Jiao Hua Ji (beggar's Chicken)

Jiao Hua Ji, also known as Beggar's Chicken, is a traditional Huaiyang Cuisine dish that features a whole chicken stuffed, wrapped, and baked to perfection.

Gluten Free Dairy Free Main Course Huaiyang Chinese Cuisine Baked Chicken Traditional Recipe
Jiao Hua Ji (beggar's Chicken)

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken, about 3-4 pounds
  • 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup bamboo shoots, sliced
  • 1 cup Chinese sausage, diced
  • 1/2 cup scallions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup ginger, minced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • Lotus leaves, soaked in water
  • Parchment paper
  • Aluminum foil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Clean the chicken and pat it dry. Season the inside and outside of the chicken with salt and white pepper.
  3. In a bowl, mix the shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, Chinese sausage, scallions, ginger, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and salt.
  4. Stuff the chicken cavity with the mixture and truss the chicken with kitchen twine.
  5. Wrap the chicken in lotus leaves, then parchment paper, and finally aluminum foil.
  6. Place the wrapped chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 3.5 hours.
  7. Remove the foil and parchment paper, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C), and bake for another 30 minutes to crisp up the skin.
  8. Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes before unwrapping and serving.

Cooking & Preparation

Preparation time:
30 minutes
Cooking time:
4 hours
Total time:
4 hours
Cooking method
Oven

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
350 per serving
Protein
25g
Carbohydrates
10g
Fat
20g

Supplies

Baking sheet

Tools

Kitchen twine

Serving suggestions

Serve Jiao Hua Ji with steamed rice and a side of stir-fried vegetables.

Tips & tricks

Soak the lotus leaves in water for at least 2 hours before using to make them pliable for wrapping the chicken.

Cost

$20