Shou Mei Tea-Steamed Chicken with Scallions
Tender chicken gently steamed over a fragrant Shou Mei tea broth with ginger and scallions—a clean, honeyed dish that lets the white tea shine.
Shou Mei's mellow, honeyed body makes it an elegant base for a delicate steamed chicken. Rather than overpowering the meat, the white tea perfumes it with soft fruity and woody notes, leaving the chicken silky and subtly aromatic.
The technique is gentle: a strong Shou Mei infusion becomes the steaming liquid, with ginger and scallion infusing the chicken from below as it cooks. This keeps the meat exceptionally moist while building a clean, fragrant layer of flavor.
A light finishing drizzle of sesame oil, soy sauce, and the reduced tea broth ties everything together. The honeyed notes of the Shou Mei echo through the sauce, giving the dish a quiet sweetness that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
Serve this with a fresh cup of Shou Mei alongside—the tea on the plate and the tea in the cup mirror each other, making for a calm, harmonious meal that feels both nourishing and refined.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs or 1 small whole chicken, cut up
- 3 cups strong Shou Mei tea (3 tbsp loose leaf in 3 cups water)
- 1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 4 scallions, whites smashed, greens sliced for garnish
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (optional)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp sugar or honey
- Salt to taste
- Steamed jasmine rice, to serve
How to make it
- 1Brew Shou Mei strong and let it steep 5 minutes, then strain. Reserve the tea as your steaming liquid.
- 2Rub the chicken lightly with salt and a splash of the Shaoxing wine. Scatter ginger slices and smashed scallion whites over a heatproof plate.
- 3Set the chicken on the plate, pour over about half the Shou Mei tea, and place the plate in a steamer over simmering water.
- 4Steam, covered, for 25–30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.
- 5While it steams, simmer the remaining tea with soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar or honey until slightly reduced into a light sauce.
- 6Spoon the sauce over the chicken, garnish with sliced scallion greens, and serve with steamed jasmine rice.
Want to learn more about Shou Mei? Visit its full profile.
Back to Shou MeiYou might also like
What to Eat with Shou Mei White Tea
Shou Mei's honeyed, fruity body and gentle depth pair beautifully with dim sum, roasted nuts, stone fruit, and lightly sweet pastries.
Shou Mei Honey Poached Pears
Pears gently poached in a fragrant Shou Mei and honey syrup—a light, elegant dessert where the white tea's fruity, honeyed notes shine.