Hearty and Comforting Chicken Porridge (Dakjuk)
Perfect Winter Nourishment: An Easy and Nutritious Chicken Porridge Recipe
When appetites wane during the changing seasons or due to stomach ailments, this nutritious chicken porridge (Dakjuk) is a wonderful, comforting meal for the whole family. With a simple preparation, it offers warmth and hearty goodness, making it an ideal restorative dish.
Main Ingredients- 1 whole chicken (skin removed)
- 1 pack of Samgyetang herbal ingredients
- 10 jujubes (red dates)
- 1 large green onion (scallion)
- 1/3 carrot
- 1/2 onion
- 10 stalks of chives
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the chicken. If you can request to have the skin removed when purchasing the chicken, your porridge will be even more delicate and free from excess oil.
Step 2
Wash the rice thoroughly and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. Using glutinous rice (sweet rice) will give you a wonderfully sticky and smooth texture. You can use all glutinous rice or a 50/50 mix with regular rice.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the chicken broth. In a pot, combine 1 whole chicken, 1 pack of Samgyetang herbs, about 20 jujubes, 1 large green onion, around 5 cloves of garlic, and 1/4 pear for a milder flavor. Simmer everything until the chicken is well-cooked. The rich broth extracted from the herbs and chicken bones will significantly enhance the nutritional value and flavor of your Dakjuk.
Step 4
While the chicken is simmering, prepare the vegetables for the porridge. It’s helpful to separate the vegetables you’ll be dicing for the porridge from those you’ll use as a garnish.
Step 5
Finely dice 1/3 carrot and 1/2 onion. A food processor or chopper makes this quick and easy. Chop about 10 stalks of chives finely. The chives will be added at the end to preserve their fresh aroma.
Step 6
Once the chicken is tender and thoroughly cooked, remove it from the broth. Let it cool slightly, then carefully separate the meat from the bones. Shred or dice the chicken meat.
Step 7
Return the chicken bones to the pot with the broth. Continue to simmer, adding water as needed to prevent the broth from reducing too much, allowing the flavors to deepen. This step is key to achieving a rich, savory broth.
Step 8
It’s time to cook the porridge. In a clean pot, combine the rich chicken broth, the soaked rice, and the diced carrot and onion. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom. Ensure there’s plenty of liquid for the rice to absorb and soften completely.
Step 9
When the glutinous rice is about halfway cooked, stir in about a ladleful of cooked mixed grains (if using). This adds extra texture and nutrients. (Omit if using only regular white rice).
Step 10
As the porridge starts to thicken, add about half of the reserved shredded chicken meat and mix well. The chicken will become incredibly tender within the porridge, adding delightful flavor.
Step 11
Save the remaining shredded chicken to use as a topping later, or for serving with a simple chicken broth for children. The generous chicken topping makes the Dakjuk even more appealing.
Step 12
When the porridge is almost done, add the chopped chives and give it a quick stir to incorporate. The fresh, green flavor of the chives will add a bright note to the rich porridge.
Step 13
Once the chives have wilted slightly, your delicious chicken porridge is ready! Turn off the heat and let it rest for a few minutes for the flavors to meld.
Step 14
It’s best to season the porridge individually to taste. Serve with salt and pepper on the side so each person can adjust the seasoning to their preference. This ensures everyone enjoys their bowl perfectly.
Step 15
When feeling unwell, a meal made with care and packed with nutrition is truly the best. This Dakjuk recipe is perfect for the whole family to enjoy! Eat well and stay healthy.
