Steamed chicken is a popular home-style dish in Pingliang, Gansu province. [Photo/WeChat account: PLSWGJ]

Steamed chicken is a delicious home-style dish, with the variety made in Libao and Gaoping of Jingchuan county being especially well known. The steaming process preserves the natural flavors of the ingredients, creating a delicate, lingering aroma while making the dish light and nourishing.

To prepare the dish, marinate half a free-range chicken with salt, light soy sauce, cooking wine, ginger and scallion for one hour. Chop it into small pieces, mix it with ground Sichuan pepper, chopped scallions, flaxseed oil and a light flour batter. Steam for about 20 minutes until cooking through.

For the dipping sauce, heat a little oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add light soy sauce, cooking wine, ground pepper, oil, chopped scallions and coriander, then mix well. The chicken, once steamed and cooled, is tender, while the flour coating has a delicate, fragrant aroma. Served with the dipping sauce, the chicken becomes even more flavorful.