Bak Kwa | 肉干 | Chinese BBQ Chicken Jerky
As you already know, I do not eat any other cuts of meat, except for chicken. You can imagine how wonderful I feel when I finally get the taste and texture right for this Festive Chinese New Year treat. This is a very popular treat during this festive season. People will queue for hours upon hours just to get their hands on some Bak Kwa. You're right, they are super pricy during this season.
This is my humble chicken version. I am proud to say that I do not use any food coloring or highly processed super-refined sugar like most eateries do. I use maltose syrup to get that sticky consistency. If you are having a hard time getting your hands on maltose syrup, you can replace it with pure honey or even maple syrup. You can also replace Rose Wine with Hua Tiao, Shao Xing or Sherry Wine. You might wanna try your luck at a local Chinese grocery store or simply order online via Amazon.
Lastly, I brushed the bak kwa with more maltose syrup with a touch of liquid smoke to get that glossy shine and smokey flavor. My daughters commented that it tastes exactly the same or even better; better texture, better taste and of cos better ingredients. Instead of spending huge dollars and hours standing in line to buy these for the Chinese New Year, why not make them at home?
Bak Kwa | 肉干 | Chinese BBQ Chicken Jerky
As you already know, I do not eat any other cuts of meat, except for chicken. You can imagine how wonderful I feel when I finally get the taste and texture right for this Festive Chinese New Year treat. This is a very popular treat during this festive season. People will queue for hours upon hours just to get their hands on some Bak Kwa. You're right, they are super pricy during this season.
This is my humble chicken version. I am proud to say that I do not use any food coloring or highly processed super-refined sugar like most eateries do. I use maltose syrup to get that sticky consistency. If you are having a hard time getting your hands on maltose syrup, you can replace it with pure honey or even maple syrup. You can also replace Rose Wine with Hua Tiao, Shao Xing or Sherry Wine. You might wanna try your luck at a local Chinese grocery store or simply order online via Amazon.
Lastly, I brushed the bak kwa with more maltose syrup with a touch of liquid smoke to get that glossy shine and smokey flavor. My daughters commented that it tastes exactly the same or even better; better texture, better taste and of cos better ingredients. Instead of spending huge dollars and hours standing in line to buy these for the Chinese New Year, why not make them at home?
Cooking Instructions
- 1
You can check out my previous recipe for the homemade Chinese 5 spice.
- 2
If you have a meat grinder, that's great. Grind the chicken thigh with your meat grinder.
If not, you can use a blender or a food processor.
Cut half of the chicken thigh into small pieces.
Blend or process them up in batches.
*Do not over blend or process them. Stop once the meat is ground up.* - 3
Transfer the ground chicken into a large mixing bowl.
As for the remaining half of the chicken thigh, use a cleaver, chop into fine pieces.
Chop as finely as humanly can.
Transfer the chopped chicken into the same bowl as the ground chicken. - 4
Add in the rest of the ingredients, except for the liquid smoke.
Mix to combine well. Mix, mix, mix.
*A quick tip. Maltose syrup is difficult to work with at room temperature. After measuring out, transfer to a heatproof bowl and let steam for about 5 mins or until the maltose is liquified.*
Cover with cling film and marinate in the fridge overnight. - 5
Preheat oven to 180 degree celsius or 360 fahrenheit.
Transfer about 2 heaped TBSP of the chicken onto a parchment paper.
Place the other parchment paper on top of the chicken.
Using a rolling pin, roll and spread out the chicken into a square as evenly as you can, to about 1/8 inch thick.
Remove the top parchment paper. - 6
Do not discard, as you can use it for your second batch.*
Transfer the chicken with the bottom parchment paper onto your baking tray.
Wack into the oven and bake for 10 mins.
*(Optional) For some extra smoked flavors, you can add some smoking chips into a large bowl covered with aluminum foil. Set it on a light fire and place it at the bottom of your oven while baking the chicken.* - 7
Mix 2 heaped TBSP of maltose and liquid smoke until well combined.
*Keep it warm on a double boiler for easier handling. If you are using honey or maple syrup, you can skip this step.*
Remove from the oven.
Brush the chicken with the maltose mixture. - 8
Wack into the oven and bake for another 10 mins.
Remove from the oven.
Set oven to roast.
Brush the chicken with more maltose mixture. - 9
Wack into oven and roast for 5 mins.
Remove from oven, flip and brush the chicken with maltose mixture.
Wack into oven and bake for a final 5 mins or until the edge are lightly charred.
Remove from oven, set aside to rest and cool before serving. It will taste better the next day.
Repeat the process for the remaining chicken.
- 10
Smoked version:
I also included a smoked version with the help of my NordicWare's Stovetop Kettle Smoker. It is optional. But I would recommend smoking these Bak Kwa. Yes, it does lack texture but sure makes up for flavors. And I mean, complex layers of flavors.
- 11
For the smoking method.
*If you are using this smoked method, replace smoked salt with sea salt.*
If you have a smoker, I would highly recommend smoking the chicken jerky. Although it lacks texture, it makes up for flavors.
I am using NordicWare's Stovetop Kettle Smoker. - 12
Follow the procedures as per instructed manual.
After the chicken had been marinated, transfer about 2 heaped TBSP of the chicken onto a parchment paper.
Place the other parchment paper on top of the chicken.
Using a rolling pin, roll and spread out the chicken into a circle (smaller than the kettle smoker), as evenly as you can, to about 1/8 inch thick. - 13
Remove the top parchment paper.
*Do not discard, as you can use it for your second batch.*
*Keep maltose warm on a double boiler for easier handling. If you are using honey or maple syrup, you can skip this step.*
Smoke for 15 mins, remove the cover, brush with the maltose. - 14
Cover and smoke for another 15 mins.
Remove cover, flip and brush with the maltose.
Cover and smoke for a final 10 or 15 mins or until the edges are lightly charred.
*I would suggest, taking the temperature higher than stated in the instruction manual, cos we want those charred edges.*
Remove from smoker, set aside to rest and cool before serving. It will taste better the next day.
Repeat the process for the remaining chicken.
- 15
You can check out the detailed recipe video:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CK38AJ6lgxv/
Cooksnaps
Did you make this recipe? Share a picture of your creation!
Top Search in
Similar Recipes
-
Bak Kwa Sambal Nasi Goreng | Jerky Sambal Fried Rice Bak Kwa Sambal Nasi Goreng | Jerky Sambal Fried Rice
I seem to be in a fried rice frenzy these days. Largely due to the influence of Uncle Roger storming thru social media. Haiya! If you do not know who Uncle Roger is, you are clearly missing out a lot. Like a lot! Secondly, after my kimchi fried rice, I began falling in love with fried rice even tho I am not a fan of rice. Yes, I am saying that out loud. I am considered a black sheep for disliking rice in my family, cos dogma has it that Asians need to have rice in their diet.After Lunar New Year, we will tend to have loads of bak kwa remaining. My grandma just whipped up this fried rice one day, using bak kwa leftovers and a very unique sauce. Her secret ingredient is the black fermented shrimp paste. It has that sweet umami bomb that elevates the whole dish. You can of cos use bacon or even Prosciutto. If you want your bacon or Prosciutto to be crispy, you can precook them before stir-frying into the fried rice. In closing, I hope you will give this recipe a try and I hope Uncle Roger will approve.
-
Chinese Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Chinese Barbecue Chicken Meatballs
You can get this barbecue sauce at any Asian market, or you can substitute it with another Asian barbecue sauce you can find at your local grocery store.I used a spice grinder to freshly grind my spices, as well as grind my rice to use for the rice flour, but you can use store bought just fine.
-
Baked bbq chicken Baked bbq chicken
This chicken is delicious and can serve with just about anything ...you can use anywhere from 6 to 18 peaces of chicken and you don't have to double the recipe unless you want them really saucy .. I used 18 peaces of drumsticks and it was delicious !
-
Oven Jerk BBQ Chicken Oven Jerk BBQ Chicken
This recipe is very spicy 🌶🌶🌶You can also use it for jerk chicken. Just take away the BBQ sauce and cook the chicken on the grill😋🤗
-
Chinese BBQ Chicken Marinade Chinese BBQ Chicken Marinade
I love making my own style of Asian dishes. Roast pork is a family favorite so I adapted my own at home version of the marinade to use for it. This marinade can be used in chicken like I did today or more traditionally with boneless pork ribs or pork loin. It's such a warm, sweet, hot sauce. Just delicious.
-
Bacon Paste BBQ Chicken Skewers Bacon Paste BBQ Chicken Skewers
This recipe is modified from cooks illustrated to include a bit more sauce and a bit more heat in the form of chipotles. Don't skip the sugar in the rub as it aids in crisping and carmelizing the edges of the chicken.
-
Simple BBQ Chicken Simple BBQ Chicken
A lot of BBQ Chicken recipes wants a lot of spices and other things you need to buy but if you just have chicken breasts and BBQ sauce, this is a recipe that only requires those two ingredients.
-
Mock BBQ Chicken Mock BBQ Chicken
I was really happy with this BBQ style sauce so I posted this recipe.My family doesn't like spicy food but this sauce is sweet, so nobody notices it has mustard in it! Recipe by Nyakun
-
-
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
This deliciously easy chicken, can be grilled, baked, or cooked on the griddle. Paired with some sticky rice and shredded cabbage and you have a great family meal.
Sav6777 -
Pulled BBQ Chicken Pulled BBQ Chicken
The perfect recipe to feed many hungry football fans. I used this recipe and simply doubled the ingredients to make enough. Everything turned out great! -
Barbecue Chicken Barbecue Chicken
Barbecue chicken consists of chicken parts or entire chicken that are barbecued, grilled or smoked. There are many global and regional preparation techniques and cooking styles. Barbecue chicken is often seasoned or coated in a spice rub, barbecue sauce, or both. Marinades are also used to tenderize the meat and add flavor. Barbecued chicken is one of the world's most popular barbecue dishes.
More Recipes
Comments (2)