Chicken feet, though not as commonly utilized in Western cuisines, are a delicacy and staple in many cultures around the world. Packed with collagen and gelatin, chicken feet offer a unique texture and flavor that can elevate dishes to new heights. While some may find the idea of cooking chicken feet intimidating, with the right techniques and recipes, these humble appendages can be transformed into delectable and savory creations. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to cooking chicken feet, exploring various preparation methods and enticing recipes that showcase the culinary potential of this underrated ingredient.
Preparing Chicken Feet for Cooking:
Before embarking on the cooking journey, proper preparation of chicken feet is essential. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning and prepping chicken feet:
Rinse the chicken feet thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.
Trim the nails using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, as they can be sharp and may cause injury during handling and cooking.
Gently peel off the outer layer of skin from the chicken feet to reveal the softer and more edible inner layer.
Optionally, blanch the chicken feet in boiling water for a few minutes to further cleanse them and remove any residual impurities.
Once cleaned and prepped, the chicken feet are ready to be transformed into delightful dishes.
4 Delicious Chicken Feet Recipes
1. Chicken Feet Broth:
How To Make Chicken Feet Broth
Equipment
- 1 large pot
Ingredients
- some cleaned and prepped chicken feet
- some water
- some aromatics (such as onions, carrots, celery)
- some seasonings (bay leaves, peppercorns, thyme)
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine cleaned and prepped chicken feet with water, aromatics (such as onions, carrots, celery), and seasonings (bay leaves, peppercorns, thyme).
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Let the broth simmer for several hours to extract the collagen and gelatin from the chicken feet, resulting in a luscious and flavorful broth.
- Strain the broth to remove any solids, and it is now ready to be used in various culinary creations.
2. Chicken Feet Dim Sum:
In Chinese cuisine, chicken feet dim sum, also known as “Phoenix Claws,” is a beloved delicacy. Braised and marinated in a savory sauce, chicken feet dim sum offers a unique combination of flavors and textures. Here’s a recipe for making this delectable dish:
How To Make Chicken Feet Dim Sum
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken feet cleaned and prepped
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 piece of ginger minced
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (Chinese rice wine)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
- some Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the cleaned chicken feet to the pot and stir-fry for a few minutes to lightly brown them.
- In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, and chicken broth.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken feet in the pot, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let the chicken feet braise for about 2 hours or until tender and flavorful.
- Once the chicken feet are cooked, thicken the sauce by adding the dissolved cornstarch and stirring until it thickens.
- Garnish the chicken feet dim sum with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
3. Fried Chicken Feet:
Fried chicken feet offer a crispy and flavorful treat, perfect for indulging in finger foods. This recipe adds a delightful twist to chicken feet, turning them into a delicious and crunchy snack:
How To Make Fried Chicken Feet
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken feet cleaned and prepped
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- some Salt and pepper to taste
- some Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a bowl, soak the cleaned chicken feet in buttermilk for at least 1 hour, allowing them to tenderize and absorb the flavors.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the chicken feet from the buttermilk, allowing any excess liquid to drip off.
- Dredge the chicken feet in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
- In a deep frying pan or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully lower the chicken feet into the hot oil and fry them until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the fried chicken feet from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve the crispy fried chicken feet with your favorite dipping sauce for an irresistible snack.
4. Chicken Feet Tacos:
For a fusion twist, chicken feet tacos combine the rich flavors of chicken feet with the familiar and beloved taco concept. This unique recipe is sure to impress and delight taco enthusiasts:
How To Make Chicken Feet Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken feet cleaned and prepped
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- some Salt and pepper to taste
- some Tortillas
- Your choice of taco toppings (sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, etc.)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened and fragrant.
- Add the cleaned chicken feet to the skillet and cook until lightly browned.
- Season the chicken feet with ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring to coat them evenly.
- Pour enough water into the skillet to cover the chicken feet partially. Cover the skillet and let the chicken feet simmer until tender and fully cooked, approximately 2 hours.
- Once the chicken feet are cooked, shred the meat from the bones, discarding any unwanted parts.
- Warm the tortillas and assemble the chicken feet tacos, topping them with your choice of taco toppings for a delicious fusion feast.
How do I eat Chicken Feet?
Start off by remembering that you can eat every part of this, with the exception of the nails and the bones. It might also be best to try to eat this with your hands, or with chopsticks. You could begin by biting the toes off the joints. Then chew off the skin, and this is where you could taste most of the rich sauce that comes with the chicken feet. You could also suck the cartilage off the bone to get the most flavor, and repeat this for all of the other joints.
The pad on the foot is also known to be the fleshiest part, so you could chew the skin off like you did for the joints. Essentially, it is best to eat all of the meat until all you have left are bones.
But for eating chicken feet, there is no one perfect method so feel free to eat it the way it best feels natural! If you enjoyed these recipes, let us know by commenting below!
Conclusion:
Cooking chicken feet may initially seem intimidating, but with proper cleaning and preparation, these humble appendages can be transformed into delightful and delectable dishes. From creating a flavorful chicken feet broth to crafting savory chicken feet dim sum and indulging in crispy fried chicken feet, the culinary possibilities are vast. Whether exploring traditional recipes or experimenting with fusion creations, cooking chicken feet offers a unique and rewarding culinary experience. So, embrace the versatility of this underrated ingredient and embark on a gastronomic adventure, savoring the delicious and distinctive flavors that chicken feet have to offer.