Herbal Tonic Chicken Soup
This Herbal Tonic Chicken Soup recipe contains ginseng for energy and red dates to help restore mind and body. Perfect for the those born in the Year of the Horse
By Barbara Koh OL -
A healing tonic, like this soup, is just what’s needed to restore mind and body. American ginseng helps strengthen “qi” or energy flow, red dates calm the mind, while chestnuts offer bone-strengthening copper.
Yield: 4-6 Servings
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 90 mins
Difficulty Level: 1/5
Ingredients
- ½ cup dried chestnuts, soaked overnight until softened
- 12.5 g American ginseng
- 5-6 large red dates (or a handful of small red dates)
- 500-800 g chicken, cut into quarters
- 2.5 L water
Steps
01. Scald chestnuts and red dates briefly, about 15-20 secs, in a pot of boiling water. Remove and rinse under running water. Transfer to a large heavy-based pot.
02. In the same pot of boiling water, scald chicken for 1 min, to remove blood and impurities. Remove chicken and rinse briefly under running water.
03. Place chicken in the pot, together with chestnuts and red dates.
04. Add water; it should be enough to cover the ingredients. Bring to boil, then lower heat. Simmer, with the lid slightly open, for 1½ hours. Serve hot.
A healing tonic, like this soup, is just what’s needed to restore mind and body. American ginseng helps strengthen “qi” or energy flow, red dates calm the mind, while chestnuts offer bone-strengthening copper.