Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken (Da Pan Ji)
This hearty Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken features tender chicken pieces simmered with potatoes, bell peppers, and aromatics in a savory and spicy sauce. It's traditionally served over wide, hand-pulled noodles, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 1 hr 10 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Per serving
- 1,016 kcal
Allergen information: may contain gluten, soy, and sulphites. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
Ingredients
- 900 gchicken thigh, bone-in, skin-on, chopped into 2-inch (5.1 cm) pieces
- 400 gpotato, peeled and cut into 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) chunks
- 1 pcsgreen bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) chunks
- 1 pcsred bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) chunks
- 30 gginger, sliced
- 6 clovegarlic, smashed
- 8 pcsdried red chili, whole
- 1 tbspsichuan peppercorn, whole
- 2 pcsstar anise, whole
- 2 pcsbay leaf, dried
- 1 pcscinnamon stick, 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece
- 3 tbspcanola oil
- 1 tbspsugar
- 2 tbspdoubanjiang
- 2 tbsplight soy sauce
- 1 tspdark soy sauce
- 2 tbspshaoxing wine
- 3 cupchicken broth
- 0.5 tspsalt(optional)
garnish
- 30 ggreen onion, chopped
- 0.25 cupcilantro, chopped
serving suggestion
- 300 gwide noodle, fresh or dried, cooked
Equipment
large pot · dutch oven · cutting board · knife
The method
Step by step
- 1
Blanch the chicken pieces in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to remove impurities, then drain and rinse well under cold water.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Blanching helps ensure a cleaner, clearer sauce.
- 2
Heat the canola oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
About 1 min
- 3
Add the sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until it melts and turns into a light amber caramel.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: This step provides color and a subtle sweetness to the sauce.
- 4
Add the blanched chicken pieces to the pot and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until lightly browned.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Browning the chicken adds depth of flavor.
- 5
Push the chicken to one side, then add the ginger, garlic, dried red chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick to the empty space.
About 1 min
- 6
Sauté the aromatics for about 1 minute until fragrant.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Be careful not to burn the spices.
- 7
Stir in the doubanjiang and cook for another minute, until the oil turns red.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: The doubanjiang is key for the signature spicy and savory flavor.
- 8
Mix everything together, then add the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine.
About 1 min
- 9
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
About 3 min
- 10
Add the potato chunks, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
About 25 min
Cook’s note: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- 11
Stir in the green and red bell peppers and continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 5-7 minutes, until the peppers are tender-crisp and the sauce has thickened slightly.
About 7 min
Cook’s note: The bell peppers should retain some of their crunch.
- 12
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
About 1 min
- 13
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped green onion and cilantro, traditionally over wide noodles.
About 1 min
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 1,015.9kcal
- Protein
- 75.2g
- Carbs
- 88.7g
- Fat
- 38g
- Fibre
- 7.4g
- Sugar
- 11.2g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftover Da Pan Ji in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce is too thick.
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