Cantonese-Style Steamed Chicken Feet Recipe

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken Feet:

Begin by thoroughly cleaning the chicken feet. Remove any remaining feathers, trim off the nails, and rinse well under cold running water.
In a large bowl, soak the chicken feet in hot water for about 5 minutes to loosen any dirt. Once done, drain and rinse them again.

Marinate the Chicken Feet:

In a separate bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Add minced garlic, julienned ginger, and dried chili peppers (if using) to the marinade and mix well.
Place the cleaned chicken feet into a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, making sure they are well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.

Steam the Chicken Feet:

Prepare your steamer by filling the bottom with water and bringing it to a boil. If you don’t have a traditional steamer, you can use a large pot with a steaming rack or a heatproof plate to elevate the chicken feet above the water.
Arrange the marinated chicken feet in a single layer on a steaming plate. Pour a little of the marinade over the feet for added flavor during steaming.
Steam the chicken feet for 40-50 minutes, or until they are tender and the skin is soft and gelatinous. You can check for tenderness by poking the feet with a fork – it should easily pierce through.

Make the Sauce:

While the chicken feet are steaming, you can prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, bring the remaining marinade to a simmer over medium heat.
Add the cornstarch-water mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding a little more soy sauce or sugar if you prefer a saltier or sweeter taste.

Assemble the Dish:

Once the chicken feet are steamed to perfection, remove them from the steamer and transfer them to a serving plate.
Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken feet, making sure each piece is generously coated with the savory sauce.
Garnish with chopped spring onions and fresh cilantro for added freshness and color.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve your Cantonese-Style Steamed Chicken Feet with steamed rice, as the savory sauce complements the fluffy rice perfectly.
This dish is often enjoyed as an appetizer or as part of a dim sum meal in Cantonese cuisine.
A glass of oolong tea or jasmine tea pairs well with the rich flavors of the chicken feet.

Optional Tips:

For a spicier version: Increase the number of dried red chili peppers or add a bit of chili oil to the sauce to kick up the heat.
Texture Tip: If you want a more gelatinous texture, you can cook the chicken feet longer to allow the collagen in the skin to break down further.
Marinating Tip: If you have the time, marinate the chicken feet overnight to allow the flavors to meld even more deeply into the meat.
Enjoy your Cantonese-Style Steamed Chicken Feet, a classic dim sum favorite that delivers savory, spicy, and tender flavors with every bite. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a comforting meal, this dish is sure to impress with its depth of flavor and satisfying texture.