Whole Soy Sauce Braised Chicken with Kelp
Nourishing Whole Chicken Braised with Kelp and Soy Sauce for the New Year
Celebrate the start of the New Year with this special chicken dish, perfect for sharing with loved ones. This whole chicken, braised without cutting, is infused with the savory depth of soy sauce and the subtle oceanic notes of kelp, offering a uniquely rich and clean flavor. The traditional method of preparing the chicken whole symbolizes abundance and good health for the year ahead.
Main Ingredients- 1 whole chicken (approx. 1.2kg)
- 1 handful dried kelp (approx. 10g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, it’s crucial to thoroughly remove the blood from the chicken. Soak the whole chicken in cold water for about 30 minutes to drain the blood. Make 2-3 shallow cuts on the chicken’s surface; this helps the marinade penetrate better and speeds up cooking. Pour boiling water over the chicken, inside and out, to completely remove any excess fat. This process makes the skin chewy and renders out the fat hidden beneath, resulting in a more delicious and clean-tasting chicken.
Step 2
Lightly rinse the dried kelp under cold water and soak it for about 30 minutes to rehydrate. You can also use the kelp directly without soaking, but rehydrating it makes it softer and enhances its flavor.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the delicious braising sauce. In a large bowl, combine the soy sauce, water, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onion, sesame oil, and black pepper. Stir well until all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
Step 4
Place the chicken, from which the blood and excess fat have been removed, into the bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the prepared sauce over the chicken and coat it thoroughly. Be sure to spread the sauce inside the chicken cavity as well. Place the chicken with the breast side up and let it marinate for about 1 hour. Then, flip it over so the back side is up and marinate for another 30 minutes. This extended marination allows the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
Step 5
Add a little water to your steamer and place a steamer rack on top. Arrange the marinated chicken on the rack. Cover and steam for about 20 minutes. Using a steamer rack helps to effectively drain away any remaining chicken fat during this initial steaming. This first steaming step makes the chicken even more tender and clean-tasting.
Step 6
After steaming the chicken for 20 minutes, discard the rendered fat from the steamer. Remove the steamer rack and place the steamed chicken back into the steamer. Now, arrange the rehydrated kelp around the chicken. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the chicken and kelp. Cover again and steam for another 20 minutes. Steaming without the rack the second time ensures that the sauce and kelp flavors are fully absorbed by the chicken, creating a richer taste.
Step 7
This ‘Whole Soy Sauce Braised Chicken with Kelp’ is a wonderful dish to serve on your New Year’s table. Traditionally, whole chicken dishes were enjoyed at the New Year to wish for good fortune. Adding kelp during the braising process creates a fantastic harmony between the chicken’s mild flavor and the kelp’s savory umami. The chicken itself is wonderfully tender with a balanced seasoning, delicious on its own. Enjoying it with the soft kelp or alongside crisp kimchi makes for an even more delightful meal. With a little pre-marination, this dish is surprisingly easy to make, so why not try it as your special New Year’s centerpiece!
