Unconventional Chicken Delights: 28 Unique Chicken Recipes to Surprise Your Taste Buds
When it comes to chicken dishes, we often think of classics like fried chicken, roasted chicken, or chicken soup. However, in this round-up blog post, we’re exploring a collection of unconventional and extraordinary chicken recipes that are sure to amaze and intrigue you. From intriguing cooking methods to distinctive flavours, each dish on this list is a culinary adventure waiting to be explored. Get ready to discover something new and tantalizing for your next chicken meal.
Piyanggang Manok
Piyanggang Manok stands out with its unique use of burnt coconut milk. The chicken is marinated and simmered in this rich, smoky sauce, resulting in a bold and distinctive flavour profile that sets it apart from traditional chicken dishes.
Baked Cheesy Chicken Broccoli with Mushroom Rice
This dish combines tender chicken, cheesy goodness, and a delightful mix of broccoli and mushroom rice. The combination of flavours and textures creates a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Pepitoria
Pepitoria is a Spanish-inspired chicken dish known for its rich and nutty sauce. Made with ground almonds, saffron, and other aromatic spices, this recipe delivers a unique flavour experience that is both elegant and indulgent.
Chicken Lininggil
Chicken Lininggil is a Filipino dish where the chicken is marinated in a flavourful blend of spices, then cooked with mashed chicken liver, coconut milk and chillies, its creamy but with a zing.
Korean Fried Chicken Knees
Taking the love for Korean fried chicken to the next level, this dish features crispy and flavourful fried chicken knees. With a delightful combination of textures and a unique twist on the popular Korean fried chicken, this recipe is a must-try for adventurous eaters.
Chongqing Mala Chicken
Prepare your taste buds for a spicy adventure with Chongqing Mala Chicken. This Sichuan dish boasts a fiery and numbing flavour from the mala sauce, which combines spicy chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. It’s a bold and exciting dish that will leave you craving more.
Copycat Kenny Rogers Kimcheese Roast
A fusion of flavours awaits in this dish inspired by Kenny Rogers Roasters. The chicken is marinated with kimchi and topped with a cheesy sauce, creating a unique blend of tangy, spicy, and creamy flavours that will leave you pleasantly surprised.
Pollo Asado De Carajay
Pollo Asado De Carajay, which translates to Chicken Roasted or Grilled in a Wok, is a dish that has variations across many Filipino recipes. It involves cooking chicken or other meats in a “carajay” (a type of wok) along with a flavourful sauce. Common sauce options include combinations of mushrooms and cream, paprika and soy sauce, or tomatoes and vinegar, among others. Traditionally, the chicken and sauce are cooked together using a traditional Filipino cooking technique called “gisa,” which involves sautéing ingredients to develop flavours.
Chicken Pastil
Hailing from the Philippines, Chicken Pastil features chicken and rice wrapped in banana leaves. The combination of tender chicken and fragrant rice, steamed to perfection, creates a portable and delicious meal that is both unique and satisfying.
Salted Egg Chicken Burger
This inventive burger takes inspiration from the popular salted egg trend. Juicy chicken patty is coated in a creamy and savory salted egg sauce, providing a burst of flavours that elevate the traditional burger experience.
Chicken Embutido
Chicken Embutido is a Filipino-style meatloaf where ground chicken is mixed with a variety of ingredients like carrots, bell peppers, and raisins, rolled into a log, and steamed or baked. This unique twist on a classic dish made with pork that offers a delightful combination of flavours and textures.
40 Cloves Garlic Chicken
Prepare yourself for an aromatic experience with 40 Cloves Garlic Chicken. The chicken is roasted with a generous amount of garlic cloves, resulting in a rich and flavourful dish. The slow-roasted garlic becomes mellow and sweet, infusing the chicken with its unique essence.
Chicken Tocino
Chicken Tocino is a twist to a popular Filipino breakfast dish made usually with pork. Like its cousin this is very sweet and savory in flavour. It offers a delightful balance of sweet and tangy notes, setting it apart from other chicken recipes.
Chicken Castanets
Chicken Castanets is a delightful Filipino recipe that showcases the vibrant flavours of the cuisine. This dish features pan-seared marinated chicken cooked with chorizo, carrots, mushrooms, and tomatoes. The chicken is first marinated to infuse it with delicious flavours, then it is pan-seared to achieve a golden and flavourful exterior. The addition of chorizo, carrots, mushrooms, and tomatoes adds depth and richness to the dish, creating a harmonious blend of ingredients.
Chinese Braised Chicken with Taro
This Chinese-inspired dish showcases tender chicken and creamy taro simmered in a flavourful braising liquid. The taro adds a unique texture and subtle earthy flavour to the dish, making it a standout among traditional Chinese chicken recipes.
Salina Chicken
Salina Chicken is a simple and flavourful Italian dish inspired by Jamie Oliver. This delightful recipe features tender chicken and aubergines (eggplants) cooked with aromatic herbs, chilies, and tomatoes. The result is a delicious and satisfying combination of textures and tastes, with the juicy chicken complemented by the rich flavours of the tomatoes and the subtle heat from the chilies. Salina Chicken is a wonderful example of Italian cuisine that can be easily recreated at home for a hearty and comforting meal.
Spicy Chicken Gua Bao
Gua Bao, or steamed buns, are filled with spicy chicken in this recipe. The tender chicken is cooked in a flavourful sauce, offering a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Encased in fluffy steamed buns, it’s a unique and delightful culinary creation.
Aji de Gallina
Aji de Gallina is a Peruvian dish featuring shredded chicken in a creamy yellow chili sauce. The sauce is made from a blend of yellow chili peppers, cheese, milk, and spices, resulting in a vibrant and flavourful chicken dish that is sure to impress.
Piaparan
Originating from the Philippines, Piaparan is a chicken dish cooked in a flavourful mixture of turmeric, ginger, coconut milk, and other spices. The combination of ingredients creates a vibrant and aromatic dish that is both hearty and comforting.
Tinutong na Manok sa Gata
Tinutong na Manok sa Gata is a Filipino dish where the chicken is cooked in toasted coconut milk, imparting a rich and smoky flavour to the dish. This unique cooking technique adds depth to the overall taste and makes it a standout among traditional Filipino chicken recipes.
Hinalog na Manok
Hinalog na Manok is a Filipino dish where chicken is cooked with vegetables in a flavourful broth. The combination of chicken and vegetables creates a hearty and nutritious one-pot meal that stands out for its simplicity and comforting flavours.
Maple, Bacon, and Sesame Chicken
Prepare your taste buds for a sweet and savory adventure with Maple, Bacon, and Sesame Chicken. This dish features tender chicken glazed with a maple and sesame sauce, then topped with crispy bacon. The combination of flavours creates a mouth-watering experience that is hard to resist.
Taiwanese Sesame Oil Chicken Soup
Taiwanese Sesame Oil Chicken Soup is a nourishing and aromatic dish. The chicken is simmered in a flavourful broth with ginger, garlic, and a generous amount of sesame oil, resulting in a comforting and fragrant soup that is both soothing and satisfying.
Chicken Sorrentino
Chicken Sorrentino is an Italian dish that combines chicken, prosciutto, mozzarella cheese, and sage, all cooked together in a savory sauce. The unique combination of ingredients creates a dish with layers of flavours and a touch of elegance.
Frango com Quiabo
Frango com Quiabo is a Brazilian dish where chicken is cooked with okra, tomatoes, onions, and spices. The okra adds a distinct flavour and texture to the dish, making it a unique and delightful addition to your culinary repertoire.
Jee Jee Marinade Chicken
Jee Jee Marinade Chicken is a delightful chicken dish that showcases the bold flavours of XO Sauce. Tender chicken pieces are marinated in a rich and savory XO Sauce, which is a delicious blend of dried seafood, chilies, garlic, and other flavourful ingredients. Additionally, lap cheong (Chinese sausage), shiitake mushrooms, and chilies are added to the dish, creating a medley of enticing flavours and textures. This unique combination makes Jee Jee Marinade Chicken a standout dish that will tantalize your taste buds with its umami-rich profile and aromatic appeal.
Sambal Chicken
Sambal Chicken is a spicy and tangy dish popular in Southeast Asian cuisine. The chicken is cooked in a fiery sambal sauce made with chili peppers, spices, and other condiments, creating a flavourful and aromatic dish that will ignite your taste buds.
Chicken Pipian
Chicken Pipian showcases the distinctive flavours of the region with its rich and nutty sauce made from ground roasted rice, annatto powder, and various spices. The chicken is simmered in this flavourful sauce until tender and infused with the aromatic blend of ingredients. The result is a delightful combination of textures and flavours that sets Chicken Pipian apart from other chicken dishes. Experience the culinary heritage of Vigan with this extraordinary and lesser-known chicken recipe.
With this round-up of unique and extraordinary chicken recipes, we’ve explored a variety of flavours, cooking techniques, and cultural influences. From the smoky Piyanggang Manok to the savory Salted Egg Chicken Burger, each dish on this list offers something special that sets it apart from traditional chicken recipes. Whether you’re a culinary adventurer or simply looking to try something new, these unconventional chicken dishes are sure to surprise and delight your palate. Step out of your comfort zone and embark on a flavourful journey with these extraordinary chicken recipes.
This is one of the best chicken recipes collection, Raymund. There are a few of them that I know I really love, esp. the one with burnt coconut milk.
I think the sambal chicken wins my vote!
These all sound wonderful but I cannot wait to make the pepitoria – even though it is so hot here! That looks amazing. Thanks, Raymund!
Laura always says she won’t order chicken when we go out because it’s too boring. There is nothing boring about these recipes! Thanks for the inspiration, Raymund!