Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup

Traditional Chinese medicine has been trending on social media lately so I thought I would share one of my favorite soups in this category - Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup!

It's extremely nourishing, boosts immunity, helps digestion, and is rich in collagen. This soup is made with nutrient packed superfoods so what's not to love?

What is Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup?

Chinese chicken herbal soup is a traditional slow-simmered soup made with whole chicken and healing ingredients like red dates, goji berries, dried longan, and Chinese yam. It’s known for being comforting, lightly sweet, and packed with natural flavors that develop over time.

Why You’ll Love This Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup

• Deep comforting flavor: The long simmer creates a naturally rich and slightly sweet broth. I feel better every time I take a sip of this delicious soup.
• Simple ingredients: Everything is straightforward and pantry-friendly if you cook Asian food often.
• Hands-off cooking: Once it’s simmering, you can just let it do its thing.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large Pot
• Tongs or Slotted Spoon
• Fine Mesh Strainer (optional for clearer broth)
• Ladle

Ingredients for Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup

• Dried shiitake mushrooms: Adds deep umami flavor to the broth
• Chinese red dates (jujubes): Brings natural sweetness and warmth
• Dried longan: Adds a subtle floral sweetness. If you didn't know, longan is a small, sweet fruit similar to Lychee!
• Dried Chinese yam: Gives the soup a slightly starchy, nourishing quality
• Ginger: Helps balance flavors and adds warmth
• Goji berries: Adds a light sweetness and color at the end
• Whole chicken: Creates a rich, flavorful base for the soup
• Water
• Salt

Customizations

• Add herbs: Toss in ginseng for a more traditional herbal boost
• Use chicken parts: Swap whole chicken for drumsticks or bone-in thighs for convenience
• Lighter version: Skim excess fat from the top before serving

How to Make Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup

Prep the Ingredients

Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes until softened, then cut them in half. Rinse the Chinese red dates, dried longan, and dried Chinese yam, then set aside.

Simmer the Soup

In a large pot, add the whole chicken, shiitake mushrooms, red dates, dried longan, dried Chinese yam, ginger, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2.5-3 hours.

Check the soup occasionally and skim any excess scum or oil that rise to the top.

Finish the Soup

During the last 15 minutes of cooking, add the goji berries. Turn off the heat, season with salt to taste, gently mix, and serve warm.

Storage

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove so the chicken stays tender.

Tips to Make the Perfect Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup

• Low and slow: Keep it at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, for a clearer broth
• Don’t rush it: The longer simmer is what builds that naturally sweet flavor
• Balance matters: Taste at the end before adding salt since the ingredients already add sweetness

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to parboil the chicken?

It’s optional. Parboiling helps create a clearer broth by removing impurities, but if you don’t mind a slightly cloudier soup, you can skip it and just skim off any foam.

Can I use chicken pieces instead of a whole chicken?

Yes, bone-in pieces like thighs or drumsticks work great and still give you a flavorful broth.

Why does this Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup taste slightly sweet?

The natural sweetness comes from red dates, dried longan, and goji berries, which is what makes this soup so comforting.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, cook on low for about 6-8 hours for a similar result.

Is this soup healthy?

It’s considered nourishing and comforting, with ingredients traditionally used for wellness and balance.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

• Easy Wonton Soup
• Easy Miso Soup
• Easy Egg Drop Soup
• Hot and Sour Soup
• Microwave Hotpot
• Beef Udon Soup (Niku Udon)

Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup

A comforting Chinese chicken herbal soup made with whole chicken and traditional ingredients, slowly simmered for a naturally sweet and nourishing broth.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 298kcal

Author: Herman Chan

Equipment

• ▢
  Large Pot
• ▢
  Small Fine Mesh Strainer
• ▢
  Ladle

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

US Customary - Metric

• ▢ 4 dried shiitake mushrooms soaked, rehydrated and cut in half
• ▢ 8 Chinese red dates jujubes
• ▢ 10 dried longan
• ▢ 5 pieces dried Chinese yam
• ▢ 6 pieces thinly sliced ginger
• ▢ 1 whole chicken about 3-4 pounds
• ▢ 8 cups water
• ▢ 3 tablespoon goji berries
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste

Instructions

• Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes until softened, then cut them in half.
  4 dried shiitake mushrooms
• Add the Chinese red dates, dried longan, and dried Chinese yam to a bowl and give them a quick rinse. Set aside.
  8 Chinese red dates, 10 dried longan, 5 pieces dried Chinese yam
• In a large pot, add the whole chicken, shiitake mushrooms, red dates, dried longan, dried Chinese yam, ginger, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2.5-3 hours.
  6 pieces thinly sliced ginger, 1 whole chicken, 8 cups water
• During the last 15 minutes of cooking, add the goji berries.
  3 Tbsp goji berries
• Turn off the heat, season with salt to taste, and gently mix to combine. Serve warm.
  ½ tsp salt

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 359mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 178IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg