Soups
Stir-Fried Coix Seed, Small Red Bean, Poria Cocos and Chicken Soup
Stir-fried coix seed, small red bean, Poria cocos and chicken soup is a classic Cantonese medicinal soup that perfectly combines "spleen-strengthening and dampness-relief" with "warming and nourishing." Stir-fried coix seeds strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, and clear heat; small red beans promote diuresis, reduce edema, and detoxify; Poria cocos strengthens the spleen, calms the mind, and promotes diuresis – together they are known as the "golden trio" for dampness relief. The addition of free-range chicken warms the middle and tonifies qi, ensuring that dampness is drained without depleting the body. Stir-frying moderates the cool nature of coix seeds, making the soup more balanced. Slowly simmered, the soup turns clear with a reddish tint – the chicken is tender, the coix seeds are chewy, and the small red beans are creamy. It has a mild, sweet flavor. It is especially suitable for those with heavy internal dampness, body heaviness, fatigue, and poor appetite – a "dampness-relief and qi-tonifying soup" for all seasons.
Main Ingredients
- Free-range chicken (or old hen) half (approx. 600-700g)
- Stir-fried coix seeds 30g
- Small red beans (slender shape, NOT round adzuki beans) 30g
- Poria cocos 15g
- Fresh ginger 3-5 slices
- Dried tangerine peel (Chenpi) 1 small strip
- Red dates (pitted) 2-3 pcs
- Salt to taste
- Water approx. 2-2.5L
Steps
Place raw coix seeds (unwashed) directly into a dry, oil-free pan. Stir-fry over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for about 10-20 minutes, until the seeds turn slightly yellow with curled edges and release a toasted grain aroma. Remove from heat, let cool, and set aside.
Rinse small red beans and soak in water for 1-2 hours or overnight in the fridge. Cut the chicken into pieces and soak in water for 30 minutes to remove blood. Rinse Poria cocos to remove surface dust. Soak Chenpi in warm water until soft, then scrape off the white pith. Slice the ginger and rinse the red dates.
Place the chicken pieces in a pot with cold water, add ginger slices and a little cooking wine. Bring to a boil, skim off foam, and boil for about 3-5 minutes. Remove and rinse with warm water. Drain.
Place the blanched chicken, stir-fried coix seeds, soaked small red beans, Poria cocos, Chenpi, red dates, and ginger slices into a clay pot. Add water (approx. 2-2.5L). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5-2 hours until the chicken is tender and the small red beans are soft.
Add salt to taste 10 minutes before serving. Stir well and serve hot.
TCM Notes
Spleen-strengthening, dampness-draining & edema-reducing (core benefit): Small red beans are rich in saponins with clear diuretic action. Stir-fried coix seeds (now neutral to warm in nature) strengthen the spleen and drain dampness. Poria cocos promotes diuresis and calms the mind. Together, they effectively relieve limb heaviness, poor appetite, sticky stools, and edema caused by spleen deficiency with dampness. Spleen-strengthening, mind-calming & sleep-improving: Poria cocos acts on the heart and spleen meridians, strengthening the spleen and calming the mind. It helps improve poor appetite, indigestion, restlessness, insomnia, and excessive dreaming caused by spleen deficiency with dampness. Warming the middle, tonifying qi & providing high-quality protein: Free-range chicken is rich in high-quality animal protein and heme iron, warming the middle and tonifying essence – preventing nutritional deficiency during long-term dampness-relief diets. Regulating qi & balancing cold nature (the role of Chenpi): Chenpi regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, and dries dampness – it removes gamey flavors and balances the cool nature of the soup. Dietary fiber & trace minerals: Small red beans and coix seeds are rich in dietary fiber, promoting intestinal motility. Poria cocos provides various polysaccharides. Chicken provides iron, zinc, and other trace minerals.
Suitable for：Those with "heavy dampness" constitution – body heaviness, limb soreness, fatigue, thick greasy tongue coating Those with edema, puffy eyelids in the morning, or swollen legs in the afternoon Those with spleen deficiency and dampness excess – poor appetite, sticky loose stools Office workers with sedentary lifestyles and accumulated internal dampness Those needing regular dampness prevention during rainy seasons or humid weather Those with high cholesterol or mild hyperglycemia (adjunctive support)
Not suitable for：Pregnant women (Strictly avoid!): Coix seeds may stimulate uterine smooth muscle contraction – risk of miscarriage. Strictly contraindicated. Those with yin deficiency and fluid depletion (Use with caution or avoid!): Symptoms include dry mouth, dry skin, constipation, and hot palms/feet – the diuretic formula will worsen fluid loss. Those with severe spleen-stomach deficiency-cold and loose stools (Use with caution!): Although stir-fried, coix seeds remain slightly draining, and small red beans promote diuresis – may worsen cold abdominal pain and diarrhea. If consuming, double the ginger and Chenpi. Those with severe constipation (Use with caution!): The diuretic effect may reduce intestinal moisture and worsen constipation. Those with low blood pressure (Use with caution): The diuretic effect may reduce blood volume and further lower blood pressure. Those with frequent urination or nocturia (non-dampness type): The diuretic action will worsen frequency. Those with kidney dysfunction (Under medical supervision): Small red beans are high in potassium – patients needing potassium restriction should limit intake. Those allergic to coix seeds, small red beans, Poria cocos, or chicken (Avoid).
