Prince Ginseng and Adenophora Silkie Chicken Soup

Why people make this soup

Some people find that when the weather shifts between warm and cold — especially the unpredictable temperature swings of late autumn or winter — they are prone to a dry, ticklish cough, a parched throat, or a general feeling of depletion. In traditional Chinese food therapy this is often described as “lung qi deficiency with some internal heat” or a yin-deficient constitution. This soup was designed for exactly that kind of person: it is gentle, mildly sweet, and deeply nourishing without being warming or tonifying in a way that would aggravate internal heat. Nourilo describes it as both delicious and beneficial — and suitable for the whole family, young and old alike.

Method

1. Clean the silkie chicken thoroughly, chop into pieces, and blanch in boiling water for 2–3 minutes to remove any impurities. Drain and set aside.
2. Rinse the prince ginseng, adenophora, and red dates in cold water and soak for 10 minutes. Drain.
3. Place all ingredients — blanched chicken pieces, herbs, red dates, and ginger slices — into a clay pot or heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add approximately 2.4 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a low simmer. Cover and cook for about 2 hours.
5. Season lightly with salt to taste before serving.
6. Drink the broth and eat some of the chicken and herbs.

Nourilo’s Tips

• This soup is mild, pleasant-tasting, and nourishing — suitable for the whole family. Even people with a yin-deficiency fire-rising constitution can drink it comfortably.
• If you or a family member are still in the process of recovering from illness (cough almost gone but not quite), use lean pork instead of chicken. Switch to silkie chicken once recovery is complete.
• Prince ginseng (tai zi shen) is a wonderfully versatile and gentle herb. It can be added to many everyday soups — pairings with fruits like apples, pears, and papaya all work well, and it is safe for children.
• Do not add more prince ginseng than needed just because it is mild — every ingredient should have a purpose. The proportion given here is well-balanced.