正定卤鸡Zhengding Braised Chicken : A Century-Old Flavor That Defines China’s Legendary Braised Cuisine!

If you’re looking to experience China’s time-honored braised food culture, then Zhengding Braised Chicken is a must-try! This isn’t just an ordinary braised chicken — it’s a culinary heritage simmered in century-old broth, where every bite carries the depth of history and tradition.

1. Origins & History

The story of Zhengding Braised Chicken dates back to the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty. It was first created by the Hui Muslim Ma family in Zhengding, who used free-range local chicken, dozens of spices, and a secret ancestral recipe. This dish embodies the Chinese culinary wisdom of “never compromise on refinement” — turning simple ingredients into an extraordinary delicacy through time and patience.

2. Cultural Significance

In Zhengding, braised chicken is considered the highest form of hospitality. Locals say: “If you come to Zhengding, you must eat Ma’s Chicken.” It’s not only an essential dish for festivals and holidays but also the taste of home for those far away. At weddings and birthday banquets, a table without braised chicken feels as incomplete as Christmas dinner without turkey in the West.

3. Ingredients & Features

• Main Ingredient: One-year-old free-range chicken (firm, flavorful, and chewy meat)
• Soul of the Dish: Century-old broth (infused with cloves, amomum, cardamom, and more than 10 spices)
• Special Touch: Halal slaughtering methods, ensuring freshness and tenderness
• Final Presentation: Reddish-brown glaze, aromatic, tender meat that falls easily from the bone

4. Cooking Method

This dish follows the unique “old broth, new braise” tradition:
Fresh live chicken → Halal butchering → Slow braise in century-old broth over low fire → Regular turning for even flavor → Finished with a brush of fragrant sesame oil → Resulting in a glossy amber surface.
The process takes 6–8 hours, a true culinary ritual of patience.

5. Flavor & Taste

The first bite bursts with rich braised fragrance, followed by juicy, tender chicken meat. The complex spice profile unfolds gradually, layer by layer. The chicken is so tender that the meat separates from the bone with a light touch of chopsticks. Even the bones themselves are infused with the broth’s savory depth — truly addictive!

6. How to Eat

The most authentic way is to tear it apart by hand! Pair it with a freshly baked crispy flatbread and take a big bite — the hot-and-cold contrast is unforgettable. Locals also love dipping it in garlic paste and aged vinegar, which intensify the flavors. For the ultimate Zhengding-style meal, enjoy it with a bowl of millet porridge.

7. Where to Try

Head straight to the ancient city of Zhengding, Hebei Province.

• Must-Visit Restaurant: Ma Family Old Chicken Shop (founded in the Qing Dynasty’s Xianfeng era)
• Price: Whole chicken 60–80 RMB (≈8–12 USD); half chicken 30–40 RMB
  When ordering, say: “Yào yì zhī lǔ jī, qiē kuài!” (“One braised chicken, cut into pieces please!”). Many shops will even give you a bag of braising sauce to take home — perfect for mixing with noodles or rice.

8. Traveler’s Tips

• English Name: Zhengding Braised Chicken
• Best for Souvenirs: Vacuum-packed versions last up to a week — ideal for gifts
• Serving Tip: Tastes even better when eaten cold, as the flavors soak deeper into the meat
• Cultural Note: Zhengding Braised Chicken is a halal dish, making it suitable for Muslim travelers

DIY Home Recipe:

1. Take one three-yellow chicken, blanch briefly
2. Add spices (star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves) into a pot
3. Season with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rock sugar, and water
4. Add the chicken and simmer on low heat for 2 hours
5. Let it soak in the broth for another 4 hours for maximum flavor

🐔✨ Taste 100 Years of Flavor in One Bite ✨🐔
Zhengding Braised Chicken is more than food — it’s a living culinary heritage. Rich, aromatic, and steeped in history, it’s a must-have memory on your Chinese food journey. Don’t forget to snap a photo and post: “Today I tried a Qing Dynasty-style braised chicken — a taste so good it felt like traveling through time!”