Hearty Rice Porridge with Ginger-Flavored Chicken
Hear me out, y'all! Let's talk about this scrumptious, comforting dish that goes by the name of Jook or Ginger Chicken Congee. I've been swirling it down on Sundays with my fam' due to my grandma's magic in the kitchen.
Now, she whips up different variations—chicken, pork, beef, or even seafood—but don't be shy to throw in extra flavors. Gourmet toppers such as soy sauce, fish sauce, fried shallots, or roasted salted peanuts can take this dish to the next level!
Here's a tasty recipe for you:
Serves 6Cooking Difficulty: EasyPrep Time: About 25 minutes (Plus 1 hour cooking time)
Here's what you'll need:- 6 cups water- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth- 1.5 pounds bone-in chicken legs or thighs, skin removed and excess fat trimmed- 1 cup long-grain white rice- Fresh ginger (1-inch piece, skin on, sliced into 4 pieces)- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, with extra for seasoning- A pinch of freshly ground white pepper, with more for taste- Cilantro (coarsely chopped) for garnish- Scallions (thinly sliced) for garnish
Now, here's how you whip it up:1. Throw all ingredients into a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven and bring to a roaring boil over medium-high heat.2. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer away for about an hour, stirring occasionally until the rice has disintegrated, and the mixture is dreamy and creamy.3. Shut off the heat, remove the chicken from the pot, letting it cool before shredding it into bite-sized pieces and discarding the bones and cartilage.4. Add the shredded chicken back into the congee, stir it up, taste-test, and add more salt and pepper if needed.5. Serve it up in bowls, and garnish with cilantro and scallions!
Traditional garnishes for Jook or Ginger Chicken Congee might include:- White pepper for a warm, mild flavor- Green onions or scallions for freshness and crunch- Julienned ginger for warmth and a spicy aroma- Cilantro for a herbal flavor- Asian pickles or radish for sourness and crunch- Century eggs or Thousand-Year-Old Eggs (in some congee recipes)- Yu Tao (Fried Dough) or "youtiao" for crispy appeal- Sesame seeds for a nutty flavor and texture- Grated ginger for further flavor enhancement
So, get your congee on, my friends! Enjoy this divinely simple classic.
- This Jook or Ginger Chicken Congee recipe serves 6 and has an easy cooking difficulty, taking around 25 minutes for preparation and an hour for cooking.
- To make the congee, gather essential ingredients such as 6 cups water, 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1.5 pounds of boneless chicken legs or thighs, 1 cup of long-grain white rice, ginger, salt, white pepper, cilantro, and scallions.
- Follow the instructions to combine all ingredients in a large saucepan, bring to a boil, simmer for an hour, and shred the cooled chicken back into the pot before serving in bowls garnished with cilantro and scallions.
- For traditional garnishes, consider adding white pepper, green onions, julienned ginger, cilantro, Asian pickles or radish, century eggs, fried dough, sesame seeds, or more grated ginger for a great-tasting congee experience.
