Description
A cozy, aromatic soup layered with ginger, garlic, soy, and warm spices. This hearty bok choy chicken soup is nourishing, flavorful, and perfect for cool evenings.
Ingredients
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 oz dried shiitake mushrooms
3 garlic cloves, sliced
3 cups hot water
1 tbsp peanut or neutral oil
6 slices fresh ginger (1/8 inch thick)
1 star anise
2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
8 green onions, white parts (cut into 2-inch pieces)
2 cups diced onion
1 fennel bulb, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 lb bok choy, white stems (sliced lengthwise)
2 cups mung bean sprouts
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 lb bok choy, green leaves (chopped)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
8 green onions, green parts (diced)
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
Lime wedges
Instructions
1. Soak dried mushrooms in hot water for 30 minutes, then slice and reserve soaking liquid.
2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, add onion, garlic, and ginger, and sauté for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in mushroom soaking liquid, chicken broth, soy sauce, cinnamon stick, star anise, and pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and add chicken. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Add fennel, white scallion parts, and mushrooms; cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add bok choy stems, simmer for 3 minutes, then stir in bok choy greens and bean sprouts. Cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
6. Remove cinnamon stick and star anise.
7. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, sesame oil, diced green onions, and lime wedges.
Notes
You can replace mushrooms with 1 cup fresh sliced button or oyster mushrooms.
For a vegetarian version, swap chicken with 1 lb extra-firm tofu and reduce cooking time.
Bok choy can be substituted with Napa cabbage or Swiss chard—separate stems and leaves before cooking.
- Prep Time: 30–60 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–40 minutes
- Category: Soup Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired comfort food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 2 cups)
- Calories: 800–900 (total recipe)
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 90 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg