Handwritten recipe card for Chinese Chicken
by: salvagedrecipes

Chinese Chicken with Soy-Ginger Marinade

Chinese Chicken
Chinese Chicken is a flavorful baked dish that brings together the umami of soy sauce, the warmth of ginger, and the bite of garlic for a comforting, savory meal. This recipe, written in a traditional handwritten style, reflects mid-20th-century American interpretations of Chinese-inspired cooking, simple, homey, and meant to introduce Eastern flavors to Western kitchens. The marinade seeps into the chicken, creating a deep caramelized glaze as it bakes. Its drippings, often used as a rich gravy for potatoes or biscuits, make this dish beloved for its versatility and nostalgic flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Marinating time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp oil (vegetable or canola)
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 chicken fryer (about 3–4 lbs, cut up, washed, and dried)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

  • Combine soy sauce, oil, dry mustard, ginger, pepper, and minced garlic in a small bowl.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

  • Brush the marinade over chicken pieces. Let sit for 30 minutes to absorb flavor, then brush again.

Step 3: Bake the Chicken

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place chicken in a shallow pan or on an oven rack for crisper skin.

Step 4: Baste While Baking

  • Bake for 50 minutes, brushing with sauce every 15 minutes.

Step 5: Serve

  • Drippings may be used as gravy over potatoes or biscuits. Serve warm.

Tips

  • Use a rack over a shallow pan if you prefer very crisp chicken skin.
  • Substitute low-sodium soy sauce if you want to reduce saltiness.
  • Add a teaspoon of honey for a slightly sweet glaze.
  • Marinate the chicken longer (up to 8 hours refrigerated) for deeper flavor.
  • Line the pan with foil for easier cleanup of sticky drippings.
  • Use the pan drippings to make gravy for potatoes or biscuits, as the card suggests.
  • Try adding sliced green onions over the chicken before serving.
  • This recipe works with drumsticks or thighs only, not just a cut-up fryer.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 30gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 850mgPotassium: 290mgVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baked chicken, easy dinner, family meal, marinated chicken, oven baked, soy sauce chicken, vintage recipe, weeknight recipe
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