No-Water Chicken Soup with Dipping Sauce
No-Water Chicken Soup with Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
For the No-Water Chicken Soup
- 2 whole chickens, small, about 2 pounds each
- 2 apples, cubed
- 2 red onions, sliced
- 1 head napa cabbage, leaves separated
- 1/2 cup red dates, jujubes
- 1 inch ginger, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
For the Dipping Sauce
- 1/4 cup spring onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 red chili, thinly sliced, optional
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pot: Use a large, heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid, such as a Dutch oven or cast iron pot. A pressure cooker can also be used for faster cooking.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Layer the ingredients for the soup: First, place the cubed apples evenly at the bottom of the pot. Next, add the sliced red onions on top of the apples.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Carefully place the whole chickens into the pot, nestling them among the apples and onions. Arrange the napa cabbage leaves around and over the chickens, ensuring they are well distributed.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Scatter the red dates and sliced ginger over all the ingredients in the pot. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the contents.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Simmer the soup: Cover the pot tightly with its lid. Place the pot over medium-low heat. Once the pot is hot and you hear gentle simmering, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Do not lift the lid during this time, as the ingredients will release their own juices to create the broth.
⏱️ 60 min
- 6
While the soup is simmering, prepare the dipping sauce: In a small, heat-proof bowl, combine the chopped spring onions and minced ginger.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Heat the neutral oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until it just begins to smoke. Carefully pour the hot oil over the spring onions and ginger in the bowl. It will sizzle, releasing their aromas.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Add the soy sauce to the bowl and stir all the ingredients together to combine them well. If desired, add the sliced red chili for a spicier kick.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Once the soup has finished simmering, carefully remove the lid. The chicken will be very tender, and a rich, flavorful broth will have formed. Serve the No-Water Chicken Soup warm, with pieces of chicken and vegetables. Dip the chicken into the prepared special sauce before eating.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
No-Water Chicken Soup with Dipping Sauce
For the No-Water Chicken Soup
- 2 whole chickens, small, about 2 pounds each
- 2 apples, cubed
- 2 red onions, sliced
- 1 head napa cabbage, leaves separated
- 1/2 cup red dates, jujubes
- 1 inch ginger, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
For the Dipping Sauce
- 1/4 cup spring onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 red chili, thinly sliced, optional
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pot: Use a large, heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid, such as a Dutch oven or cast iron pot. A pressure cooker can also be used for faster cooking.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Layer the ingredients for the soup: First, place the cubed apples evenly at the bottom of the pot. Next, add the sliced red onions on top of the apples.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Carefully place the whole chickens into the pot, nestling them among the apples and onions. Arrange the napa cabbage leaves around and over the chickens, ensuring they are well distributed.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Scatter the red dates and sliced ginger over all the ingredients in the pot. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the contents.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Simmer the soup: Cover the pot tightly with its lid. Place the pot over medium-low heat. Once the pot is hot and you hear gentle simmering, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Do not lift the lid during this time, as the ingredients will release their own juices to create the broth.
⏱️ 60 min - 6
While the soup is simmering, prepare the dipping sauce: In a small, heat-proof bowl, combine the chopped spring onions and minced ginger.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Heat the neutral oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until it just begins to smoke. Carefully pour the hot oil over the spring onions and ginger in the bowl. It will sizzle, releasing their aromas.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Add the soy sauce to the bowl and stir all the ingredients together to combine them well. If desired, add the sliced red chili for a spicier kick.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Once the soup has finished simmering, carefully remove the lid. The chicken will be very tender, and a rich, flavorful broth will have formed. Serve the No-Water Chicken Soup warm, with pieces of chicken and vegetables. Dip the chicken into the prepared special sauce before eating.
⏱️ 5 min