Chicken Hot Pot

This recipe from chef Kuniko Yagi of L.A.’s Hinoki & the Bird was inspired by Japanese nabemono, a pot of broth simmering on the table over a portable burner. People serve themselves, adding accompaniments like greens and daikon radish presented alongside. For extra richness, pour in a whisked egg; it will “feather” like egg drop soup. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes  Recipe from Food & Wine Chefs' Easy Weeknight Dinners

Chicken Hot Pot
Photo: © Fredrika Stjärne
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Yield:
4

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken drumsticks (1 pound)

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ cup dark soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh)

  • 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar

  • 3 cups seasonal vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips and leafy greens (thinly sliced)

  • 1 piece daikon radish (3-inch peeled and grated)

  • 1 piece fresh ginger (2-inch peeled and grated)

  • Togarashi (for serving, see Note)

  • 12 ounces cooked udon, soba or somen noodles or brown rice (for serving)

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, cover the chicken with 8 cups of water (it should come two-thirds of the way up the side of the pan) and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the salt, then reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer gently for 20 minutes, skimming the foam occasionally.

  2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the soy sauce, lemon juice and vinegar to a simmer over high heat. Remove the ponzu sauce from the heat.

  3. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Add any root vegetables to the simmering broth and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to 4 bowls. Pull the chicken meat into large pieces, discard the skin and bones and add the chicken to the bowls.

  4. Add any leafy greens to the simmering broth and cook until just wilted and bright green, about 1 minute. Transfer the greens to the bowls and add 1/2 cup of broth to each. (Keep the remaining broth simmering in the saucepan.) Season each serving with some of the daikon, ginger, togarashi and ponzu sauce and serve.

  5. When everyone has finished eating the chicken and vegetables, stir the noodles into the simmering broth until hot, then divide the noodles and broth among the bowls, season with more daikon, ginger, togarashi and ponzu sauce and serve.

Make Ahead

The ponzu sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Notes

Togarashi, a Japanese blend of chiles and sesame seeds, is available at Asian markets.

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