Easy Salt Baked Chicken
A delicious and authentic chicken recipe for Easy Salt Baked Chicken, prepared with traditional seasonings and techniques.
Ingredients
- • 1 tablespoon salt ((*Footnote 3))
- • 2 teaspoons sugar
- • 1 teaspoon ginger powder ((or sand ginger powder if available))
- • 1/2 teaspoon five spice powder
- • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric ((Optional, for colour))
- • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine ((or Chinese rose wine, or dry sherry))
- • 1 (3 lb to 5 lb / 1.3 kg to 2.2 kg) whole chicken ((*Footnote 1))
- • 6 spring onions (halved)
- • 1 thumb ginger (sliced)
Preparation Steps
For the Spice mix: Combine the salt, sugar, ginger powder, five spice powder, and turmeric in a small bowl. Stir to mix well. Pour in the Shaoxing wine. Stir again to dissolve as much salt and sugar as possible. Set it aside to sit while you prepare the chicken.
To prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken along both sides of the backbone one side at a time using a pair of kitchen scissors. Flip the chicken over and flatten out the legs and wings. Press down on the centre of the chicken breasts using your hands, until the breastbone cracks and the chicken lays flat. Tug the wing tips under the drumsticks.
Preheat the oven to 400° (200°C) convection (highly recommended, for a crispier skin) or 425°F (224°C). Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Spread the spring onions and ginger slices in the centre, to form a bed for the chicken.
Place the chicken skin side down. Spread a thin layer of the spice mix and rub until it’s even. Transfer the chicken onto the prepared spring onions and ginger, skin side up this time. Rub the seasonings over the skin. You will have leftover spice mix if using a smaller chicken.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the juices run clear when you probe the thickest part of the thigh and breast. Or the meat should read 165°F (74°C) if using a thermometer.
Once the chicken is baked, let rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve over steamed rice as a main dish.