Steam Pot Chicken in Jianshui, Honghe

Jianshui Steam Pot Chicken

Jianshui Steam Pot Chicken is a traditional dish from Jianshui County, Yunnan Province, China, and belongs to Yunnan cuisine. It is famous for its unique cooking method and delicate flavor, prepared using a special clay steam pot from Jianshui that preserves the original taste and tenderness of the ingredients.

How to Prepare Jianshui Steam Pot Chicken

Ingredients

• Main Ingredient: Free-range chicken (preferably local Jianshui chicken for the best texture)
• Accompaniments: Ginger slices, scallion segments, slices of Xuanwei ham (or Yunnan ham)
• Seasonings: Salt, white pepper, cooking wine, chicken essence (optional)

Steps

1. Preparation:
   • Clean the chicken, cut it into small pieces, and soak in water briefly to remove blood.
   • Pat dry and marinate with a little salt and cooking wine for 10 minutes.
2. Setting Up the Steam Pot:
   • The Jianshui steam pot has two parts: a bottom pot for boiling water and a top pot with a lid.
   • Place ginger slices and scallion segments at the bottom of the steam pot, followed by ham slices, and arrange the marinated chicken on top.
3. Steaming:
   • Place the steam pot over a pot of water, cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat.
   • Reduce to medium heat and steam for 2–3 hours (adjust based on the tenderness of the chicken).
   • The steam circulates through the pot, infusing the chicken with moisture and flavor.
4. Seasoning:
   • After steaming, season with salt and white pepper to taste, and garnish with chopped scallions.

Special Features

• The Steam Pot: The unique design of the Jianshui steam pot preserves the original juices and flavors of the ingredients, making the chicken exceptionally tender.
• Ham Pairing: Xuanwei or Yunnan ham adds a rich aroma to the dish.
• Steaming Time: Ensure the chicken is steamed long enough to absorb flavors but not overcooked.

Cultural Background