Ganoderma lucidum chicken soup

How to Make Nourishing Chicken Soup with Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi mushroom chicken soup is a beloved health tonic, prized for its immune-boosting and calming properties. Here’s a simple yet comprehensive guide to crafting this nourishing dish.

Ingredients: 1 whole chicken (about 1.2 kg), 3-5 dried reishi mushrooms (soaked in warm water for 30 minutes), 10 dried goji berries, 3-5 slices of fresh ginger, 2-3 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, salt to taste, and 4-5 cups of water. Optional additions: astragalus root or Chinese yam for extra wellness benefits.

Steps:

1. Prep the chicken: Rinse the chicken thoroughly, pat it dry, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes to remove impurities, then drain and rinse.

2. Soak reishi mushrooms: Soften dried reishi mushrooms in warm water until pliable. Trim tough stems, slice caps, and reserve the soaking liquid (strained).

3. Cook the soup: In a pot, combine chicken, reishi mushrooms, goji berries, ginger, garlic, and cooking wine. Add 4 cups of water (or mushroom soaking liquid for extra flavor). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 1.5–2 hours, or until the chicken is tender.

4. Season and serve: Add salt to taste. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Tips: For a richer broth, simmer slowly on low heat. Reishi mushrooms have a bitter taste; removing the stems reduces bitterness. This soup pairs perfectly with steamed rice or a light salad. Enjoy this warming, healthful dish year-round!