Hot and Sour Chicken Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tangy and spicy broth with tender chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and a kick of Sichuan peppercorns, balanced by the sweetness of bamboo shoots. This Chinese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs chicken breast, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add cubed chicken, sliced shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and crushed peppercorns.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to low, add rice vinegar, and simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms and sliced green onions. Cook for 2 more minutes until flavors meld. Serve hot with a side of steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Hot and Sour Chicken Soup take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Hot and Sour Chicken Soup?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Hot and Sour Chicken Soup?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Hot and Sour Chicken Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Hot and Sour Chicken Soup?

Chinese chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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