Clay Pot Old Hen Soup (Super Simple Tutorial!)
砂锅老母鸡汤 · pan chinese cuisine
Old hen soup is a classic Chinese home-style soup, prized for its rich, clear broth. It is traditionally simmered low and slow in a clay pot, with aromatics and goji berries added near the end. Salt is added only at the end so the broth stays clean-tasting.
Gus WhitfieldRetired firefighter in Texas, been smoking brisket since before it was cool. Low and slow is the only way. Still burn the rice sometimes, don't judge.Nutrition & allergens
No supported allergens detected from surveyed ingredients.
Some ingredients are not yet allergen-surveyed; this label is not exhaustive.
Per serving (4 servings)
- Energy (kcal)
- Unknown
- Protein (g)
- Unknown
- Fat (g)
- Unknown
- Carbs (g)
- Unknown
- Sodium (mg)
- Unknown
Estimated from verified ingredient data for the original formula — not lab values, and one dish is not a full meal.
mu ji母鸡
1.0 whole
scallion葱花
1.0 stalk
5.0 slice
goji berries (dried)枸杞（可不用）
as needed
as needed
Techniques you'll use
- Chicken stock (gao tang) ↗
Simmer bones and aromatics slowly for a clear, savory base.
- Simmering (dun) ↗
Gentle low-heat cooking in liquid until flavors merge and meat softens.
Steps
- 1
Step 1
Cut the old hen into pieces. Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in water. Cut the scallion into sections and slice the ginger; set aside. (Fresh shiitake mushrooms can be used instead — just rinse them, no soaking needed.)
✅ Done when: The hen is cut into even pieces and the mushrooms, scallion, and ginger are prepped and ready.
- 2
Step 230 min
Cover the hen pieces with water and soak for 30 minutes.
✅ Done when: The hen has been fully submerged in water for 30 minutes.
Place the hen, scallion sections, and ginger slices in a clay pot. Add drinking water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer gently.
✅ Done when: The pot has reached a rolling boil, after which the heat is turned down to a gentle simmer.
- 4
Step 430 min
Low heat
After about half an hour, skim off the foam that has risen to the surface.
✅ Done when: About 30 minutes have passed and the grayish foam on the surface has been removed, leaving a clearer broth.
Add the soaked dried shiitake mushrooms and continue simmering over low heat.
✅ Done when: The mushrooms are in the pot and the broth is simmering gently.
After about half an hour, add the goji berries and continue simmering over low heat.
✅ Done when: About 30 minutes have passed and the goji berries are now in the simmering broth.
Simmer over low heat for another 30 minutes, then the soup is ready to serve.
✅ Done when: After 30 minutes more of gentle simmering, the broth is rich and the chicken is done.
- 8
Step 8
Ladle into bowls and add a few saffron threads — both nutritious and beautiful. Season with salt at the end.
✅ Done when: The soup is ladled hot into bowls, topped with saffron threads that release their color into the broth.