Traditional Chicken Congee with Ginseng

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A nourishing porridge made with bone-in chicken, ginseng, and rice, perfect for restoring energy and warmth. This chinese-inspired soups ready in about 75 minutes pairs (5 oz each) Chicken thighs, Rice, Ginseng slices for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

★ 4.6 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups rice and soak for 1 hour. In a pot, cook rice in 6 cups water over low heat for 45 minutes until tender.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes, and simmer for 30 minutes until meat falls off bones.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp ginseng slices and 4 chopped scallions. Cook for 10 more minutes until flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Discard bones, shred chicken, and serve the broth with rice and ginseng.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Traditional Chicken Congee with Ginseng take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Traditional Chicken Congee with Ginseng?

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 (5 oz each) chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Chicken Congee with Ginseng?

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 Traditional Chicken Congee with Ginseng 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 Traditional Chicken Congee with Ginseng?

Chinese soups 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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