Cantonese Steamed Chicken with Shiitake Mushrooms and Goji Berries
A nourishing and flavorful steamed chicken dish, this Cantonese classic features tender chicken marinated and steamed with rehydrated shiitake mushrooms and sweet goji berries. It's a comforting dish often prepared for family meals and believed to have restorative properties.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on Chicken thighs(about 1.5 lbs total)
- 6 large Dried shiitake mushrooms
- 2 tbsp Goji berries
- 3 slices Ginger(thinly sliced)
- 2 stalks Scallions(cut into 2-inch sections)
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp White pepper
- 1/4 cup Water(for steaming)
- 1 tsp Cornstarch(optional, for thickening sauce)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rehydrate the dried shiitake mushrooms by soaking them in warm water for at least 30 minutes, or until softened. Squeeze out excess water and discard the tough stems. Slice the mushroom caps.
- 2
Rinse the goji berries under cold water.
- 3
In a bowl, combine the chicken thighs, sliced shiitake mushrooms, goji berries, ginger slices, scallion sections, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and white pepper. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- 4
Arrange the marinated chicken and mushrooms in a heatproof dish. Add about 1/4 cup of water to the bottom of the dish to create steam.
- 5
Place the dish in a steamer basket over a wok or pot of boiling water. Cover and steam for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- 6
Carefully remove the dish from the steamer. If desired, you can thicken the steaming liquid into a sauce by pouring it into a small saucepan, adding the cornstarch slurry, and simmering until slightly thickened.
- 7
Serve the steamed chicken and mushrooms hot, drizzled with the sauce if prepared.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking the thickest part for doneness.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a few slices of fresh ginger and a splash of Shaoxing wine directly onto the chicken before steaming.
- ✓If you don't have fresh scallions, you can use dried ones, but fresh is preferred for aroma.
🔄 Variations
- Add other dried ingredients like wood ear mushrooms or dried lily buds for added texture and flavor.
- Use chicken breast instead of thighs, but be careful not to overcook to prevent dryness.