Emperor's Delight: Slow-Cooked Soy Ginger Chicken
Indulge in the tender, flavorful experience of Emperor's Delight: Slow-Cooked Soy Ginger Chicken, inspired by family favorites. This recipe combines juicy chicken parts, marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in chicken that practically falls off the bone. Perfectly served over a bed of Lo Mein, this meal can be enjoyed in various ways: serve the chicken whole, shred it over the noodles, or enhance it with a drizzle of duck sauce for a sweet twist. This dish is an ideal weeknight dinner that can be cooked ahead and frozen, making it perfect for busy schedules. Your family will appreciate the comforting flavors and tender texture, ensuring it's a hit at the dinner table!
6
Servings
300
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fryer Chicken Parts
3.5 lbs (Fresh, thighs work best for tenderness.)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoons (For browning the chicken.)
Light Soy Sauce or Low Sodium Soy Sauce
1/3 cup (For marinating the chicken.)
Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons (For sweetness and depth of flavor.)
Garlic
1 teaspoon (Minced for flavor.)
Ginger
1 teaspoon (Ground for warm spice.)
Slivered Almonds
1/4 cup (Optional garnish.)
Green Onions
To taste (Sliced, optional garnish.)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, add vegetable oil and brown the chicken parts on both sides until golden and crispy.
2
Transfer the browned chicken pieces to a slow cooker, placing them evenly to ensure even cooking.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the light soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ground ginger until well combined into a smooth sauce.
4
Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring all pieces are coated.
5
Cover the slow cooker with a lid and set it to high for one hour to start the cooking process.
6
After one hour, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for approximately 5 additional hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.
7
Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it onto a serving platter or individual plates.
8
Spoon the remaining sauce over the chicken generously, and if desired, sprinkle with slivered almonds and sliced green onions for garnish.
9
For a thicker sauce, whisk together cornstarch with a bit of water, then gradually add it to the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until thickened before serving.
10
This dish can be fully prepared ahead of time and frozen; reheat it gently before serving to maintain its succulent texture.
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
12g
Carbs
23g
Protein
500mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emperor's Delight: Slow-Cooked Soy Ginger Chicken?
It is a tender and flavorful chicken dish marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, slow-cooked until it falls off the bone.
What type of chicken works best for this recipe?
Fryer chicken parts are used, but thighs are specifically recommended for the best tenderness.
Do I need to brown the chicken before slow cooking?
Yes, it is recommended to brown the chicken parts in vegetable oil in a skillet until golden and crispy for better texture.
What are the main flavors in the sauce?
The sauce is a savory and sweet combination of light soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ground ginger.
What is the recommended slow cooker setting for the first hour?
The slow cooker should be set to high for the first hour to start the cooking process.
How long should the chicken cook on the low setting?
After the initial hour on high, the chicken should cook for approximately five additional hours on low.
How can I thicken the soy ginger sauce?
To thicken the sauce, whisk cornstarch with water and gradually add it to the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until the desired consistency is reached.
What is the best way to serve this chicken?
It is perfectly served over a bed of Lo Mein, either whole or shredded, and can be enhanced with a drizzle of duck sauce.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Yes, this dish can be fully prepared ahead of time and frozen for later use.
What garnishes are suggested for this dish?
Slivered almonds and sliced green onions are recommended garnishes for added texture and flavor.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 23 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of this dish?
The dish contains 14 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the recipe?
There are 12 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the sodium content per serving?
The recipe contains 500mg of sodium per serving.
Can I use low-sodium soy sauce?
Yes, the recipe specifically suggests using either light soy sauce or low-sodium soy sauce.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is done when it is cooked through and the juices run clear, usually after about 6 total hours of slow cooking.
What amount of chicken is required?
You will need 3.5 lbs of fryer chicken parts.
How much garlic and ginger should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
Is vegetable oil necessary for this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil are used for browning the chicken before it goes into the slow cooker.
How much brown sugar is in the sauce?
The sauce includes 2 tablespoons of brown sugar for sweetness and depth.
What is the total slow cooking time?
The total slow cooking time is approximately 6 hours (1 hour on high and 5 hours on low).
How should I reheat the frozen chicken?
Reheat the chicken gently to ensure it maintains its succulent and tender texture.
Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground?
While the recipe specifies ground ginger, fresh ginger can be used as a substitute for a more intense flavor profile.
What kind of vegetable oil should I use?
Any standard vegetable oil works well for browning the chicken parts.
Is this dish suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, because it uses a slow cooker and can be frozen, it is an ideal meal for busy schedules.
Should I whisk the sauce separately?
Yes, whisk the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger in a separate bowl before pouring it over the chicken.
Can I add duck sauce directly to the slow cooker?
The recipe suggests adding duck sauce as a drizzle when serving for a sweet twist rather than cooking it in the slow cooker.
Is it okay to leave the chicken whole?
Yes, you can serve the chicken pieces whole on a platter or individual plates as preferred.