10 min preparation, 1-4 hrs cooking

Spices:

  • Huang Jing (Siberian Solomon’s Seal)
    • Cosmic Qi, Yang power, tonifies all Three Treasures. Makes the body light and clears the eyes.
  • Goji Berry (Fructus Lycii)
    • Vision, liver and kidneys, neuroprotective
  • Dang Shen (Codonopsis pilosula)
    • Enhance Qi and improve digestion, nourish blood, tonify lungs, boost vitality.
  • Chinese Yam
  • Ginseng Root
    • Manifold benefits
  • (Huang Qi) Astragalia

These can usually be found in a Chinese grocer as a single mix, but buying each separate and in bulk avoids packing markup— you can store a giant glass jar of this for years, cheaply, and only have to buy fresh chicken.

Any kind of chicken is fine, but chicken with bones, like a Maryland or a whole spatchcock (small chicken) works best.

Prepare:

  • Rinse, dry and salt chicken. Let sit for 30 minutes.
  • Place herbs, water and chicken in a pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
  • Occasionally check in to remove solids from surface of soup or add water if needed.
  • Cook for 1-4 hrs — 50% reduction is ideal.
  • Remove chicken and chop to serving size. Season soup with salt and serve in a bowl.

Compare with korean ginseng chicken soup