Easy Chicken Congee Recipe

Chicken congee is a type of porridge made primarily from chicken and rice. It has a delicate and smooth texture and is heartwarming and comforting. It’s a popular and delicious dish that I often enjoy. My grandmother's specialty is chicken congee, and she passed down her recipe to me. Today, I’m excited to share this mouthwatering recipe with you all.

3 Reviews
3 Comments
POSTED:23/07/2024
Level:Medium
Yield:1 servings
Total:1 hr 0 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:8 min

This chicken congee recipe is simple, using common ingredients found in everyday life. However, to make the congee tender and delicate, there are a few key points to keep in mind. Let’s take a look together!


1.About Chicken Congee

Chicken congee is one type of congee, also known as porridge. Congee is a thick, mushy food made by cooking grains such as rice, millet, or corn. It is a traditional Chinese food with origins that can be traced back to the time of the Yellow Emperor, who is said to have "cooked grains into congee." 

Congee has long been used for health and nutrition by ancient people. According to "Records of the Grand Historian" (Shiji), a famous doctor from the Western Han dynasty, Chunyu Yi (Cang Gong), used "fire congee" to treat the King of Qi. In the "Treatise on Cold Damage" by Zhang Zhongjing, a renowned physician of the Eastern Han dynasty, it is mentioned that drinking hot congee after taking cinnamon twig decoction helps enhance the efficacy of the medicine.

Chicken congee is made with chicken and rice as the primary ingredients. It is rich, aromatic, and has the benefits of boosting energy and strengthening the body. It is particularly suitable for pregnant women as it helps to maintain health and prevent illness.


2.Ingredients and Substitutions

The main ingredient for making congee is rice, but you can pair it with various foods according to your preferences, such as preserved eggs, mushrooms, shrimp, etc., to create delicious congee. Below are the ingredients I used for this recipe.

Millet: This time, I used millet. It has small grains and a rich flavor, which I particularly enjoy. For making congee, you can also use other types of rice such as white rice, japonica rice, or indica rice. Choose the type you prefer the most.

Shredded Chicken Breast: I chose chicken breast because it is low in fat and pairs well with millet. However, you can use any part of the chicken if you prefer not to use chicken breast.

Vegetables: I also prepared minced onions, minced celery, diced carrots, and green peas, which are my favorite vegetables. You can substitute them with vegetables you like, such as mushrooms or corn.

Seasoning: Making congee doesn’t require many seasonings; the simpler, the better the congee tastes. I prepared chicken broth and butter.


3.Tips for Washing Rice

Are you surprised that I'm talking about washing rice? While it may seem simple, many people don't realize that there are specific techniques involved.

Frequency and Duration: To clean the rice thoroughly, some people wash it multiple times. However, it is recommended to wash the rice gently 1-2 times to avoid losing nutrients. The washing time should not be too long to prevent excessive nutrient loss. Studies show that after one gentle wash, the rice loses 4% of its protein, 10% of its fat, and 5% of its minerals.

Water Temperature: The water temperature should not be too high when washing rice, as this can cause the nutrients on the rice's surface to be lost. It is best to use cold water to rinse the rice, which helps preserve its nutritional content.

Gentleness: Do not scrub the rice vigorously, as this can wash away the surface starch where most of the rice's nutrients are located. Gently stir the rice to let impurities and dirt float to the surface, then pour off the water.


4.Can It Be Made Vegetarian?

Of course! Congee originally started as a simple dish made from rice and water, making it inherently vegetarian. Over time, people have developed various ways to enjoy congee. So, if you follow a vegetarian diet, you can simply cook plain rice congee or add some of your favorite vegetables, such as cabbage or lettuce.


5. Can the Cooking Time Be Shortened?

Under normal circumstances, it is best to cook congee on medium-low heat, allowing it to simmer gently, which usually takes about an hour. Avoid cooking on high heat, as this can cause the rice to stick to the bottom of the pot and burn.

If you're short on time, you can reduce the cooking time by rinsing and soaking the rice overnight. The softened rice allows the hot water to distribute heat more quickly and evenly, speeding up the cooking process. Some chefs take it a step further by soaking the rice and then freezing it. This method breaks the rice grains, increasing the surface area and further reducing the cooking time. These steps require a bit of advance planning, so be sure to plan accordingly.


6.Who Should Avoid Chicken Congee?

Chicken congee is highly nutritious, and generally, most people can enjoy it in moderation. However, if you have digestive issues, it is advisable to eat less, as rice is high in starch and can be difficult to digest for those with sensitive stomachs.

Additionally, if you are allergic to chicken, you should avoid adding chicken to your congee.


Alright, now that we've covered so much information about chicken congee, I believe you have a good idea of how to make a delicious bowl of chicken congee. So, let's get started and make this comforting and tasty dish together~

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 60g millet
  • 5g shredded chicken breast

ACCESSORIES

  • 5g minced celery
  • 5g green peas
  • 5g minced onion
  • 5g diced carrot
  • Some chopped green onions

SEASONINGS

  • 200ml chicken broth or water
  • 3g butter

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare the Ingredients:

Rinse 60g of millet thoroughly.

Cook 5g of fresh chicken breast until fully cooked, then shred into small pieces.

Wash and prepare 5g each of minced celery, green peas, minced onion, and diced carrot. Cut the celery, carrot, and onion into small pieces.

Prepare millet, chicken breast, celery, peas, onion, and carrot for cooking.

STEP 2

Prepare a clean pot and heat it up. Add 3g of butter.

Tip:

Butter can be substituted with other cooking oils, but I find butter adds a richer flavor.

Prepare pot, heat, add butter. Butter can be replaced with oils for different flavor.

STEP 3

Add 5g of minced onion to the pot and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Add 5g minced onion to pot, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.

STEP 4

Then add 60g of millet and stir-fry until fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Tip:

Be cautious with the heat; medium-low heat is sufficient.

Add millet, stir-fry for 3 min until fragrant on medium-low heat. Use caution with heat.

STEP 5

Add 5g of minced celery and 5g of shredded chicken breast.

Tip:

Since the carrots and green peas are already cooked, hold off on adding them now. If using raw carrots and peas, you can add them at this stage.

Add minced celery and shredded chicken breast. Hold off on adding cooked carrots and green peas.

STEP 6

Add the prepared chicken broth (200ml).

Add 200ml of prepared chicken broth to the recipe.

STEP 7

Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat.

Boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat.

STEP 8

Cover the pot and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes to prevent sticking.

Simmer covered pot for 30 min, stirring every 10 min to prevent sticking.

STEP 9

After 30 minutes, add the precooked 5g diced carrot and 5g green peas. Stir well.

Add precooked carrot and peas after 30 minutes.

STEP 10

Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes.

Cook for additional 5-10 minutes.

STEP 11

Once done, garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Garnish dish with chopped green onions before serving.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Easy Chicken Congee Recipe
  • Main Ingredients:7
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:156 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 156 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):261 kcal
    12%
  • Protein:8.6 g
    16%
  • Fat:3.36 g Why gray?
    7%
  • Carbohydrates:49.1 g
    20%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 12%
    33 kcal
  • Fat: 11%
    28 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 77%
    200 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
3:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

3 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
SavorySensationOctober 05, 2024

This recipe is amazing! The combination of millet and vegetables is perfect, and the chicken adds rich flavor.
SpiceSizzleSeptember 25, 2024

I don’t have chicken breast, can I use another type of meat?
reply:
September 28, 2024
You can use other meats such as pork or beef, but the cooking time may vary. Ensure the meat is fully cooked before adding it to the recipe.
DavidJuly 25, 2024

Why does mine smell fishy?
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