Jake Harper
Steaming chicken in a bamboo steamer basket is a traditional, easy, and healthy way to prepare chicken that preserves its moisture, flavour, and nutritional value. It is a popular cooking method in Chinese cuisine, resulting in dishes that are simple, quick, and tender. This guide will teach you how to steam chicken in a bamboo steamer basket, including the necessary ingredients, preparation, and cooking process. By following these steps, you can create a delicious and nutritious meal with a variety of flavours and ingredients.
Characteristics and Values Table for Steaming Chicken in a Bamboo Steamer Basket
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Chinese, Cantonese |
| Ingredients | Chicken, ginger, green onion, soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, oyster sauce, lemon, cilantro, garlic, chili flakes, thyme, olive oil, baby potatoes, steamed kale |
| Utensils | Bamboo steamer, wok, pot, steamer insert, meat thermometer |
| Preparation | Marinate chicken for 20-30 minutes, line steamer with parchment paper or cabbage leaves, arrange chicken in one layer, ensure adequate water level |
| Cooking Time | 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) |
| Serving Suggestions | Serve with rice, steamed vegetables, and sauce of choice |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the chicken for steaming
Preparing the chicken for steaming is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Firstly, decide which part of the chicken you want to steam. You can steam any part, including breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or even a whole chicken, as long as it fits in your steamer. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. If you are using a whole chicken, you may need to chop it through the bone with a heavy cleaver.
Next, prepare your marinade. A marinade will infuse your chicken with flavour and moisture, and you can experiment with different combinations to find your favourite. A simple marinade might include soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. You can also add ingredients like lemon, cilantro, oyster sauce, rice wine, sherry, sugar, or cornstarch. Once you have combined your chosen ingredients, add the chicken pieces and let them marinate. For the best flavour, leave the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes, or even prepare it in the morning if you have the time.
After your chicken has marinated, it is ready to be placed in the steamer. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the steamer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow for steam circulation. If you are steaming vegetables, place them in a separate basket above the chicken.
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Set up the bamboo steamer
To set up a bamboo steamer, start by lining the steamer baskets with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. You can also lightly spray the basket with oil. Next, arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in the steamer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow for steam circulation. If you are steaming vegetables, place them in another basket above the chicken.
Cover the steamer with a lid and place it over a pot or wok filled with simmering water. The water should reach about one inch up the sides of the pot or wok. As the water heats up, steam rises through the open ridges at the bottom of each basket, cooking the food gently and evenly. Keep an eye on the water level during steaming to prevent it from boiling dry.
Steaming is an easy and healthy way to prepare chicken, retaining its natural flavours and nutrients. It is also a traditional cooking method in Chinese cuisine.
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Steam the chicken
Steaming chicken is a popular cooking method in Chinese cuisine. It is a simple, quick, and healthy way to prepare chicken, preserving its moisture, flavour, and nutritional value. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming chicken in a bamboo steamer basket:
Prepare the Chicken
You can steam any part of the chicken, including breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or even a whole chicken, as long as it fits in your steamer. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure even and fast cooking. For a whole chicken, you may need to increase the steaming time accordingly.
Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, combine soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Add your chicken pieces and let them marinate for at least 20 minutes to absorb the flavours. You can also add other ingredients like lemon, cilantro, oyster sauce, or rice wine for additional flavour.
Line the Steamer Basket
To prevent sticking, line the bamboo steamer basket with parchment paper or cabbage leaves. If using a wok or pot, fill it with enough water and place it on medium-high heat.
Place the Chicken in the Steamer
Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in the steamer basket. Ensure they are not overcrowded to allow for steam circulation. If steaming vegetables, place them in a separate basket above the chicken.
Cover the steamer basket with a lid and place it over the boiling water. Steam the chicken for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, or until it is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (75°C), which you can check with a meat thermometer. Fully cooked chicken will be white in appearance, with no pink colour remaining.
Plate and Serve
Carefully remove the lid and lift the steamer basket from the heat. Serve the steamed chicken over rice or noodles, with steamed vegetables on the side. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!
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Check the chicken is cooked
Checking that your chicken is cooked through is an important step in the steaming process. You should steam the chicken for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. If you are steaming a whole chicken, you may need to double the time to 40 minutes.
To check that the chicken is cooked, look for a change in colour. The chicken should turn white and be fully opaque with no pink colour remaining. Any juices should run clear. You can also check that the chicken is cooked by measuring the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
If you are steaming chicken with vegetables, the chicken and vegetables should be ready at the same time. For example, if you are steaming chicken with broccoli, the broccoli should be placed in the steamer first and steamed for two minutes before the chicken is added. The chicken and broccoli will then steam together for four to six minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
It is important to note that steaming times may vary depending on the type of steamer and heat source used. Always ensure that your chicken is thoroughly cooked before serving.
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Serve the chicken
Once your chicken is steamed, remove the lid and take the steamer off the heat. Be careful of the steam when you do this. You can serve the chicken on its own, or with rice, noodles, or vegetables.
If you're serving the chicken with rice, it's traditional to use jasmine rice. You can also serve it with a side of Asian green beans or bok choy stir fry. For a more filling meal, start with a lighter dish like a bowl of egg drop soup, a fresh cucumber salad, or a crispy Chinese egg roll.
If you steamed your chicken with vegetables, you can serve them alongside the chicken. A popular side dish is steamed broccoli, which can be cooked at the same time as the chicken in a bamboo steamer. You can also serve the chicken with steamed kale and baby potatoes.
If you want to add a sauce to your steamed chicken, you can steam the chicken with a sauce mixture, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens. A lemon sauce can be made by mixing a marinade of ginger, lemon, cilantro, and oyster sauce. After steaming, remove and discard the lemon peels and garnish with the remaining cilantro. You can also squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, along with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
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Frequently asked questions
First, marinate your chicken for at least 20 minutes. You can use a variety of ingredients for the marinade, such as soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. Next, line your steamer basket with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Place the chicken in the steamer, ensuring that it is not overcrowded to allow steam circulation. Cover and steam for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F).
You can use a variety of ingredients to marinate the chicken, such as soy sauce, ginger, garlic, green onion, sesame oil, rice wine, or sherry. You can also experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find your perfect flavour.
Steam the chicken for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.
