In traditional Chinese medicine, food is more than just sustenance – it’s a form of healing. This Chinese chicken soup recipe has been cherished for generations as a gentle, nourishing way to support overall wellness, especially when it comes to fertility. Rich in warming ingredients like ginger, goji berries, and Chinese red dates, this soup is believed to strengthen the body’s qi (energy), tonify the blood, and support the kidneys—an organ system closely tied to reproductive health in Chinese medicine.
Chicken, especially when simmered slowly with bones, provides essential amino acids and collagen, which help restore vitality. Goji berries are known for their antioxidant properties and their traditional use in boosting reproductive function. The result is a comforting, tasty soup that’s not only delicious but also deeply restorative.
Whether you’re preparing your body for conception or simply seeking balance, this fertility-boosting chicken soup is a beautiful blend of nourishment and flavour.
For a deeper dive into how traditional ingredients can support reproductive health, check out our full guide on Eating for Fertility.
This simple soup is designed to warm the body, improve circulation, and nourish blood—perfect for supporting fertility.
Ingredients:
– 1kg whole chicken, or
– 6 red dates, pitted
– 1 small piece of fresh ginger (about 2 inches), sliced
– 1 onion, peeled
– 2 tablespoons goji berries
– 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
– 1-2 Chinese yams, peeled and sliced (if yams aren’t available substitute with potato, sweet potato or butternut squash)
– sea salt
Instructions:
1. Rub the whole chicken all over with salt and rinse with cold water.
2. Add the chicken to a stock pot, along with enough water to just cover the chicken. Bring the water to a boil, uncovered.
3. Reduce heat, add ginger and onion to the pot. Simmer for approximately 40 minutes. Periodically skim foam from the top and discard.
4. Remove from the heat, using tongs remove the chicken from the pot and allow to cool. When chicken has cooled enough to touch, remove cooked meat from the bones and shred/chop into pieces. Discard the chicken carcass and add a cup or two of the shredded meat. Add the red dates, carrot and Chinese yam at this point too.
5. Return to the pot to the stove, over a low heat simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
6. Add the goji berries and cook for a further 15 minutes.
7. Season to taste.
8. Serve warm, and enjoy the soothing and nourishing effects of this fertility-boosting soup!
This soup is great for boosting circulation, nourishing blood, and warming the body – all important for fertility in TCM.
At Yin Wellness Brisbane, we’re proud to offer a safe and affirming space for all families and to walk alongside you – wherever your path to parenthood takes you.