Watercress Chicken Soup: A Nourishing Chinese Delight 🥣

Chicken and Watercress Soup 🍲

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3

Description:

Delve into the wholesome goodness of this traditional Chinese soup that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also promises to soothe your body, believed to alleviate heatiness according to Chinese culinary wisdom. Bursting with flavors of tender chicken, earthy shiitake mushrooms, and vibrant watercress, this soup is a delightful concoction that is both nutritious and easy to prepare. Embrace the essence of Asian cuisine with this nourishing bowl of Chicken and Watercress Soup!

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast
• 6 shiitake mushrooms
• 6 cups watercress
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 1 tablespoon rice wine
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• (Optional) 1 teaspoon sesame oil (if not using for heatiness purposes)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:

   • In a bowl, marinate the chicken breast with salt, cornflour, rice wine, pepper, and sesame oil (if desired). Allow the flavors to meld for a few minutes.

2. Prepare the Soup Base:

   • In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a gentle boil over medium heat.

3. Add Mushrooms:

   • Once the stock is boiling, add the shiitake mushrooms and let them simmer for approximately 2 minutes, allowing their rich flavors to infuse into the broth.

4. Incorporate Chicken:

   • Add the marinated chicken breast slices into the simmering broth, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Stir gently to separate the chicken slices and promote even cooking.

5. Introduce Watercress:

   • As the soup begins to boil once more, gently add the watercress into the pot, stirring delicately to incorporate it into the broth.

6. Simmer:

   • Allow the soup to simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together while ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and the watercress is tender yet vibrant.

7. Serve:

   • Once the soup is ready, remove it from the heat and ladle it into individual soup bowls. Garnish with fresh watercress leaves or a sprinkle of chopped green onions for an extra burst of flavor if desired.

8. Enjoy:

   • Serve hot and savor the nourishing flavors of this comforting Chicken and Watercress Soup. Enjoy it as a light and satisfying meal on its own or pair it with steamed rice or crusty bread for a more substantial dining experience.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 278.8
• Fat: 11.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.9g
• Cholesterol: 45.3mg
• Sodium: 914.1mg
• Carbohydrates: 20.2g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 8.5g
• Protein: 23.1g

Recipe Notes:

• To fully embrace the traditional Chinese belief in the cooling properties of watercress, omit the sesame oil if you’re preparing this soup for its heatiness-alleviating benefits.
• Customize the soup according to your preferences by adjusting the seasoning levels or adding additional vegetables such as bok choy or carrots for extra nutrition and flavor.
• This soup is not only delicious but also low in cholesterol, making it a healthy choice for those watching their dietary intake.
• Feel free to double or triple the recipe to serve a larger group or to have leftovers for convenient meals throughout the week. Simply adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly and enjoy the flavors of this Chicken and Watercress Soup whenever the craving strikes!