Every now and then, I will crave for chicken feet, especially when I want to grind my teeth like a cat (which is why I rarely de-bone it ahead of time, I like to pick out bones by myself! That’s the best part) 🙂 . It is also a great snack for watching shows! Eating chicken feet, snuggling in the warm, comfy blanket and enjoying a good show, what a life!!
Chicken Feet can either be called chicken feet 鷄爪 or phoenix feet 鳳爪 in menu, as phoenix is regarded as a precious animal and “higher” class than chicken 😀 . There are so many different ways to cook chicken feet — chicken feet braised with multiple sauces (鹵水鷄爪), salted chicken feet (鹽焗雞爪), Korean spicy chicken feet (韓式辣鷄爪), steamed chicken feet with black bean paste, the one you usually get at Dim Sum (豉汁鳳爪), Thai sour and spicy chicken feet with lemon (泰式檸檬酸辣鷄爪) and so so much more. Today I am sharing how to make garlic pepper chicken feet (蒜香鷄爪) that marinate overnight, similar as cold dishes.
QUICK TAKEAWAYS
- chicken feet nails are dirty; cutting them off before marinating is better.
- slicing through chicken feet, do not have to cut/separate chicken feet without strong knife, will help seasoning sauce better marinate chicken feet
- drying chicken feet before marinating will help sauce being absorbed.
RECIPE
- 2lbs chicken feet
- 1 scallion
- ginger slices
- rice wine
- a bunch of Szechuan peppercorn (optional)
- 2 whole garlic
- 5-6 red chili peppers
- 1tbsp red chili powder/flakes
- 6tbsp soy sauce
- 3tbsp vinegar
- 1tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2tbsp traditional soy sauce
- 1tbsp sesame oil
- 1tbsp sugar
- 1 cup water
- chopped cilantro
Step 1: in boiling water, first add 1 scallion, a few ginger slices, 2tbsp rice wine and a bunch of Szechuan peppercorn, then add and cook chicken feet for 10mins. Turn off heat and let them sit in the pot for 5 extra minutes. This will cook chicken feet thorough and softer.
- if want chicken feet to be softer, cook for longer time
Step 2: let chicken feet sit in cold icy water for 20mins, drain.
Step 3: cut off nails of chicken feet, slice 1-2 across chicken feet. No need to separate them into two parts unless you have strong knife. Slicing is for the seasoning sauce marinates better.
Step 4: in a food processor, blend 2 whole garlic and 5-6 red chili peppers. Alternatively, you can cut them into small pieces.
Step 5: over medium-high heat, heat up oil; stir fry garlic and pepper. Add 1tbsp chili pepper flakes/powder.
Step 6: add in the following sauces and mix well:
- 6tbsp soy sauce
- 3tbsp vinegar
- 1tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2tbsp traditional soy sauce
- 1tbsp sesame oil
- 1tbsp sugar
- 1 cup water
Step 7: pour sauce into container to season chicken feet. Mix well with hands (in gloves) or by shaking the closed-lid container.
Step 8: marinate in the fridge overnight or longer. Mix every now and then. Add more soy sauce if not salty enough! Can add chopped cilantro before eating~
READY TO SERVE!!!
RESOURCES
