Braised Chicken with Chestnut

I was watching a Chinese drama serial and they kept referring to a dish called braised chicken with chestnut. I liked the sound if it and had to try to make it  to see what it tasted like.  The chicken is tender and flavoursome and I like the nutty taste of chestnut and the spongy mushroom. The gravy is delicious! Love this dish but wonder what it would taste like if the chicken is roasted or steamed with a chestnut stuffing inside the chicken. Might try that next time.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/RuvKJkz9IIE

INGREDIENTS

• 5 chicken thighs

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp dark soy sauce

• Generous amount of black pepper

• 2 tbsp oil (I used rice bran oil)

• 3 slices ginger

• 1 carrot (diced)

• 10-12 chestnuts (I used the ready to eat variety)

• 1 tbsp cooking wine

• 1 tbsp rock sugar

• 1 star anise

• 1 tbsp fried onion

• 4 Chinese mushrooms (soaked in 1 cup of hot water)

METHOD

1. Marinate chicken with the soy sauces and black pepper for 30 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a large pot and add ginger. Fry till fragrant.

3. Add chicken pieces and brown on both sides.

4. Add carrot, chestnut, fried onion, cooking wine,  rock sugar, star anise, rehydrated mushrooms and the mushroom soaking liquid. Mix well.

5. Add water to a level just covering the chicken.

6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, covered, for 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender.

7. The gravy should have thickened by now. If not, thicken the gravy with a little cornflour mixed with water.