Chicken is a versatile and widely used ingredient in Asian cooking and is used in many different ways, from stir-fries to soups and curries. It is often paired with a range of herbs, spices, and sauces to create a variety of appetising recipes. We’ve put together a list of 5 Asian style chicken dishes that will be sure to get your taste buds tingling!
Yakitori Chicken
Yakitori chicken is a popular Japanese dish that consists of skewered and grilled chicken pieces, typically served with a soy based dipping sauce. The word “yakitori” comes from “yaki,” which means grilled, and “tori,” which means bird.
Yakitori is usually made with bite-sized pieces of chicken that are skewered onto bamboo or metal skewers and then grilled over charcoal. The chicken is often seasoned with salt or a sweet and savoury tare sauce made with soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar.
Yakitori chicken can be served as a main dish, or as a snack with drinks in traditional Japanese izakaya settings. Yakitori is also a popular street food in many Japanese cities, where vendors sell freshly grilled yakitori skewers to hungry passersby.
Korean Fried Chicken
Korean fried chicken, also known as KFC, is a popular Korean dish that consists of crispy, deep fried chicken pieces that are coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. It is a favourite comfort food in Korea and has gained popularity in other parts of the world as well.
The key to making Korean fried chicken is the double frying technique, which results in an extra crispy coating. The chicken is first fried at a lower temperature to cook it through, and then fried again at a higher temperature to create crispiness.
After the chicken is fried, it is tossed in a sauce made with gochujang (Korean chilli paste), soy sauce, honey, garlic, and other seasonings. The sauce can be adjusted to be more or less spicy, depending on personal preference.
Korean fried chicken can be served as a main dish or as a snack and is often accompanied by pickled radish or coleslaw. It is a popular food to eat while drinking beer or other alcoholic beverages, and many Korean restaurants and bars specialise in serving Korean fried chicken and beer together.
Chicken Ramen
Chicken ramen is a popular Japanese dish that is known for its comforting and hearty flavours. This dish consists of tender pieces of chicken that are served in a savoury broth with chewy noodles, and a variety of toppings such as spring onions, bamboo shoots, and soft boiled eggs.
The broth for chicken ramen is typically made with chicken bones and a variety of aromatics such as ginger, garlic, and onion. It is simmered for hours to develop a rich and flavorful broth that is both comforting and nourishing. The noodles for chicken ramen are typically made with wheat flour and are chewy and delicious, providing a perfect complement to the rich broth and tender chicken.
The chicken for chicken ramen can be prepared in a variety of ways, including grilled, poached, or roasted. The meat is then sliced and added to the broth, where it absorbs the flavours of the broth and becomes tender and juicy.
Chicken Satay
Chicken satay is a popular dish in Southeast Asian cuisine that consists of delicious and tender skewered chicken, which is typically served with a spicy peanut sauce.
The chicken is marinated in a fragrant blend of spices and seasonings that include turmeric, lemongrass, and garlic, which gives it a distinctive taste and aroma. The skewers are then grilled over an open flame or on a grill, resulting in tender and juicy chicken with a slightly charred flavour.
The peanut sauce is a key component of the dish, made with roasted peanuts, coconut milk, and a variety of spices, providing a creamy and spicy flavour that perfectly complements the chicken. Chicken satay is often served with additional garnishes such as sliced cucumbers and red onions, providing a refreshing and crunchy texture to the dish.
Chicken Massaman Curry
Chicken Massaman curry is a beloved dish in Thai cuisine characterised by its rich and complex flavours. The curry is made with tender pieces of chicken that are cooked in a fragrant sauce made from a variety of spices including cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and cumin, which are toasted and then ground to release their full flavour.
The sauce also contains coconut milk, tamarind paste, and fish sauce, which give it a slightly sweet and tangy taste, while the addition of potatoes and peanuts adds texture and depth to the dish. The dish is typically served with steamed rice, and garnished with fresh herbs such as coriander or Thai basil.
Asian style chicken dishes are known for their bold flavours, unique seasonings, and tender and juicy chicken. Whether it’s grilled chicken skewers with a spicy peanut sauce, or crispy fried chicken with a sweet and tangy glaze, there are countless variations of Asian style chicken that are sure to satisfy any craving.
