Slow-Simmered Cantonese-Style Herbal Chicken Soup

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

A nourishing Cantonese herbal chicken soup slow-simmered with Chinese herbs for rich, comforting flavors and health benefits. This Chinese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs whole chicken, dried goji berries, dried red dates for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, 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: 15 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 3 lbs cut chicken pieces under cold water and blanch briefly in boiling water for 2 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and rinse.
  2. Step 2: In a large stockpot, add 10 cups water, the blanched chicken pieces, 1/4 cup dried goji berries, 6 pitted dried red dates, 1 tbsp dried angelica root, 3 slices ginger, and 4 smashed garlic cloves.
  3. Step 3: Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer gently, partially covered, for 2 hours until the chicken is tender and the broth is richly infused.
  4. Step 4: Season the soup with 1 tsp salt, stirring to dissolve.
  5. Step 5: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with 2 chopped green onions before serving warm for a restorative meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Cantonese-Style Herbal Chicken Soup take to make?

Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Slow-Simmered Cantonese-Style Herbal 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 whole chicken from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Cantonese-Style Herbal 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 Slow-Simmered Cantonese-Style Herbal Chicken Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Slow-Simmered Cantonese-Style Herbal 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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