Herbal Chicken Soup

炖鸡汤

This is a classic herbal soup which is nutritious and nourishing for the body. You can either buy the Chinese herbs individually and put them together or buy a packet of ready herbal mix from supermarkets. 

Ingredients (you can double the quantity of herbs for a stronger herbal taste)

1 chicken

1 litre water

2 dried ginseng roots

1 slice Indian bread

2 tablespoon lotus seeds

2-3 pieces Chuanxiong rhizome

2-3 pieces Chinese angelica root

4-5 pieces Liquorice root

1 tablespoon wolberry fruit (Goji Berry)

1 Honey date

1 Jujube

Method

1. Cut off the chicken feet, wing tips and tail. Remove excess fats around the chicken. Rub 1 tablespoon of salt all over the chicken to clean it and wash the salt away under running water. Blanch the whole chicken with water to remove impurities and scum. Rinse the chicken and set aside.

2. Put the chinese herbs except Goji Berry into a pot with 1 litre water. Add the chicken and bring the water to a boil. Then lower heat and simmer for 1 hour.

3. After 1 hour, take out the ginseng roots, slice and return them to the soup. Simmer for another 1 hour.

4. Add Goji Berry and season the soup with salt. Simmer for another 15 minutes.

5. Remove from heat and serve warm.