Get ready to be nourished on many levels with Samgyetang, a flavorful and aromatic Korean soup that features delicate chicken, fragrant ginseng, and a combination of healing herbs. For those hot summer days, this delicious dish is a great choice for reviving the body and boosting immunity thanks to its nourishing characteristics and comforting flavours.
Filling a whole young chicken with sticky rice, garlic, jujubes (red dates), and ginseng is the first step in making samgyetang. Medicinal herbs like dried ginseng root, jujube berries, Korean angelica root (dang gui), and astragalus root (hwanggi) provide a delicate sweetness and earthy flavour to the broth as they boil with the chicken in a pot of water.
While the chicken cooks in the aromatic broth, the glutinous rice soaks up the flavorful liquid, and the chicken becomes tender and flavorful. The result is a satisfyingly hearty soup. Incorporating ginseng into the recipe gives it a unique herbal flavour and boosts energy levels thanks to its stimulating effects.
Indulge in the aroma of simmering chicken, fragrant broth, and savoury rice stuffing as you savour each steaming bowl of hot soup. Toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions are common garnishes for this soup.
In its traditional form, samgyetang is a filling main dish that can stand on its own with some kimchi and steaming rice. People often reach for it in the summer, when the weather is hot and muggy, because of the belief that it gives them more energy and stamina.
Samgyetang Recipe – Ginseng Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 1 whole young chicken Cornish hen, about 1-1.5 kg
- 1/2 cup glutinous rice sweet rice, soaked for 1 hour and drained
- 4-6 fresh or dried ginseng roots
- 8-10 cloves garlic peeled
- 4-6 dried jujubes Korean dates
- 4-6 chestnuts peeled (optional)
- 2 green onions cut into large pieces
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- Water enough to fully submerge the chicken, about 8 cups
- Fresh chopped green onions for garnish optional
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Clean the whole chicken thoroughly under running water. Remove any remaining feathers and giblets. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the soaked glutinous rice, 2-3 ginseng roots, 4-5 cloves of garlic, 2-3 jujubes, and chestnuts if using.
Step 2: Prepare the Soup
- Place the stuffed chicken in a large pot.
- Add enough water to the pot to fully submerge the chicken (about 8 cups).
- Add the remaining ginseng roots, garlic cloves, jujubes, and green onions to the pot.
Step 3: Cook the Soup
- Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently.
- Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during the first 10-15 minutes of boiling.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup simmer for about 1.5 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
Step 4: Season and Serve
- Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot and place it in a large serving bowl or individual bowls.
- Season the soup with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Ladle the hot broth over the chicken, ensuring each bowl gets a generous amount of ginseng, garlic, and jujubes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions if desired.
Step 5: Enjoy
- Serve the Samgyetang hot, accompanied by a bowl of steamed rice and various Korean side dishes (banchan).
- Enjoy the nourishing and aromatic flavors of this traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup.
Tips and Information
Tips and Information
- Ginseng: Fresh ginseng is preferred for its potent flavor and health benefits. If fresh ginseng is unavailable, dried ginseng can be used as a substitute.
- Chicken: A young chicken or Cornish hen is ideal for this recipe as it cooks faster and remains tender. Ensure the chicken is thoroughly cleaned before stuffing.
- Stuffing: The glutinous rice and other ingredients used for stuffing the chicken add flavor and texture to the soup. Ensure the chicken cavity is tightly stuffed to prevent the ingredients from falling out during cooking.
- Cooking Time: Simmer the soup gently for the full cooking time to allow the flavors to develop and the chicken to become tender.
- Serving: Traditionally, Samgyetang is served as a whole chicken in the soup. Each diner can pull off pieces of the chicken and enjoy it with the broth, rice, and side dishes.
Thanks to its hearty soup, succulent chicken, and fragrant herbs, Samgyetang is a safe bet whether you’re in the mood for a soul-soothing dish or just want to try some traditional Korean cuisine. Indulge in the soothing flavours of this cherished Korean classic as you cook a pot of this revitalising soup.