Black-Boned Chicken Soup with Red Dates, Longan and Goji Berries

Main Ingredients

• Black-boned chicken (silkie chicken) half (approx. 500-600g)
• Red dates 6 pcs
• Goji berries 15g
• Dried longan flesh 20g
• Fresh ginger a few slices
• Salt to taste
• Water approx. 2L

Steps

1. Clean the black-boned chicken, remove innards and excess fat, and cut into large pieces. Pit the red dates. Soak goji berries in warm water, rinse and drain. Rinse the dried longan flesh. Slice the ginger.

   

2. Place the chicken pieces in a pot with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes, skimming off any foam. Remove and rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove impurities, then drain. (This step removes gamey flavors and ensures a clear soup.)

   

3. Place the blanched chicken, red dates, longan flesh, and ginger slices into a clay pot. Add enough water. Bring to a boil over high heat.

   

4. Once boiling, add the goji berries. When it returns to a boil, reduce to low heat and simmer for about 2 hours. (Goji berries can be added 30 minutes before the end of cooking for better flavor.)

   

5. Add salt to taste just before serving. Stir well and serve hot.

   

TCM Notes

Nourishing blood & calming the mind (core benefit): Black-boned chicken is rich in protein, vitamins, amino acids, and iron – it tonifies deficiency and nourishes blood essence. Red dates tonify qi and nourish blood; longan tonifies qi, nourishes blood, and calms the mind; goji berries nourish the liver and kidneys. Together, they create a powerful blood-nourishing and mind-calming effect. Nourishing the liver and kidneys & improving vision: Black-boned chicken acts on the liver and kidney meridians, nourishing yin and blood; goji berries nourish the liver and kidneys and improve vision; longan tonifies the heart and spleen. Together, they help relieve sore lower back, weak knees, and dizziness caused by liver-kidney deficiency. High-quality protein and trace minerals: Black-boned chicken contains higher levels of protein, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin E, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and sodium than regular chicken, with lower cholesterol and fat content. Red dates are rich in iron and vitamin C; goji berries provide polysaccharides and carotenoids. Regulating women's qi and blood: Beneficial for women with qi-blood deficiency manifesting as irregular menstruation, scanty pale flow, or delayed periods.

Suitable for：Those with qi-blood deficiency – pale complexion, dizziness, dry skin Those with sedentary desk jobs, high stress, or daytime fatigue Those suffering from insomnia, excessive dreaming, or poor sleep quality Women with scanty, pale menstruation or delayed periods Those recovering from illness or postpartum, or with general weakness General population for daily wellness

Not suitable for：Those with colds or fevers (Avoid!): Consuming nourishing soups during external febrile illness may trap pathogens and worsen the condition. Those with internal heat or excess fire (Use with caution or avoid!): Red dates and longan are both warming in nature and may aggravate heat symptoms. Those with damp-heat constitution or excessive phlegm-dampness (Use with caution): Symptoms include thick greasy tongue coating, bitter sticky mouth, and sticky stools – this warming, cloying soup may worsen damp-heat stagnation. Those with hyperuricemia or gout (Use with caution): Black-boned chicken, red dates, goji berries, and longan all contain moderate purines – avoid to prevent elevated uric acid levels. Those with active hepatitis or infectious diseases (Avoid!): Tonics should be avoided during active phases. Those with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cholecystitis, or gallstones (Use with caution): Skim off surface oil and limit salt when consuming. Those with kidney dysfunction (Under medical supervision): The high protein content may strain the kidneys.