Try This Delightful Steamed Ginger Chicken: A Comforting Delight!

Steamed ginger chicken is a dish deeply rooted in Asian cuisine.

This light and fragrant recipe highlights a gentle cooking method that keeps the chicken’s natural flavors and nutrients intact.

Ginger takes center stage, adding its warm, slightly spicy touch to create a perfect blend of taste and aroma.

By steaming the chicken, it stays incredibly moist and tender, allowing the spices to seep into every part of the meat.

Both beginners in the kitchen and seasoned cooks love this recipe for its simplicity and healthy preparation.

Nutritious yet satisfying, steamed ginger chicken offers a balanced meal that pleases your taste buds while nurturing your body.

Great Sides For Steamed Ginger Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A light, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the delicate ginger and savory chicken flavors, cutting through the richness with its bright acidity.
• Match with Jasmine Rice: Soft, fragrant jasmine rice absorbs the flavorful chicken juices, creating a harmonious base that enhances the dish's delicate ginger and umami notes.
• Combine with Fresh Asian Slaw: A crunchy slaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a tangy rice vinegar dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the steamed chicken's tender texture.
• Serve with Green Tea: A hot cup of green tea cleanses the palate, balances the dish's richness, and echoes the subtle Asian flavors of the ginger-infused chicken.

Fun Ways To Vary Steamed Ginger Chicken

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace oyster sauce and soy sauce with gluten-free tamari sauce and coconut aminos for a celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Sodium Option: Swap regular soy sauce with reduced-sodium soy sauce and eliminate added salt to decrease sodium content.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use olive oil instead of sesame oil for those with dairy sensitivities and ensure all ingredients are dairy-free.
• Mushroom-Free Version: Skip shiitake mushrooms and add diced carrots or bell peppers for extra vegetable nutrition and crunch.

FAQs For Steamed Ginger Chicken

• What role does cornstarch play in the marinade?

Cornstarch helps tenderize the chicken and creates a silky, smooth coating that locks in moisture, preventing the meat from becoming dry during steaming.

• Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but thighs are more flavorful and tender. If using breasts, reduce steaming time to prevent overcooking and drying out.

• Why is steaming recommended for this chicken dish?

Steaming preserves the chicken’s natural juices, creates a delicate texture, and allows the flavors of ginger, soy sauce, and oyster sauce to infuse deeply into the meat without adding extra fat.

• How do shiitake mushrooms enhance the dish?

Shiitake mushrooms add an umami, earthy flavor that complements the ginger and chicken, providing additional depth and a rich, savory taste to the overall dish.

Why Steamed Ginger Chicken Feels So Light

• Speedy Family Meal: This chicken recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners when time is tight.
• Minimal Cooking Skills Required: Beginners can easily master this recipe with simple marinating and steaming steps, requiring no advanced culinary techniques or complicated equipment.
• Healthy Comfort Food: Steaming preserves nutrients and reduces added fats, creating a light yet satisfying dish that delivers delicious flavors without heavy cooking methods.
• Versatile Ingredient Swap: Home cooks can customize the recipe by using different proteins like fish or tofu, and adjusting seasonings to match personal taste preferences or dietary needs.

Ingredients For Steamed Ginger Chicken

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that absorbs marinade beautifully, boneless cuts work best for even cooking.

• Ginger, Spring Onion, Shiitake Mushrooms: Fresh, aromatic ingredients that add depth and fragrance to the dish, thinly sliced for even distribution.

• Sesame Oil, Oyster Sauce, Soy Sauce, Salt, Pepper: Provide rich umami flavor and help tenderize the chicken, choose high-quality sauces for best results.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a silky texture and helps sauce cling to the chicken.

How To Cook Steamed Ginger Chicken

Step 1: Blend Flavorful Marinade

• Sesame oil
• Oyster sauce
• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage the seasonings thoroughly into the chicken, ensuring each piece is completely coated. Let the chicken absorb these rich flavors for about 15 minutes.

Step 2: Chop Supporting Ingredients

• Fresh ginger root
• Green onions
• Shiitake mushrooms

Create delicate, uniform cuts to help ingredients cook evenly and distribute flavor.

Step 3: Create Steaming Setup

Place a bamboo steamer or metal steamer basket inside a large wok or deep pot. Fill the bottom with water, ensuring it doesn’t touch the steamer base. Arrange marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Scatter sliced ginger, green onions, and mushrooms across the top.

Step 4: Steam To Perfection

Cover with a tight-fitting lid and steam over medium-high heat. Cook for approximately 25-30 minutes until chicken becomes tender and fully cooked. Check water levels periodically, adding more hot water if needed.

Step 5: Present And Savor

Transfer steamed chicken to a beautiful serving plate. Spoon any remaining cooking juices over the top. Garnish with additional fresh green onions. Serve immediately alongside fluffy white rice or fragrant jasmine rice.

Tips For Perfect Steamed Ginger Chicken

• Boost Flavor Depth: Add extra minced garlic to the marinade for a more complex taste profile.
• Perfect Moisture Control: Pat chicken dry before marinating to help seasonings adhere better and prevent excess water during steaming.
• Elevate Umami: Use dark soy sauce instead of regular for a richer, deeper color and more intense flavor.
• Choose Quality Chicken: Select bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum tenderness and juiciness during steaming.
• Maximize Aromatics: Spread fresh ginger slices directly on top of chicken to infuse maximum flavor while steaming.

How To Store And Reheat Steamed Ginger Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover steamed ginger chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap chicken tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, preserving quality for up to 2 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm chicken in a covered skillet with a splash of water or chicken broth over medium-low heat, stirring gently to prevent drying out.
• Microwave Tip: Sprinkle a few drops of water over the chicken, cover with a damp paper towel, and reheat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed.

Aromatic Steamed Ginger Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delicate Chinese “Steamed Ginger Chicken” brings silky tender meat infused with aromatic ginger and delicate herbs. Gentle cooking preserves delicious flavors, making this classic dish perfect for simple, elegant dining with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 6 chicken thighs, sliced into thirds
• 3 shiitake mushrooms, sliced

Aromatics and Herbs:

• 2 segments ginger, sliced
• 1 spring onion, sliced

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 ½ tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

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Instructions

1. Combine chicken thighs with sesame oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a mixing vessel, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the aromatic marinade.
2. Delicately slice fresh ginger into thin, translucent strips, finely chop spring onions, and carefully slice shiitake mushrooms to create elegant garnish layers.
3. Arrange marinated chicken in a single layer within a steaming basket, then strategically distribute ginger, spring onions, and mushroom slices across the top of the meat.
4. Position the steaming basket over a simmering water bath, cover securely, and maintain medium-high heat for precisely 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to become tender and infused with fragrant herb essences.
5. Once cooking concludes, carefully remove the steaming basket and transfer the succulent chicken to a serving platter, ensuring the delicate herb garnishes remain beautifully positioned.
6. Present the steamed ginger chicken immediately alongside fluffy steamed rice, allowing the rich, savory juices to enhance the accompanying grain.

Notes

• Adjust steaming time based on chicken thickness to ensure even, juicy cooking without drying out the meat.
• Use fresh ginger for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic profile in the dish.
• Select bone-in chicken thighs for richer taste and more tender texture compared to boneless cuts.
• Substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder for gluten-free version, maintaining the same marinade consistency and tenderizing effect.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Steaming
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1100 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg