🐔 Chicken Feet — a delicacy enjoyed all over the world! They may look unusual if you haven’t cooked them before, but they’re incredibly flavorful and rich in collagen, which gives soups and sauces a silky texture. When cooked properly, the skin and tendons become tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft.
🍲 What Are Chicken Feet Used For?
Chicken feet are super versatile! You can:
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Simmer them in soups or broths (adds deep flavor and body).
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Braised or stewed — especially popular in Chinese, Filipino, and Jamaican cuisines.
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Fried and sauced — like dim sum–style phoenix claws in black bean sauce.
🐾 Basic Braised Chicken Feet Recipe (Chinese Style)
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
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2 lbs (900 g) chicken feet, cleaned and nails trimmed
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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2 tbsp oyster sauce
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1 tbsp hoisin sauce
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1 tbsp sugar (brown sugar preferred)
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1 star anise
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3 slices ginger
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2 cloves garlic, smashed
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1 cup chicken stock or water
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1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (optional)
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Oil for frying or sautéing
Instructions
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Prep the chicken feet:
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Wash thoroughly and trim off the tips of the claws with kitchen shears.
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Boil for 5 minutes to remove impurities, then drain and rinse.
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(Optional) Deep-fry or pan-sear:
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Some recipes deep-fry the feet briefly to make the skin puffy and chewy.
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You can also brown them in a bit of oil for flavor.
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Braise:
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In a wok or pot, heat a little oil and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant.
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Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin, sugar, and wine (if using).
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Stir in chicken feet and stock. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer gently for 1 to 1½ hours, until tender and flavorful.
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Finish:
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The sauce should be glossy and slightly sticky.
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Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds before serving.
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🍚 Serving Ideas
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Serve over steamed rice or alongside dim sum dishes.
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Add to ramen or congee for an ultra-rich broth.
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Save the leftover sauce — it’s amazing spooned over noodles!
Would you like me to give you a Filipino-style (adidas adobo) or dim sum-style black bean sauce version next?
