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This Hearty Bokchoy Chicken Soup is a warming, flavorful dish, perfect for chilly days. With a rich broth packed with chicken, bok choy, fennel, and mushrooms, this soup is both nourishing and delicious. Easy to make and filled with healthy ingredients, it’s a comforting meal to warm your heart.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1/2 oz dried shiitake or mixed dried mushrooms (about 1/2 cup)
3 cups hot water
1 tbsp peanut or canola oil
2 cups chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
6 slices fresh ginger (about 1/8-inch thick)
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2- to 3-inch cinnamon stick
1 star anise
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 bulb fennel, core removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
8 green onions, white parts cut into 2-inch segments, greens diced separately
1 lb bok choy, preferably baby (white stems sliced, green leaves chopped, separated)
2 cups mung bean sprouts (about 4 oz)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
Lime wedges for serving

Directions

Prepare the Mushrooms: Place dried mushrooms in hot water and let them soak for 30 minutes. After soaking, slice the mushrooms and reserve the soaking liquid.
Make the Soup Base: In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger, and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the mushroom soaking liquid, chicken broth, soy sauce, cinnamon stick, star anise, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer.
Add Chicken: Stir in the chicken pieces and simmer the soup for 20 minutes to let the flavors develop.
Add Vegetables: Add fennel, scallion whites, and sliced mushrooms to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes. Then, add bok choy stems and simmer for another 3 minutes. Finally, stir in the bok choy greens and mung bean sprouts and cook until the greens wilt (about 2 minutes).
Garnish and Serve: Discard the cinnamon stick and star anise. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with scallion greens, fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Serve with lime wedges for extra zest.

Nutrients (per serving)

Calories: 800-900 kcal
Protein: 85-95g
Fat: 40-45g
Carbohydrates: 30-35g

This hearty, comforting soup is perfect for cozy meals with family and friends!

The Heart of the Soup: A Flavorful Broth

The secret to this soup’s depth of flavor lies in its rich broth. The combination of low-sodium chicken broth, soy sauce, and the soaked mushroom liquid creates a savory base that enhances the overall taste of the soup. Adding cinnamon stick and star anise introduces subtle spice notes, while the ground black pepper and fresh ginger bring heat and warmth to the mix. These ingredients come together to create a broth that is comforting and aromatic, forming the perfect foundation for the rest of the dish.

Dried shiitake mushrooms are soaked to release their umami essence into the broth, providing a rich, earthy flavor. Shiitake mushrooms are known for their hearty, meaty texture, making them a great addition to soups where you want both flavor and substance. The soaking liquid, which contains a concentrated mushroom essence, infuses the broth with an intense depth that makes each sip of this soup a warming experience.

The Chicken: A Source of Protein and Comfort

Chicken thighs, when used in this soup, offer both rich flavor and a tender, juicy texture. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are perfect for soups because they remain moist and flavorful during the simmering process. By cutting the chicken into 1-inch pieces, you ensure that it cooks evenly and is easy to enjoy in every spoonful. Chicken is also a fantastic source of lean protein, making this soup a filling and nutritious choice for any meal.

The chicken pieces are added to the broth after the base flavors have been developed, allowing the meat to absorb the richness of the broth. As the chicken simmers, it becomes tender and flavorful, perfectly complementing the other ingredients in the soup. The result is a hearty, protein-packed dish that’s both satisfying and nourishing.

The Vegetables: Freshness and Nutrition

The vegetables in this soup are essential not only for adding flavor but also for boosting its nutritional content. Bok choy, with its mild, slightly sweet flavor, is the star vegetable of the dish. Baby bok choy is preferred for its tender leaves and crunchy stems, which add a fresh, crisp texture to the soup. The stems are added earlier in the cooking process to give them time to soften, while the greens are added toward the end to wilt perfectly into the soup.

Another vegetable that contributes both flavor and texture is fennel. Fennel, with its mild aniseed flavor, adds a subtle sweetness and a crunchy bite to the soup. It pairs beautifully with the other ingredients and complements the earthy mushrooms and savory chicken. The fennel also provides a light, refreshing contrast to the richness of the broth.

The green onions and mung bean sprouts add an extra layer of freshness and crunch to the soup, making every bite more exciting. The green onion whites are simmered in the broth, releasing their oniony flavor, while the greens are used as a garnish, adding a pop of color and brightness to the finished dish. Mung bean sprouts, when added just before serving, provide a refreshing crispness that balances the other textures in the soup.

The Aromatic Touch: Ginger and Garlic

The combination of garlic and ginger in this soup is what truly elevates its flavor. Garlic, sliced thinly, is sautéed with fresh ginger in oil, releasing their pungent aromas and infusing the broth with their distinct flavors. Ginger brings a zesty warmth that enhances the overall depth of the soup, while garlic adds a savory richness that complements the other ingredients perfectly.

Both garlic and ginger are known for their health benefits as well. Garlic has been used for centuries for its immune-boosting properties, while ginger is known for aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. Together, they form the aromatic backbone of the soup, making each spoonful both comforting and beneficial for your health.

Adding Layers of Flavor: Spices and Seasonings

In addition to the fresh ingredients, the cinnamon stick and star anise contribute aromatic warmth and depth to the soup. These two spices are commonly used in Asian cuisine, and their presence in this dish adds an exotic flair. The cinnamon stick offers a subtle sweetness, while the star anise provides a unique, licorice-like flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory elements of the soup.

The use of low-sodium soy sauce ensures the soup has just the right amount of saltiness without overwhelming the flavors. This allows the natural tastes of the chicken, vegetables, and mushrooms to shine through. Additionally, the toasted sesame oil added at the end of cooking imparts a rich, nutty aroma that rounds out the dish and ties all the flavors together.

Nutritional Value of the Soup

One of the most appealing aspects of this Hearty Bokchoy Chicken Soup is its nutritional profile. With approximately 800-900 calories per serving, the soup is a well-balanced meal that provides a good mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. The chicken offers a substantial amount of protein, supporting muscle repair and overall health. The vegetables, especially the bok choy, fennel, and mung bean sprouts, are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, promoting digestion and overall wellness.

While the soup contains 40-45g of fat per serving, the majority of the fat comes from healthy sources such as peanut oil, sesame oil, and the natural fat in the chicken thighs. These fats help to keep you full and satisfied while contributing to heart health. Additionally, the low-sodium soy sauce and low-sodium chicken broth help keep the sodium content under control, making this soup a healthier option for those watching their salt intake.

Serving the Soup: A Meal for Any Occasion

The beauty of this soup lies in its versatility. It can be served as a main course for a cozy dinner with family or friends, or as a comforting dish to enjoy on a cold day. The fresh lime wedges on the side add a burst of acidity, cutting through the richness of the broth and enhancing the overall flavor of the soup.

For a more filling meal, serve the soup with some steamed rice or crusty bread on the side to soak up the flavorful broth. If you’re looking to keep it light, the soup is hearty enough to stand alone as a satisfying meal.

Conclusion: A Nourishing and Comforting Meal

In conclusion, Hearty Bokchoy Chicken Soup is the perfect dish for anyone craving a warm, comforting, and flavorful meal. Packed with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and an aromatic broth, it’s both satisfying and nourishing. Whether you’re looking to unwind on a chilly evening or serve a comforting dish to friends and family, this soup fits the bill. Its balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors, combined with its nutritional benefits, makes it a standout recipe to keep in your meal rotation. This is more than just a soup – it’s a bowl of warmth and comfort that will nourish both your body and your soul.

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