Chicken is tender, delicious, rich in nutritional value, and has nourishing effects on health. Chicken dishes are available all over China, and it is the most common white meat. Chinese people believe that nearly all parts of a chicken can be eaten, including the feet.
Popular Chicken Dishes
Chicken can be cooked in many different ways, including deep-frying, steaming, roasting, stewing, and boiling. Due to the regional differences of dietary culture and varied cooking techniques, the flavors of chicken dishes are different in different regions. Three regional favorites are these:
1. Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao chickenKung Pao chicken is a spicy stir-fry dish made with chicken, chili, Sichuan pepper, peanuts, and vegetables. It is a traditional Sichuan dish that can be found throughout China. The chicken tastes tender and smooth, and the flavor can be either spicy or mild depending on how much chili is added.
2. Xinjiang Large Tray Chicken
Xinjiang large tray chickenis a traditional Xinjiang dish made from chicken, potatoes, onions, bell peppers, chilies, garlic and ginger. It is usually served with noodles on a large tray.
3. Hangzhou Beggar's Chicken
Beggar's chicken is a famous Han dish with a very long history. The chicken is usually stuffed, wrapped in lotus leaves, and roasted in an oven or under a grill for about 2 hours. The chicken meat is crisp and tender with a delicious smell.
Chicken Dishes Menu
| English | Chinese | Pronunciation | Characters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kung Pao chicken (spicy diced chicken with cashews/peanuts) | Gōng Băo jīdīng | gong baoww jee-ding | 宫保鸡丁 |
| Xinjiang large tray chicken | Xīnjiāng dàpánjī | sshin-jyang daa-pan-jee | 新疆大盘鸡 |
| Hangzhou beggar's chicken | Hángzhōu jiàohuā jī | hung-joh jyaoww-hwaa jee | 杭州叫花鸡 |
| chicken in sweet and sour sauce | tángcù jīkuài | tung-tsoo jee-kweye | 糖醋鸡块 |
| soft–fried chicken with lemon sauce | xī níng jiān ruăn jī | sshee ning jyen rwan jee | 西柠煎软鸡 |
| chicken wings in three cups sauce | sān bēi jī yì | san bay jee-ee | 三杯鸡翼 |
| steamed chicken with salted sauce | xiāngfēi jī | sshyang-fay jee | 香妃鸡 |
| honey chicken with ginger shoots | mìtángzĭ jiāng jī | mee-tung-zrr jyang jee | 蜜糖子姜鸡 |
| curry chicken with apple | píngguŏ gālí jī | ping-gwor gaa-lee jee | 苹果咖喱鸡 |
| stuffed chicken wings with shrimp paste | băihuā fèngyì | beye-hwaa fnng-ee | 百花凤翼 |
| chicken feet with pickled peppers | pàojiāo fèngzhuă | paoww-jyaoww fnng-jwaa | 泡椒凤爪 |
| Guangdong hundred-slice chicken | Guăngdōng báiqiējī | gwung-dong beye-chyeah-jee | 广东白切鸡 |
| river snail and chicken hotpot | tiánluó jī | tyen-lwor jee | 田螺鸡 |
| braised chicken in yellow sauce | huángmèn jī | hwung-mnn jee | 黄焖鸡 |
| Hunan spicy chicken | Húnán làzĭ jī | hoo-nan laa-zrr jee | 湖南辣子鸡 |
| Hainan Wenchang braised chicken | Hăinán Wénchāng jī | heye-nan wnn-chung jee | 海南文昌鸡 |
| Sichuan strange-smelling chicken nuggets | Sìchuān guàiwèi jīkuài | srr-chwann gweye-way jee-kweye | 四川怪味鸡块 |
| spicy Coca Cola chicken wings | Kělè jīchì | ker-ler Jee-chrr | 可乐鸡翅 |
| chicken baked in salt | yán jú jī | yen jyoo jee | 盐焗鸡 |
| chicken and steamed pork tripe | zhūdù jī | joo-doo jee | 猪肚鸡 |
Travel with China Highlights and Taste Authentic Chinese Cuisine
Eating Chinese food in a local restaurantIf you want to try authentic Chinese food, China Highlights can help you.
See our most popular food tour:
- 12-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Hong Kong Cuisine Tour combines the most popular destinations and five different regional cuisines.
Or contact us and let us tailor-make your own Chinese food tour according to your interests and requirements.
