By eatmundo · July 12, 2026
🇨🇳AI-generated imageA legendary Jiangsu dish featuring a whole chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and clay, slow-roasted to succulent perfection. The clay shell locks in every drop of moisture and aroma.
Ingredients
tick what you already have - the rest goes on your shopping listHow to Make It
- 1
Clean your 1.2kg chicken thoroughly and pat it bone-dry.
- 2
Rub the cavity and skin with a savory marinade of 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cooking wine, 20g grated ginger, 2 crushed star anise and 1 teaspoon salt.
- 3
Wrap the chicken tightly in 4 rehydrated lotus leaves to impart a subtle earthy fragrance.
- 4
Encase the wrapped chicken in 1kg of prepared culinary clay until completely sealed.
- 5
Preheat your oven to 180°C and place the clay orb on a heavy-duty baking tray.
- 6
Bake the clay-encased chicken for 180 minutes. Then push an instant-read thermometer through the clay and leaves into the thickest part of a thigh. It must read at least 74°C. If it reads lower, plug the hole with a little clay and bake for another 20 minutes, then check again. Repeat until the thigh reaches 74°C.
- 7
Once the thigh has reached 74°C, remove the chicken from the oven and carefully crack open the clay shell with a mallet.
- 8
Peel away the lotus leaves and serve immediately while the steam is still fragrant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Beggar's Chicken?
Beggar's Chicken is a Chinese dish consisting of a whole chicken marinated in soy sauce, cooking wine, ginger, and star anise, then wrapped in lotus leaves and clay. It is baked until tender and is typically served as a celebratory or main course meal.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
Use a fresh, whole free-range chicken weighing about 1.2 kilograms, as its firm meat holds up better during the long baking process.
Can I use regular kitchen clay instead of traditional beggar's chicken clay?
It is not recommended, as regular clay may contain chemicals or not harden properly; always use food-grade clay specifically intended for cooking.
Why are lotus leaves essential for this dish?
Lotus leaves provide a unique, earthy aroma and act as a moisture barrier that traps the juices, ensuring the chicken remains succulent inside the clay casing.
What is the best way to open the hardened clay crust after cooking?
Place the hardened clay sphere on a hard surface and use a small hammer or a heavy mallet to carefully crack the crust open before peeling away the lotus leaves.
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