A Festive Centrepiece to Share: Prosperity Braised Chicken with Abalone

Planning your Chinese New Year menu and looking for a dish that feels special without being complicated? This Prosperity Braised Chicken with Abalone is made for moments like these. It is hearty, comforting, and rich in meaning, perfect for gathering family around the table to share a meal that symbolises abundance and togetherness.

With tender chicken, savoury braising sauce, and baby abalone, this dish delivers festive flavours while remaining approachable for home cooks. It is a wonderful option when you want something impressive, yet familiar.

Why Prosperity Braised Chicken with Abalone Is a CNY Favourite

Braised chicken is a classic celebratory dish, often served during festive occasions for its comforting taste and generous portions. Adding abalone elevates the dish further, as abalone is commonly associated with prosperity, good fortune, and celebration.

This recipe balances richness with simplicity. The chicken is marinated to deepen flavour, lightly browned for better texture, then gently braised in abalone sauce until tender. The result is a dish that feels festive without being heavy, making it suitable for sharing across generations.

Ingredients You'll Need

Before you begin, prepare the following ingredients.

Fresh

• 1 whole chicken (about 1 kg)

• 1 can braised baby abalone

• 100 g broccoli

• ½ carrot

• Some spring onion

• Coriander leaves, for garnish

Pantry Staples

• 6 garlic cloves

• 6 shallots

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 250 ml abalone braised sauce (diluted with water to make 250 ml)

• 1 tsp cornflour mixed with 2 tsp water

Marinade (3 hours)

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1 tbsp premium oyster sauce

• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine

• 1 tsp dark soy sauce

• 2 tsp sesame oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the whole chicken with all the marinade ingredients and set aside for at least 3 hours. Before cooking, let the chicken rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes.

2. Lightly spray the chicken with oil and brown it in an air fryer at 200°C for 15 minutes until the skin is lightly golden. Set aside.

3. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic and shallots until fragrant and lightly softened.

4. Add spring onion and the air-fried chicken into the pot. Pour in the remaining marinade and the diluted abalone braised sauce. If desired, add a small drizzle of cooking wine.

5. Cover the pot and simmer over low to medium heat for about 15 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the sauce.

6. Add broccoli, carrot, and the baby abalones. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant.

7. Stir in the cornflour slurry and mix gently until the sauce thickens slightly. Turn off the heat.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Prosperity Braised Chicken with Abalone hot, generously coated with sauce. It pairs well with steamed white rice or longevity noodles, making it ideal as a centrepiece dish for Chinese New Year meals or family gatherings.

Tips to Make It Better

• Marination matters: Allow the chicken to marinate fully for deeper flavour and a richer braise.

  
  

• Vegetable timing: Add vegetables towards the end to keep them bright and slightly crisp.

  
  

• Sauce control: Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more or less cornflour slurry to suit your preference.

A Dish Made for Sharing

This Prosperity Braised Chicken with Abalone is more than just a festive recipe. It is a dish that brings people together, encourages sharing, and celebrates tradition through food.

Whether served during Chinese New Year or a special family meal, it is sure to leave a lasting impression at the table.

Happy cooking!

This recipe is from Wen’s Delight, founded by Wendy Han, is a personal food blog that celebrates home cooking, baking, and everyday meals made with heart. Known for her warm, approachable style, Wendy shares recipes inspired by home kitchens, local flavours, and her love for food as a way to bring joy and connection to everyday life.

Through Wen’s Delight, Wendy captures the simple pleasure of cooking and eating well, encouraging home cooks to explore flavours, enjoy the process, and create meaningful moments around the table.