Spicy Pickled Chicken Feet (Juewei-Style)

Chinese Spicy Pickled Chicken Feet (Juewei-Style)

Spicy Pickled Chicken Feet are a popular Chinese snack known for their crunchy texture, tangy aroma, and bold spicy flavor. Inspired by the famous Juewei  style, this dish combines pickled chili peppers, vinegar, and aromatic spices to create a mouth-watering cold appetizer.

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Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 kg chicken feet

• 1 lemon (sliced)

• Ice water (for cooling)

For Boiling

• 3 slices ginger

• 2 scallions

• 2 tablespoons cooking wine

For the Pickling Brine

• 200 ml pickled chili pepper brine

• 10–15 pickled chili peppers (泡椒), sliced

• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• 2 tablespoons chili oil

• 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorn oil

• 5 cloves garlic, sliced

• 1 small onion, sliced

• 1 small carrot, sliced

• 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 star anise

• 300–400 ml cold boiled water

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Instructions

Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Chicken Feet

1. Trim off the toenails from the chicken feet.

2. Rinse thoroughly and soak in cold water for 30 minutes to remove impurities.

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Step 2: Boil the Chicken Feet

1. Place the chicken feet in a pot with cold water.

2. Add ginger slices, scallions, and cooking wine.

3. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then reduce to medium heat.

4. Boil for 12–15 minutes until just cooked but still firm.

5. Immediately transfer the chicken feet into ice water and soak for 10 minutes to create a crisp texture.

6. Drain well.

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Step 3: Prepare the Pickling Brine

1. In a large bowl, combine pickled chili brine, sliced pickled chilies, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, chili oil, and Sichuan peppercorn oil.

2. Add garlic, onion, carrot, Sichuan peppercorns, bay leaves, and star anise.

3. Pour in cold boiled water and mix well.

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Step 4: Pickle the Chicken Feet

1. Submerge the cooled chicken feet completely in the brine.

2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, preferably 24–48 hours for deeper flavor.

3. Stir once or twice during marination to ensure even seasoning.

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Tips for Authentic Juewei Flavor

• The ice-water shock is key to achieving a crunchy texture.

• Adjust chili oil and pickled chilies based on your spice tolerance.

• Adding lemon slices enhances freshness and reduces greasiness.

• Always keep the chicken feet fully submerged to avoid spoilage.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve chilled as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. This dish pairs perfectly with cold beer or iced tea and is especially popular in summer.