Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, Dried Scallop, and Silkie Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

Silkie chicken (also called black-bone chicken or wu gu ji in Mandarin) is one of those ingredients that looks unusual but has a well-established reputation in Chinese food-therapy. Unlike ordinary chicken, silkie chicken contains 18 amino acids and meaningful amounts of B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and various trace minerals — yet its fat content is relatively low, which means it makes a deeply nourishing broth without feeling heavy or prone to causing the internal heat that richer meats sometimes produce. Paired with lotus seeds and lily bulb — two herbs associated with calming the mind and supporting heart and blood — and with dried scallops adding a beautiful savoury sweetness, this soup is what Bro Niu reaches for when someone needs genuine restoration: students burning through exam periods, new mothers recovering from childbirth, or anyone whose energy and mental clarity have been depleted.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for the whole family; particularly associated with benefit for students during intensive study periods, new mothers with blood deficiency, and those with pale complexion, mild anxiety, or difficulty sleeping
• Also supportive for those with iron-deficiency type anaemia or mild nervous exhaustion
• When choosing silkie chicken, look for a smaller bird with darker, blacker skin — very large birds may have been raised with growth hormones

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Silkie chicken (zhu si ji): Contains 18 amino acids plus vitamins B, C, and E; much lower in fat than regular chicken. In food-therapy, considered a top-tier tonic for blood and vital essence, particularly for women.
• Lotus seeds (lian zi): A classic heart and spleen tonic; traditionally used to calm the mind, ease palpitations, and support restful sleep. Remove the bitter green centre (the embryo) before use if present.
• Lily bulb (bai he): Sweet and slightly cool; associated with nourishing the lungs and heart, clearing mild heat, and calming the nerves.
• Dried scallops (yao zhu): Add a rich umami quality to the broth; in food-therapy, associated with nourishing yin and supporting the kidneys.
• Red dates (hong zao): Classic blood and qi tonic; add natural sweetness and warmth.

Ingredients (4–5 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Lotus seeds	~38 g (1 liang)	Soak and rinse; remove the green embryo if present
Lily bulb	~38 g (1 liang)	Soak and rinse
Dried scallops	2–3 pieces	Rinse gently
Fresh ginger	3 slices
Red dates	6 pieces	Pitted
Silkie chicken	1 whole bird	Cleaned, jointed into large pieces; blanched in boiling water
Water	8 bowls (~1.6 litres)

Method

1. Soak the lotus seeds and lily bulb in water for 20 minutes; rinse and drain.
2. Rinse the dried scallops. Pit the red dates.
3. Clean the silkie chicken, cut into large pieces, and blanch in boiling water for 2–3 minutes; drain and rinse.
4. Combine all ingredients with 8 bowls of water in a pot.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for 1.5 hours.
6. Serve and eat the soup along with the solid ingredients for maximum benefit.

Bro Niu’s tips

When buying silkie chicken, bigger is not better. A very large bird may have been raised with growth hormones. Look for a smaller bird — ideally one with visibly dark or black skin, even around the legs. This soup is especially well-suited to those with iron-deficiency type anaemia and nervous debility.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Helen): I am a breast cancer survivor. Since my surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, my fingertips and toes are still very numb. I also get breathless more easily. Is there a suitable soup? Bro Niu: Try a soup using five-finger peach root (wu zhi mao tao, 1 liang), astragalus (bei qi, 5 qian), Chinese yam (huai shan, 5 qian), chestnuts (2 liang), ginger (3 slices), and red dates (5 pieces) cooked with pork shank. Use 8–9 bowls of water and simmer for 2 hours. The whole family can drink it. Take 2–3 times per week to support qi, blood, and constitution.

• Q (reader): I have hand eczema — is this soup suitable? Bro Niu: People with hand eczema can still enjoy this soup — it is fine to drink.

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Published April 30, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.