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A bowl of herbal chicken soup, a healing postpartum soup recipe with red dates, ginger, goji berries, and scallion on the side.

Herbal Chicken Soup

A comforting foundation of the traditional postpartum diet, this soup utilizes slow-simmered aromatics and proteins to replenish the body’s energy stores. It is a gentle, hydration-focused meal crafted to support both lactation and digestive recovery.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 60
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken 3-5 pounds, organic or pasture-raised
  • 3-7 dried red dates also known as jujube
  • 1 piece astragalus root about 10 grams (also known as huang qi)
  • 10-12 goji berries optional
  • 1 slice fresh ginger
  • 1 sprig fresh scallion
  • water (enough to cover chicken by 1 inch)
  • sea salt to taste

Equipment

  • 1 large stock pot 6-8 quarts

Method
 

  1. Clean the chicken: Remove internal fat, the tail, and loose skin. Rinse the cavity thoroughly with cold water until clear. Remove the raw breast meat to save for another meal.
  2. Prep the pot: Remove the wings and thighs to allow the chicken to sit flat at the bottom of a large stockpot. Arrange the chicken in the pot.
  3. Add the aromatics: Place the red dates, astragalus, ginger, and scallion inside the chicken cavity.
  4. Add water: Cover the chicken with cold water, ensuring the water level is about 1 inch above the meat.
  5. Boil and skim: Bring to a boil over high heat. Carefully skim off and discard the foam that rises to the surface.
  6. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low. Maintain a gentle simmer (around 190°F) for 3 hours, or until the meat falls off the bone
  7. Add Goji Berries (Optional): If using, drop the goji berries into the pot during the last 1 minute of cooking.
  8. Strain and serve: Strain the broth, discard the bones and herbs, and salt the broth to taste in individual bowls.

Notes

Nutrition Note: Unlike skimmed broths, leaving the dark meat and skin in the pot yields a slightly higher calorie, highly satiating soup. A serving with the meat included is approximately 300 kcal, packed with tissue-repairing protein and healthy fats.