Published May 10, 2023 Updated Aug 15, 2024

Chestnut Chicken Recipe

Chestnut chicken is a savory and comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. This dish combines tender chicken pieces with earthy shiitake mushrooms, sweet roasted chestnuts, and a flavorful sauce that’s sure to please your taste buds. The combination of shiitake mushrooms and roasted chestnuts creates a unique and delicious flavor profile. The earthiness of the mushrooms complements the nuttiness of the chestnuts, and the combination adds a depth of flavor to the dish.

Why This Recipe Works

It’s one of the easiest chicken recipes to make at home and calls for only a few simple ingredients. It goes perfectly with rice or plain noodles, which makes it a great option for busy weeknights. This dish is warm and comforting, making it the perfect meal for cold winter nights or for when you need a bit of comfort food. It’s a nutritious dish that is high in protein and low in fat. It’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy option for those looking to eat well.

Recipe Ingredients

This authentic chestnut chicken recipe is simply made with a few essential ingredients and a homemade brown sauce below:

Dried shiitake mushrooms Chicken leg Roasted chestnuts Olive oil Ginger Scallion Water

The brown sauce calls for only three ingredients:

Soy sauce Chinese Shaoxing wine Sugar

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.

How To Make Chestnut Chicken

To prepare chestnut chicken, start by soaking dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water for at least 30 minutes. This will help them to soften and absorb the flavors of the sauce. Once the mushrooms are softened, drain them and keep the mushroom-soaked water for cooking. Next, heat up some cooking oil in a pan and stir-fry ginger and scallions until fragrant. Then, add chicken pieces and stir-fry until the meat turns white. Add in the soaked shiitake mushrooms, roasted chestnuts and mixed brown sauce, and stir fry a few times. Then, pour in the mushroom-soaked water and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Serve immediately with hot white rice.

Cooking Tips

Soak the shiitake mushrooms in warm water for at least 30 minutes before using them in the recipe. This will help them to soften and absorb the flavors of the sauce.  To enhance the flavor of the dish, use the mushroom-soaked water for cooking. It adds an extra depth of flavor to the sauce. Using ready-to-use roasted chestnuts will bring a delicious nutty flavor to the final dish. You can find them in packs at your local grocery store. If you can’t find ready-to-use roasted chestnuts, you can substitute them with frozen or raw chestnuts.

What To Serve With Chestnut Chicken

For an easy and wholesome Chinese meal, I recommend the following recipes: I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.

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