Chicken cooked in clay.

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Published on Aug 18, 2022 12,028,150 views 990,442 likes

Chicken Cooked in Clay (Beggar's Chicken)

I've spent 25% of my life living in China. When first got there over 10 years ago I was taken out to dinner and this is the dish we were served (Beggar's Chicken). The clay covered chicken arrived on a cart and they let me go up and crack it open with a hammer. It completely blew my mind and I remember absolutely loving it. It's funny though, that was the first and last time I ever ate it while living there and had forgotten about the experience until recently.

Where did Beggar's Chicken come from? There's a few different stories but this is generally how the story goes. Thousands of years ago a beggar was able to get his hands on a chicken but lacked any pots, pans or utensils. So he covered it up in some clay and cooked it in a fire.

Is it practical?

Wrapping the chicken so many times prevents steam from escaping and the lotus leaves make a dramatic difference in flavor. You could certainly achieve similar results with modern day equipment. But honestly there is nothing more fun than cracking open a clay