Soup

Chicken and Chinese Yam Soup

Name: Chicken and Chinese Yam Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h 15 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 400g Free-Range Chicken; 350g Chinese Yam; 8g Cordyceps Flower; 3g Salt; 3 slices Ginger; 1 stalk Scallion; 20g Shaoxing Wine; 1.5L Water; To taste White Pepper

A nourishing slow-cooked soup made with free-range chicken, Chinese yam, and cordyceps flowers. The broth is rich, naturally sweet, and comforting, making it ideal for family meals and seasonal wellness.

Total: 2 hours 30 minutes

Chicken and Chinese Yam Soup finished dish

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Quick Recipe Summary

Cuisine: Chinese
Category: Soup
Method: Braising or simmering
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Main Ingredient: Free-Range Chicken

Introduction

This Chicken and Chinese Yam Soup recipe is written for Chinese home cooking, with attention to timing, texture, and the small cues that make the method easier to follow. Read through the ingredient notes and cooking tips before you start so the steps feel familiar once the pan, steamer, or pot is hot.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Uses a steady cooking method that helps the ingredients absorb flavor gradually.
Beginner-friendly enough for cooks who are still building confidence in the kitchen.
Good for learning how seasoning and simmering build flavor over time.
Shows a practical way to cook chicken with clear preparation and cooking cues.
Gives the dish a clear savory flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.

Ingredients

400g Free-Range Chicken
350g Chinese Yam
8g Cordyceps Flower
3g Salt
3 slices Ginger
1 stalk Scallion
20g Shaoxing Wine
1.5L Water
To taste White Pepper

Ingredient Notes

These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust without losing its Chinese home-cooking character.

Free-Range Chicken

Chicken adapts well to quick stir-fries, steaming, soups, and soy-based braises.

Chinese Yam

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Cordyceps Flower

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Salt

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Ginger

Ginger adds clean aroma and helps balance meat, seafood, tofu, and fermented flavors.

stalk Scallion

Scallions add freshness and are useful both as an aromatic base and as a finishing flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1
Prepare the chicken, Chinese yam, cordyceps flowers, ginger, and scallion.
Step 2
Slice the ginger and tie the scallion into a knot. Rinse the cordyceps flowers and set aside.
Step 3
Cut the chicken into pieces. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add 10g Shaoxing wine, and blanch the chicken for 2–3 minutes.
Step 4
Remove the chicken, rinse thoroughly under running water, and drain well.
Step 5
Place the chicken, ginger slices, scallion knot, remaining Shaoxing wine, and water into a slow cooker.
Step 6
Select the chicken soup or slow-cook setting and cook for approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Step 7
Allow the soup to simmer slowly until the chicken becomes tender and the broth develops a rich flavor.
Step 8
About 1 hour before the soup is finished, peel the Chinese yam, cut it into chunks, and soak it in water to prevent discoloration.
Step 9
Add the Chinese yam to the soup and continue simmering for about 40 minutes.
Step 10
About 5 minutes before cooking is complete, prepare the rinsed cordyceps flowers.
Step 11
Add the cordyceps flowers to the soup and simmer for the final 5 minutes.
Step 12
Once cooking is complete, remove the scallion knot and ginger slices if desired.
Step 13
Season with salt and a pinch of white pepper to taste.
Step 14
Serve hot and enjoy this nourishing chicken and Chinese yam soup.

Cooking Tips

Use free-range chicken for the richest flavor and broth.
Wear gloves when peeling Chinese yam to avoid skin irritation.
Add cordyceps flowers near the end of cooking to preserve their texture and aroma.
A splash of vinegar or lemon juice in the soaking water helps prevent the yam from oxidizing.
Season only after the soup is fully cooked to maintain a clear and natural broth.

Serving Suggestions

Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
Pair it with a quick vegetable stir-fry or a simple pork, chicken, or tofu dish.
If noodles or rice are included, it can work as a full meal on its own.

Recipe Card

Ingredients

400g Free-Range Chicken
350g Chinese Yam
8g Cordyceps Flower
3g Salt
3 slices Ginger
1 stalk Scallion
20g Shaoxing Wine
1.5L Water
To taste White Pepper

Method

Prepare the chicken, Chinese yam, cordyceps flowers, ginger, and scallion.
Slice the ginger and tie the scallion into a knot. Rinse the cordyceps flowers and set aside.
Cut the chicken into pieces. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add 10g Shaoxing wine, and blanch the chicken for 2–3 minutes.
Remove the chicken, rinse thoroughly under running water, and drain well.
Place the chicken, ginger slices, scallion knot, remaining Shaoxing wine, and water into a slow cooker.
Select the chicken soup or slow-cook setting and cook for approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Allow the soup to simmer slowly until the chicken becomes tender and the broth develops a rich flavor.
About 1 hour before the soup is finished, peel the Chinese yam, cut it into chunks, and soak it in water to prevent discoloration.
Add the Chinese yam to the soup and continue simmering for about 40 minutes.
About 5 minutes before cooking is complete, prepare the rinsed cordyceps flowers.
Add the cordyceps flowers to the soup and simmer for the final 5 minutes.
Once cooking is complete, remove the scallion knot and ginger slices if desired.
Season with salt and a pinch of white pepper to taste.
Serve hot and enjoy this nourishing chicken and Chinese yam soup.