Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)
A nourishing and restorative Korean ginseng chicken soup, perfect for boosting energy and fighting off summer heat.
3h 40m2Servings
Nutrition
301kcal
13gProtein
40gCarbs
10gFat
High Protein
Ingredients
SAMGYETANG
Cornish Game Hen
2 whole
Sweet Rice
½ cup
Korean Ginseng
2 pieces
Jujube
2 pieces
Garlic Cloves
16 cloves
Water
8 cups
Salt
to taste
Black Pepper
to taste
Green Onion
2 pieces
DIPPING SAUCE
Soy Sauce
3 tbsp
Rice Vinegar
2 tbsp
Honey
1 tbsp
Sesame Seeds
1 tbsp
Ground Black Pepper
¼ tsp
Sesame Oil
1 tbsp
Chopped Onion
2 tbsp
Chopped Jalapeno
1 tbsp
Instructions
1Prepare the Rice and Chickens
2h 30m
2h 30mWash and Soak Rice
Rinse the sweet rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in cold water for at least 2 hours.
Prepare the Chickens
Rinse the Cornish game hens under cold running water. Remove any giblets from the cavity. You can save the giblets for other dishes or to make stock. Massage the chickens with salt and rinse them thoroughly.
Remove Excess Fat
Using kitchen shears, trim away any excess fat from around the neck and cavity of the chickens. This helps to keep the broth clear.
2Stuff the Chickens
10m
10mStuff with Rice and Aromatics
Drain the soaked rice. Stuff the cavity of each chicken with a portion of the rice, garlic cloves, ginseng, and jujubes. You can use toothpicks or kitchen twine to secure the opening if needed.
Place Chickens in Pot
Place the stuffed chickens into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add 8 cups of water, ensuring the chickens are mostly submerged.
3Cook the Samgyetang
1h 10m
1h 10mBoil and Simmer
Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Check for Doneness
The chicken is done when a skewer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh comes out clear, with no pink juices.
4Prepare the Dipping Sauce
5m
5mCombine Sauce Ingredients
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame seeds, ground black pepper, and sesame oil. Stir well.
Add Onion and Jalapeno
Add the finely chopped onion and jalapeno to the dipping sauce. Stir to combine.
5Serve
5m
5mServe the Samgyetang
Carefully transfer each chicken to an individual serving bowl. Ladle the hot broth over the chicken and rice. Garnish with chopped green onions.
Serve with Dipping Sauce
Serve the Samgyetang immediately with the prepared dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy!
Tips
For a clearer broth, ensure you remove excess fat from the chickens before cooking.
The rice inside the chicken will absorb the flavors of the ginseng and jujubes, becoming very tender and delicious.
Samgyetang is traditionally eaten during the hottest days of summer in Korea to replenish energy.
If you don't have Cornish game hens, you can use a small whole chicken, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.