Have you ever wondered what to do with those chicken feet at your local market? Maybe you’ve been curious about trying them but don’t know where to start? Well, you’re in luck! Today, I’m gonna share everything you need to know about preparing and cooking chicken feet in various styles Trust me, once you try them, you might just discover your new favorite food!
Why You Should Consider Cooking Chicken Feet
Before we dive into the cooking methods let’s talk about why chicken feet are worth your time
- They’re incredibly rich in collagen (great for your skin, joints, and bone health)
- They’re inexpensive compared to other cuts of meat
- They offer a unique texture and flavor experience
- They’re a sustainable choice that uses the whole animal
- They’re part of many traditional cuisines around the world
Basic Preparation: Getting Your Chicken Feet Ready
No matter which cooking method you choose you’ll need to properly prepare your chicken feet first
Step 1: Clean and Trim
-
Clip off the nails: Use kitchen shears or a heavy cleaver to remove the toenails from each chicken foot. This is essential for both aesthetic and culinary reasons.
-
Wash thoroughly: Create a salt water bath by dissolving 1 tablespoon of salt in 1 quart of cold water. Place the chicken feet in this solution and scrub them clean with your fingers.
-
Remove any yellow skin: While washing, peel away any scaly, yellow outer skin. If it’s difficult to remove by hand, use kitchen shears to cut it away.
-
Rinse and dry: Rinse the feet under cool running water and dry them completely with paper towels.
Step 2: Blanching (Optional but Recommended)
Blanching helps to clean the feet further and improves texture:
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil
- Add the cleaned chicken feet to the water
- Boil for 2-3 minutes
- Remove and immediately plunge into an ice bath to stop the cooking
Chinese-Style Dim Sum Chicken Feet
One of the most popular ways to prepare chicken feet is the Chinese dim sum style, which involves frying, brining, and braising.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 lbs chicken feet (cleaned and trimmed)
- 1 quart vegetable or peanut oil for frying
- Star anise, ginger, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, cloves
- Rice wine
- Oyster sauce, soy sauce, black bean sauce
- Sugar, white pepper, chile peppers, garlic
- Cornstarch (for thickening)
Cooking Process:
-
Fry the feet: Heat oil to 350°F and fry the chicken feet in small batches until golden brown (about 8-10 minutes). Drain on paper towels.
-
Brine the feet: Combine hot water with star anise, ginger, cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves, and salt. Add the fried feet, then pour in rice wine and cold water. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
-
Braise the feet: Create a braising broth with water, rice wine, star anise, spring onions, and ginger. Add the brined feet and simmer until tender (1.5-2 hours).
-
Create the sauce: Mix reserved braising liquid with oyster sauce, soy sauce, black bean sauce, sugar, rice wine, white pepper, chile peppers, and garlic. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
-
Finish cooking: Add the feet back to the sauce and cook for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the feet.
You can serve immediately or store in the refrigerator and steam them the next day for even more developed flavor.
Southern-Style Chicken Feet
Southern-style cooking transforms chicken feet into a rich, comforting dish with bold flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Cleaned and trimmed chicken feet
- Chicken broth
- Smoked ham hocks or bacon
- Onions, garlic, celery, bell peppers
- Southern spices (smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper)
- Brown sugar or molasses
- Apple cider vinegar
Cooking Methods:
Slow Cooking (Recommended)
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours
- The feet should be very tender when done
Stovetop Method
- Simmer all ingredients over low heat
- Cook for 2-3 hours until tender
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking
Pressure Cooker (Fast Method)
- Combine ingredients in pressure cooker
- Cook at high pressure for 30-45 minutes
- Allow for natural pressure release
Finishing Touches:
After slow cooking, you can:
- Fry them: Pat dry, then fry in hot oil until crispy (5-7 minutes per side)
- Grill them: Brush with oil, season, and grill until slightly charred
Simple Boiled Chicken Feet
If you’re looking for the simplest preparation method, try this basic boiled recipe:
- Clean and trim the feet as described above
- Place in a pot with enough water to cover
- Add salt, peppercorns, bay leaf, and any other desired seasonings
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer
- Cook for 1.5-2 hours until tender
- Serve warm or allow to cool for snacking
Tips for Perfect Chicken Feet Every Time
- Don’t rush the cooking process – low and slow is key for tender feet
- Always clean thoroughly – this is critical for both taste and safety
- Experiment with spices – chicken feet absorb flavors well
- Save the cooking liquid – it makes an amazing collagen-rich broth
- Try different textures – from tender braised to crispy fried
FAQs About Cooking Chicken Feet
Are chicken feet safe to eat?
Absolutely! Just make sure they’re properly cleaned and cooked thoroughly.
What do chicken feet taste like?
They have a mild chicken flavor with a unique texture. The flavor mostly comes from what you cook them in.
Where can I buy chicken feet?
You can find them at Asian markets, specialty butcher shops, and some well-stocked grocery stores. Ask your local butcher if they can order them for you.
Can I freeze chicken feet?
Yes! You can freeze them raw (well-wrapped) or after cooking (in their braising liquid or separately).
How do I know when chicken feet are fully cooked?
They’re done when the meat is very tender and easily pulls away from the bones. The cartilage should be soft and gelatinous.
What’s the nutritional value of chicken feet?
They’re an excellent source of collagen, protein, and minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
Final Thoughts
Cooking chicken feet might seem intimidating at first, but with these methods, you’ll be creating delicious dishes in no time. The key is proper preparation and patience during cooking. Whether you prefer the bold flavors of Southern-style or the complex taste of Chinese dim sum chicken feet, this unique ingredient deserves a place in your culinary repertoire.
Remember that cooking is all about experimentation and finding what works for you. Don’t be afraid to adjust seasonings and cooking times to suit your preferences. I personally love adding extra chili to my chicken feet for some heat!
Have you tried cooking chicken feet before? What’s your favorite method? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Note: Always make sure to source your chicken feet from reputable suppliers and follow proper food safety guidelines when preparing and cooking them.
What can I do with the leftover sauce?
The sauce from these braised chicken feet is full of flavor and gelatin, so you should save any extra leftover sauce. You can use a small amount of the sauce to replace soy sauce and salt in your stir fries, to add a great flavor. You can also use a small amount of the sauce in noodle soup, to make a richer broth. You can even add some water to the sauce and use it to braise other things such as cut up chicken, pork, tofu, potato and / or carrot to make a super simple one-bowl meal.
Braised chicken feet may not be to everyone’s style, they are a beloved delicacy in Chinese cuisine and offer a flavorful and nutritious addition to any meal. I hope you like this Northern Chinese version!
Braised chicken feet ingredients
To make braised chicken feet, you will need:
- Chicken feet, nails clipped
- Light and dark soy sauce
- Aromatics (ginger and green onion)
- Spices (Bay leaves, cinnamon, dried chili pepper, Sichuan peppercorn, star anise)
- Red bean curd
- Sugar (or rock sugar)
When you’re ready to cook, you actually don’t need to lay out all the ingredients like I did in this photo. You can add them while cooking the dish, which saves you some bowls and plates to wash.