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Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks

A Huai Yang Style Hong Shao Ji Tui {红烧鸡腿}

by Shirley
Published: Last Updated on
Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks {Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui {红烧鸡腿}

Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui {红烧鸡腿} featuring red yeast rice as an all natural food color is so juicy and super delicious. It is quick and easy to make in about 30 minutes too. Perfect to pair with a leafy vegetable and steamed rice for a tasty and healthy rice bowl. Or as protein toppings for a Fried Rice, Chinese Stir Fry Noodles or Chow Mein.

Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks {Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui {红烧鸡腿}
Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks {Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui {红烧鸡腿}

Key Ingredients for Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks Chinese Style:

Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients

Other than the chicken drumsticks, you will need cooking oil such as canola oil, green onion and ginger to sear the chicken drumsticks.

The tasty braising juice is made of Naturally Aged Soy Sauce, Light Soy Sauce, Shaoxing Wine, Zhenjiang Vinegar, and a bit of water. Clove powder, coriander seeds powder, star anise, bay leaves, minced garlic and turbinado sugar {also known as Sugar in the Raw} are all contributing to the amazing flavor.

Red Yeast Rice Powder is my go-to all natural food color. I use it for so many dishes that require a red hue.

Red Yeast Rice and Red Yeast Rice Powder
Red Yeast Rice and Red Yeast Rice Powder

For example, Red Braised Pork Belly, Red Braised Pork Ham Hock, Braised Duck with Bean Paste {Chinese Jiang Ya}, Char Siu {Chinese BBQ Pork}, Lu Rou Sauce, Braised Beef Shank {Jiang Niu Rou}, Red Braised Pork Meatballs {Hong Shao Shi Zi Tou}.

food featuring red yeast rice
Food Featuring Red Yeast Rice

A herb grinder is very helpful to grind herb into powder, when the powder form of quality herbs is not so readily available. I usually grind my Red Yeast Rice, Coriander Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Dry Orange Peel, etc.

Grind fennel seeds for Chai Spice Mix
Grind Fennel Seeds Using a herb grinder

How to make a perfect Juicy Tasty Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks Chinese Style?

Tip No.1 is to sear or brown chicken drumsticks before braising

Heat the wok for about 1 minute and add a bit of canola oil, chopped green onion and minced ginger, along with the chicken drumsticks. Try to lay them flat with minimal over-lapping and cook for about 2 minutes on one side and 1 minute on the other side.

This step helps lock-in the moisture of the meat which leads to juicy and tender chicken drumsticks.

Sear Chicken Drumsticks in the Wok

Tip No.2 is to prepare a delicious braising sauce

Traditional Chinese condiments Soy Sauce, Shaoxing wine, Zhenjiang vinegar work like a magic together to tenderize and flavor the chicken.

Clove and coriander seeds are both delicious and nutritious herbs. They work perfectly together to elevate the flavor.

Add everything under “For the Braising Sauce” into a bowl and mix well using a mini spatula.

Braising Sauce for Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks

Tip No.3 is to braise for about 20 minutes

The key here is not to overcook the chicken. All you need is to cook at medium-high heat for 15 minutes after searing the chicken drumsticks. Then mix and fold the chicken with juice, and turn the heat to medium and cook for another 10 minutes.

Braising Chicken Drumsticks in the Wok

Last but not least is to fold and mix the drumsticks with the remaining juice for about 5 minutes

By the end of the 25 minutes braising, the juice is almost gone in the wok. Use a slotted turner to fold and mix the chicken drumsticks with the remaining juice in the wok for about 5 minutes.

This step helps cameralize chicken that gives the drumsticks an enticing glaze.

Freshly Braised Chicken Drumsticks in the Wok

Enjoy a super juicy and yummy Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks {Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui 红烧鸡腿}!

Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks {Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui {红烧鸡腿}
Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks {Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui {红烧鸡腿}
Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks {Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui {红烧鸡腿}

Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks {Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui 红烧鸡腿}

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks Chinese Style Hong Shao Ji Tui {红烧鸡腿} featuring red yeast rice as an all natural food color is so juicy and super delicious.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb chicken drumsticks
  • 1 tsp cooking oil such as avocado oil
  • 1 stalk of green onion, chopped
  • 1 small piece of ginger, about 6-8 slices, thinly sliced & minced
  • 1 stem of cilantro, for garnishing, optional

For the Braising Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp naturally aged soy sauce or dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 1/2 tbsp Zhenjiang Vinegar
  • 2 star anise
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/8 tsp clove powder, optional
  • 1/4 tsp coriander seeds powder, optional, freshly ground
  • 1/2 tsp red yeast rice powder, freshly ground
  • 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tbsp sugar, organic unrefined cane sugar or turbinado sugar, also known as "Sugar In the Raw"
  • 2 cups of water

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Wash and rinse chicken drumsticks well and set aside.
    Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients
  2. Chop green onion, mince ginger, and garlic. I usually use a compact food processor to mince garlic, store them in a small container in the refrigerator and then use it in the coming week.
    Minced Garlic Using a Compact Food Processor
  3. Add everything under "For the Braising Sauce" except for water to a small bowl. Mix well using a mini spatula.
    Braising Sauce for Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks
  4. Turn the heat to medium-high and heat the wok for 1 minute. Spray about 1 tsp avocado oil using a homemade oil sprayer, and then add chopped green onion and minced ginger, stir for about 10 seconds or till fragrant, and add chicken drumsticks.
  5. Spread out the chicken, and try to lay them flat with minimal overlapping. Cook for one side for about 2 minutes, and then flip and cook the other side for another 1 minute.
    Sear Chicken Drumsticks in the Wok
  6. Pour the Braising Sauce in a circular motion over the chicken, toss and mix using a pair of bamboo spatulas, and then add 2 cups of water in a circular motion. Use some water to rinse the sauce bowl if needed. Cover the wok with a lid and cook for 15 minutes.
    Braising Chicken Drumsticks in the Wok
  7. Turn the heat to medium, fold and mix chicken drumsticks with the braising sauce. Cover the lid and cook for 10 minutes.
  8. By the end of 10 minutes, the juice in the wok is almost gone. Use a slotted turner to mix and fold the chicken drumsticks with the remaining juice in the wok to color and flavor the chicken.
    Freshly Braised Chicken Drumsticks in the Wok
  9. All done! Garnish the Red Braised Chicken Drumsticks with chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Notes

  • For a family of four, I usually double the recipe. Double all the ingredients except for the water. You will still only need about 2 cups of water for braising.

Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 551Total Fat 25gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 288mgSodium 1433mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 1gSugar 5gProtein 58g

Nutrition calculation is provided by Nutritionix to the best knowledge per ingredients description and isn't always accurate.

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