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White Cut Chicken with Ginger-Scallion Sauce

White Cut Chicken with Ginger-Scallion Sauce

Bai qie ji - a Cantonese banquet classic of poached chicken, silky and delicate, served cold with a vibrant ginger-scallion sauce.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Main
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Cantonese, Chicken, Festive
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 386kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken about 1.5kg
  • 1 thumb fresh ginger sliced, plus 1/4 cup finely minced
  • 4 scallions whole, plus 1 cup finely minced
  • 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup avocado oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt for the sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce for serving

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil with the sliced ginger, whole scallions, Shaoxing wine, and salt.
  • Lower the chicken into the pot, breast-side down. Bring back to a bare simmer, then reduce heat to low and poach gently for 35-40 minutes, until just cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken and immediately plunge it into a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes to stop the cooking and tighten the skin. Drain and pat dry.
  • While the chicken cools, combine the minced ginger, minced scallion, and 1/2 tsp salt in a heatproof bowl.
  • Heat the avocado oil until just smoking, then pour it over the ginger-scallion mixture, stirring immediately.
  • Chop the chicken into pieces and arrange on a platter. Drizzle with soy sauce and serve with the ginger-scallion oil alongside.

Notes

Chef's Tip: The ice bath immediately after poaching is essential - it's what gives the skin its signature silky, slightly jellied texture. Keto Swaps: none needed - poached chicken with ginger-scallion oil is naturally keto as written.

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcal | Protein: 34g | Fat: 26g
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