Silkie Chicken, Dried Conch, Chinese Yam, and Wolfberry Soup

Why people make this soup

During pregnancy, the body’s demand for nourishment rises substantially — and in traditional Chinese food therapy, the guidance is to avoid hot, warming tonics and instead focus on foods that are cool-moistening and yin-nourishing. Rich warming herbs like ginseng and velvet antler are left for the postnatal period; pregnancy calls for gentler nourishment. Nourilo’s Silkie Chicken and Dried Conch Soup is built on exactly that principle. Silkie chicken (also called black-bone chicken) is a lean, deeply nourishing bird prized for centuries in Chinese food culture for its ability to supplement qi and blood without excessive heating. Dried conch adds mineral richness and a traditional association with yin nourishment. Together with fresh Chinese yam and wolfberries, this soup supports the energy, eye health, and restful sleep that can become strained during pregnancy.

It is a beautiful soup — golden-coloured, fragrant, and genuinely delicious — that the whole family can enjoy, not just the expectant mother.

Method

1. Rinse the dried conch briefly. Chop the silkie chicken into pieces. Blanch both the chicken and conch together in boiling water for 2–3 minutes to remove impurities; rinse and set aside.
2. Peel the fresh Chinese yam and slice into rounds or chunks. Rinse the wolfberries and soak briefly. Pit the red dates.
3. Combine all ingredients in a large pot with 2.4 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2 hours until the broth is rich, golden, and fragrant, and has reduced to approximately 1.2 L.
5. Season lightly with salt if desired. Serve warm.

Nourilo’s Tips

The soup is beautiful as-is and suitable for all the family. For those who prefer to use regular chicken instead of silkie chicken, it works well — use the same quantity. If using dried Chinese yam instead of fresh, use about 38 g (38 g) of the dried slices. Young children’s servings should have the chicken skin removed, as chicken skin contains hormones and is too fatty for small children.

When selecting dried conch, look for pieces that are dry, firm, and carry a pleasant savoury aroma. American dried conch is generally yellow-fleshed; yellow-red flesh is also good. Avoid any that rattle loosely or smell off. Black beans can be added to this soup without issue for those who want extra kidney-nourishing support.

For pregnant women who want a gentle detoxifying preparation for the final months: try white lotus stamen (bai lian xu) simmered with egg and rock sugar — a traditional pre-birth tonic in Chinese food culture. Five qian of lotus stamen, steeped in 1.2 L of water for 20 minutes, then sweetened and combined with one beaten egg, makes a gentle weekly treat from months 6–8.