meat
21. While the meat cooks, the marinade dries up: Coat the meat with extra marinade with a brush
22. Beautiful colors, he?
Pastry BrushSilicone Brush, Heat Resistant for Pastry and Barbecue
Cutting the meat
23. Chinese cooks cut the meat before it's served
24. Small cuts make it more convenient to eat with chopsticks !
Non-Slip Cutting BoardsOak cutting boardSekiryu Santoku Japanese Knife4 Japanese Knives
Thanks my friend peace from malaysian...