How to Make Chicken with Shiitake Mushrooms
Chicken cooked with shiitake mushrooms is incredibly fragrant, as the sweet and earthy aroma of the mushrooms infuses the chicken, making it more flavorful. This braised chicken dish has a rich taste and pairs perfectly with rice.
Ingredients
- 750g free-range chicken
- 150g fresh shiitake mushrooms
- 5-7g dried shiitake mushrooms
- 2-3 shallots, 1 knob of ginger
- A few chili peppers for heat
- Green onions, 2-3 kaffir lime leaves
- Coarse salt
- Seasonings: fish sauce, seasoning powder, MSG, soy sauce, ground pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
Rub the chicken with coarse salt and ginger wine (if available) to clean and remove any odor. Rinse thoroughly and let it drain. Then, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes to enhance its flavor with the following ingredients:
- 1/2 tablespoon seasoning powder
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil to keep the chicken tender
- A pinch of ground pepper
Prepare the Shiitake Mushrooms and Other Ingredients
For this dish, you can use either dried or fresh shiitake mushrooms, or both.
For dried shiitake mushrooms, soak them until soft, then rinse, trim the tough stems, and cut into halves or thirds, depending on their size.
For fresh shiitake mushrooms, trim the stems and cut them in half or thirds, then soak them in a bowl of saltwater for 2-3 minutes. Rinse well and drain.
Shiitake mushrooms are also known as fragrant mushrooms or Chinese mushrooms. You can use rice water to soak the mushrooms, which cleans them without leaving an earthy odor.
Mince the shallots and ginger, and crush the chili peppers. Add a small portion of these to the chicken marinade for extra flavor, and set the rest aside for stir-frying the chicken later.
Chop the green onions, and thinly slice the kaffir lime leaves. The lime leaves will give the dish a light, fresh aroma.
Cook the Chicken with Shiitake Mushrooms
Heat 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan, then sauté the shallots, ginger, and chili until fragrant and golden.
Once the aromatics are golden, drizzle in a little fish sauce to intensify the fragrance.
Add the chicken, increase the heat, and stir-fry until the chicken is seared and aromatic.
Once the chicken is seared, add water to the pan. Adjust the amount of water depending on how much sauce you prefer, but usually, the water should just cover the chicken.
When the broth comes to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer. Cover the pot and cook for about 15 minutes until the chicken is tender and absorbs the flavor.
After 15 minutes, add the mushrooms, stir well, and season with seasoning powder, soy sauce, and a pinch of MSG. Adjust the seasoning to taste based on your family's preferences. Cover the pot again and cook for another 10 minutes.
Finally, add the chopped green onions and kaffir lime leaves, and season with a little more fish sauce if needed. Since the mushrooms tend to absorb more salt than the chicken, taste and adjust the seasoning before turning off the heat. Sprinkle with ground pepper and cook for another 5-6 seconds, then remove from heat.
This chicken with shiitake mushrooms dish is incredibly fragrant. The chicken is rich and flavorful, and the sauce is thick and savory, perfect for serving with rice.
Besides chicken braised with shiitake mushrooms, you can also try stir-fried chicken with shiitake or steamed chicken with shiitake for equally delicious results.
