Do not be surprised if you find yourself swelling with nostalgic feelings after reading the title of this page. Almost every Asian family will consume this dish as a weekly ritual with a proclaimed notion of “strengthening up” one’s body.
Though no one may know the scientific truth behind such notion, drinking Herbal Chicken soup does, in a way, soothe our lung and alleviate internal body heat.
It is a soup that rejuvenates your senses and quite frankly, delicious to drink. Simmered for hours, the combination of herbs and chicken parts produce an aromatic smell that will eventually fill the room and get your saliva flowing!
Ingredients (4 Servings):
- 1 whole chicken (cut into small pieces, keep the bones)
- 3 litres of water
- 8 dried jujube fruit (hong zao in Mandarin)
- 3 angelica roots (dang gui in Mandarin)
- 10 codonopsis root (dang shen in Mandarin)
- 10 slices lovage rhizome (chuan xiong in Mandarin)
- 1 slice of astragalus root (huang qi in Mandarin)
- 3 slices of Chinese wild yam
- 2 tbsp of goji berries (gou gi zi in Mandarin)
- 4-5 pcs of American ginseng root
- 4-5 pcs of ginger
- 2 tsp of salt (be adjusted until desired taste suffice)
Directions:
- Cut the whole chicken into pieces. Soak them in boiling water by using a large bowl for approximately 1 minute. Add ginger pieces into the boiling water to remove dirt or blood in the chicken
- Remove and place the chicken pieces (including bones) and cast aside to drain.
- Soak all the herbs in water in a large bowl (excluding goji berries). Cast aside for 40 minutes.
- Mix all the herbs with water in a slow cooker.
- Add the soaked chicken pieces and bones into the slow cooker.
- Add in goji berries.
- Pour enough water to fill the slow cooker.
- Switch on “auto mode” for approximately 3 hours. Alternatively, simmer it over a stove for 1 hour.
- Season with salt to acquire the desired taste.
- Ladle the soup occasionally to mix the soup evenly.
Tips: If you love a good taste, it is optional to add some chicken powder for that extra awesomeness. Also, if you find it troublesome to purchase the herbs individually, then head out to your local store or herb store. They usually sell these herbs in packets.