Chinese Egg Drop Soup is a broth with beaten eggs poured in creating silky strands, enriched with chicken and sweetcorn for added flavour and texture.
Recipe Intro
Chicken and Egg Soup is a versatile, low-calorie dish that’s quick and easy to prepare. For a vegetarian option, you can use a variety of vegetables, while adding prawns or a mix of chicken and prawns offers a different flavour profile. Leftover roasted chicken, including the wings, works well for extra richness. Fresh chicken should be diced for quicker cooking. The soup has roots in ancient Chinese cuisine, with chicken symbolising prosperity and unity, while eggs represent fertility and new beginnings. Regional variations, like the Cantonese version with soft scrambled eggs, or the Sichuan twist with chilli oil and Sichuan peppercorns, highlight the diversity of this dish across China.
Essential Ingredients
- chicken – Breast or thigh
- egg
- ginger – Use fresh ginger, it will give the best flavour and a more authentic taste. Avoid powdered ginger.
- soya sauce – Use the light version
- 1 chicken stock cube
- spring onion
- garlic
- lemon juice
- sesame oil
- sweetcorn
- cornflour
While here, explore these other delicious Chinese dishes, perfect for any celebration or meal!
🍊 Chicken Legs in Orange Sauce
🥟 Chinese Dumplings
🥓 Pork Belly – Shanghai Style
🍍 Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs
How to make simple Chinese egg drop soup
Chicken Broth
- First, finely dice the chicken meat and chop the ginger and spring onions.
- Heat a little oil in a medium-sized pot and sauté the chicken and ginger for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute to release its aroma.
- Next, pour in the chicken stock and add the sweetcorn. Let it cook for 10 minutes.
Egg Drop
- In the meantime, crack an egg into a small bowl, beat it, and mix in a little lemon juice. This helps balance the flavour and adds a subtle tang.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture into the soup while stirring with a fork to create those silky egg strands that are key to Egg Drop Soup. Keep stirring to make sure the egg dissolves evenly.
Finish the Soup
- Add a dash of soy sauce and sesame oil, then cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- For a silky consistency, mix cornflour with water to create a slurry. Pour this into the soup and stir well to thicken it up. Taste it and adjust the seasoning, adding salt or more soy sauce for a richer flavour.
Finally, garnish with fresh spring onions for a burst of colour and freshness. This soup is not just tasty but also packed with protein, fibre, and a wonderful combination of comforting textures.
This soup is perfect for Chinese New Year, offering a delicious blend of flavours and symbolism to celebrate prosperity and new beginnings.
Chinese chicken and egg soup
Ingredients
- 300 g chicken meat - breast or leg
- 1 egg
- 1 small piece ginger - dont use powdered
- 3 tbsp soya sauce
- 1 chicken stock cube
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 spring onion
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 500 ml water
- 1/2 cup sweetcorn
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- salt, pepper - to taste
Instructions
- Finely dice the chicken meat and chop the ginger and spring onions. Avoid using powdered ginger; fresh ginger or ginger paste works best.
- Heat oil in a medium-sized pot and sauté the chicken and ginger for 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the chicken stock and add the sweetcorn. Allow it to cook for 7-8 minutes.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg and mix it with lemon juice.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture into the soup while quickly stirring with a fork to create tiny egg pieces. Ensure the egg fully dissolves. Add soy sauce and sesame oil. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix cornflour with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the soup to thicken it.
- Stir well and adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Garnish the soup with fresh spring onions.
Notes
The total calorie count for the Chicken and Egg Chinese Soup recipe is approximately 615 calories.
If you are planning to serve half of the recipe per person, the estimated calorie intake would be around 307 calories per serving.
However, it’s important to adjust the serving size according to your dietary needs and goals. Enjoy this delicious soup as part of a balanced diet.