Medicinal Chicken Congee

In Chinese Medicine, the change of seasons doesn’t just mean change in weather, it reflects energetic changes within our bodies too. As winter begins to wane and spring slowly emerges, we transition from the depths of dark, cold, still and quiet, Yin energy, and move towards the expanding Yang energies of Spring (with summer being the most vibrant, Yang time of year). ☯️

Since we are in New England, we know we're not in the clear yet, but we can feel the subtle warmth from the earth arising and notice the sun setting later in the evening. With the warmer weather and longer days, movement in our bodies feels more natural, taking action towards achieving goals may feel more inviting, and wanting to spend more time outside in nature may feel more aligned now than it did a few weeks ago. This gradual awakening of Yang energy is subtle at first and will continue to grow as we move from winter to spring and then spring to summer. ☀️

The energy of spring is “wind” and that doesn’t just mean the windiness we feel on our face as we walk through the city, it reflects the transitional time we are in where one day might be warm and in the 70s and the next, cold with a rainy/snowy mix like we saw last week. These sudden shifts in temperature and climate affect our bodies making this an important time to protect and nourish ourselves so we don’t catch a cold and get sick. 😷

One way we can support this transition is with the foods we eat. Since it is still cooler out, I wanted to cook something that was warming, nourishing, grounding, and delicious, but lighter than a traditional stew or roast. By adding fresh aromatic herbs to promote gentle movement of Qi, as well as chicken and rice to help create new Qi and Blood, this Medicinal Chicken Congee recipe helps to strengthen digestion (especially when recovering from illness or exhaustion), making it a healthy yet comforting meal. 🥘

Congee, or rice porridge, is a traditional dish found all over Asia, typically eaten for breakfast but can be enjoyed any time of day. There are many variations on how to make congee, but below is one of my favorite ways, along with some of the nutritional benefits from a Chinese Medicine perspective on food energetics. Stay tuned for more spring recipes and tips to support our health as we move with the seasons. 🌷

Jess’ medicinal chicken congee

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Jasmine Rice 🍚

4 chicken drumsticks (or your choice of protein) 🍗

4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth, bone broth, etc)

2-4 cups filtered water 

4-6 slices fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang)

3-4 cloves of garlic (Da Suan), smashed 🧄

3 Jujube Dates (Da Zao)

1 piece Dried Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) 🍊

Small handful of Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)

1-2 tsp Soy Sauce (add to taste)

Garnish with:

1-2 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil 

Fresh Cilantro (Hu Sui Ye)

Scallions (Cong Bai)

Fried Shallots 

1. In a large pot, add rinsed rice, chicken broth, water, chicken/protein, ginger, garlic, dates, and dried tangerine peel and bring to a boil. 

2. Once boiling, reduce to simmer and cover for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally 

3. Remove ginger, garlic, tangerine peel

4. Remove chicken drumsticks, discard bones and skin (or save to make home made bone broth; air fry chicken skin for tasty snack) 

5. Shred chicken and add back into congee, stir

6. During the last 10-15 min, add goji berries and some soy sauce, stir and remove lid to allow congee to thicken (add more water if it is too thick)

7. Ladle serving into a bowl, garnish with cilantro, scallions, fried shallots, toasted sesame oil and enjoy!

From a Chinese Medicine Perspective:

• Rice strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, builds Qi, and provides easy digestible nourishment 

• Chicken and Chicken Broth nourish Qi and Blood, support recovery from fatigue, illness, post-partum or post-menstrual period, and warm and strengthen the Middle Burner

• Fresh Ginger warms digestion, helps the body release lingering cold from the winter, warms the middle to alleviate nausea, supports the immune system (*leave some of the ginger skin on, to help dispel water and mild edema)

• Garlic warms the body, helps transform dampness and stagnation, supports the immune system

• Jujube Dates tonify Spleen Qi, nourish Blood, and harmonizes the other ingredients to support digestion

• Dried Tangerine Peel moves Qi, prevents heaviness from rich foods, and transforms dampness to support digestion 

• Goji Berries nourish Liver Blood and Kidney Yin, and supports vision, fertility, and overall vitality

• Soy Sauce add salty flavor that supports the Kidney Qi 

• Scallions (specifically the white part near the roots) gently release the exterior/release wind, and supports circulation and immune function

• Cilantro lightly moves Liver Qi (similarly to other leafy/bitter/acrid greens which are great to increase as we transition into spring)

• Fried Shallots are aromatic and warming ☕

• Toasted Sesame Oil nourishes Yin and Blood

This congee helps the body:

• Rebuild Qi and Blood after winter 

• Strengthen digestion 

• Gently warm and protect against lingering cold 🥶

• Support the Liver as spring energy begins to rise

• Provide easily digestible nourishment

Enjoy!

Jess

Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

B.S. Exercise & Health Science