Craving Braised Chicken Feet? Here's How I Cooked Mine

Braised Chicken Feet in Broth for Storage. Photos by Flicker/Jep.

I bought a lot of chicken feet a while back, driven by a sudden craving for dimsum-style braised chicken feet. The only challenge? I’d never tried making them before.

Cooking chicken feet can seem daunting, but with a little preparation, you’ll end up with a dish that you will keep on going back to. While chicken feet may never win a beauty pageant, a bit of prework ensures they’re properly prepared, safe to cook, and yes - marginally prettier!

Preparing the Chicken Feet (Chicken Nail Salon Time)

1. Blanching: Blanch the chicken feet in boiling water for 30-60 seconds. This softens the skin, making it easier to peel off. Be careful not to overcook them during this step.

2. Peeling the Skin: Immediately transfer the blanched feet into cold water to halt the cooking process. Gently peel off the yellowish outer layer of skin using your fingers or a knife.

3. Trimming the Nails: With kitchen scissors or a knife, trim off the sharp tips of the claws.

4. Cleaning Thoroughly: Rinse the feet in cold water to eliminate any debris or dirt. If necessary, use a gentle scrub with a brush to ensure they’re clean.

Adding Color through Frying

Heat oil in a pan and fry the prepared chicken feet until they develop a light golden color. That's about 5 minutes. This step enhances their flavor and texture.

Braising with a Pressure Cooker

For the ultimate texture and flavor, you’ll need:

- 1 kg prepared chicken feet

- 1 medium onion, diced

- 1 garlic clove, minced

- 1/2 cup Chinese cooking wine

- 1/2 cup white cane vinegar

- 1/2 cup soy sauce

- 2 teaspoons all-spice

- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper

- 2 teaspoons paprika

- 1 pouch of fermented black beans (around 150 g)

- 1 star anise

- 1 bay leaf

Place the ingredients into a pressure cooker, adding just enough water to barely cover the chicken feet. Cook under pressure for 25 minutes.

To Serve or to Save, that is the Question

Once cooked, you can freeze these flavorful braised chicken feet for later. Simply steam them before serving. Personally, I love enjoying them alongside a steaming bowl of rice - it’s a comforting, delicious recipe that's guaranteed to truly satisfy your dimsum-style braised chicken feet cravings!