Hunan Hen (An Genuine Model)

March 18, 2025

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An genuine tasting Hunan rooster that options tender rooster items and sizzling peppers cooked in a wealthy savory sauce made with fermented black beans and aromatics. If you happen to take pleasure in a takeout type Hunan rooster, in addition to spicy meals with a punch, you possibly can’t miss this one. {Gluten-Free Adaptable}

Hunan chicken made with fermented black beans and chili peppers

At this time I wish to share a Hunan rooster that’s barely totally different from the takeout type dish you usually discover within the US. However earlier than diving into the recipe, let’s discuss Hunan delicacies.

Hunan dishes are characterised by their use of contemporary chilies, garlic, fermented soybeans, and pickled substances. In contrast to Sichuan delicacies, which closely options numbing Sichuan peppercorns, Hunan cooking focuses on a pure, intense warmth that builds with every chunk. The result’s a deeply satisfying, fragrant, and generally smoky taste profile. For instance, I’ve shared a Hunan Beef (湖南小炒肉) that makes use of two sorts of contemporary sizzling chili peppers and dried chili peppers to construct a layered spicy taste.

Does Hunan Hen exist in China?

No, Hunan rooster as generally present in Western Chinese language eating places doesn’t exist in China. Whereas the dish takes inspiration from Hunan delicacies (湘菜, Xiāng cài), Hunan rooster as seen in American-Chinese language eating places is a Western creation.

What makes this recipe particular

Most takeout type Hunan rooster recipes function a stir-fried mixture of rooster, greens (like bell peppers and carrots), and a brown sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili paste. Whereas it might be loosely impressed by Hunan flavors, it doesn’t match the genuine daring, dry warmth and fermented flavors that characterize true Hunan dishes.

After I created my very own model of Hunan rooster, I used:

Contemporary sizzling Chilies and heavy aromatics – As an alternative of counting on paste, my Hunan rooster makes use of a mixture of contemporary crimson chilies and quite a lot of ginger, garlic and scallion for depth and complexity.
Fermented Black Beans – They add a savory, umami-rich taste that enhances the dish’s richness.
No Heavy Candy Sauce – In contrast to Americanized variations with a thick, sugary sauce, this recipe has a lighter but richer sauce, made with oyster sauce, wine and soy sauce.

Substances

Chili peppers

Hunan meals makes use of ample quantities of chili peppers to construct the flavour and texture of the dish. Historically, peppers equivalent to Er Jing Tiao (二荆条) and Xiao Mi La (小米辣椒) are generally used. However since these regional chili peppers is perhaps exhausting to search out, I recommend utilizing peppers with comparable warmth ranges. I actually love utilizing anaheim and Fresno peppers. Fresno is kind of spicy eaten by itself and has a pleasant smoky and fruity taste, which is ideal for this dish. If you happen to like further spiciness, contemplate throwing in a single or two hen’s eye chilis.

If you happen to don’t take care of intense warmth, it’s OK to make use of bell peppers or candy peppers as a substitute.

Fermented black beans

Fermented black beans (豆豉, dòu chǐ) are also referred to as Chinese language fermented beans. It’s a salty ingredient constituted of soybeans fermented in closely salinated water, a course of that softens the beans and dries them out barely. Consequently, it has a deep umami taste like soy sauce however with a fair stronger, fermented perfume. It’s a key ingredient in Hunan rooster to deliver collectively the aromatics and spicy chili pepper, making a wealthy tasting dish.

Yow will discover fermented black beans at your native Chinatown or Asian market. If shopping for on-line I might extremely suggest the Sichuan Fermented Black Beans from The Mala Market.

Mise en place

Whenever you’re able to cook dinner, your desk ought to have:

Marinated rooster
Sliced greens – celery, chili pepper, scallion greens
Combined sauce
Aromatics – ginger, garlic, scallion whites
Fermented black beans

Find out how to cook dinner Hunan rooster

First, sear the rooster with a sizzling pan till evenly browned and simply cooked via. It’s necessary to take away the rooster from the pan to forestall it from overcooking.

Cook dinner the aromatics and fermented black beans to launch perfume.

Stir fry the greens till they simply begin to soften however are nonetheless crisp.

Add again the rooster and pour within the sauce.

Cook dinner and stir till the sauce is thickened and coats the substances.

My recipe solely makes use of sufficient sauce to coat the substances, however you’ll discover each chunk bursting with taste with a punch. The rooster is tender and juicy, and the greens crunchy and crispy.

Find out how to serve Hunan rooster

Genuine Hunan rooster is greatest loved with plain steamed rice to stability the warmth. For an entire Hunan-style meal, serve it alongside stir-fried greens like child bok choy or a easy cucumber salad to chill issues down. For a full meal, additionally contemplate:

Hunan chicken served in a plate close up

If you happen to’re a fan of spicy, daring flavors, this authentic-style Hunan rooster is a must-try. It’s fiery, fragrant, and filled with umami, showcasing the guts of Hunan delicacies. Overlook the thick, sugary sauces of Westernized variations—this dish is all about pure, unfiltered warmth and taste. Attempt it out and expertise a style of true Hunan spirit!

Have you ever tried genuine Hunan rooster earlier than? Tell us within the feedback how you want your spice stage!

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