If you grew up in a Chinese household, chances are you know ABC Soup—the comforting, nourishing soup often simmered by mums and grandmas. Simple, affordable, and packed with natural sweetness from vegetables, this soup is a go-to for family dinners and especially popular during cooler or rainy days.
🥣 What Is Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup?
This is a gentle, nourishing soup often cooked at home for family dinners. It’s not bitter—just aromatic, warm, and comforting after a long day.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
- 1 whole chicken or 4–5 chicken pieces
- 1 small pack Chinese herbal soup mix (e.g., red dates, goji berries, dang shen)
- 1.5–2 litres water
- Salt to taste
👩🍳 How to Cook ABC Soup
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Blanch the chicken in boiling water for a few minutes. Rinse and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Herbal Soup Base
Add water, chicken, and the herbal soup mix into a soup pot.
Step 3: Simmer Until Aromatic
Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until the soup is fragrant and nourishing.
Step 4: Season & Serve
Add salt to taste and serve hot.
🌿 Tips & Variations
- A clay pot or thick soup pot is ideal for slow, even heating.
- Great for showcasing durable cookware made for long simmering.
💛 Why Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup Is So Popular
- Warming and comforting for the body
- Seen as nutritious and wholesome
- Simple to prepare in one pot
- Perfect for family dinners and recovery meals
