Aromatic Shiitake Mushroom Chicken Stew
Altolan Chef Im Seong-geun’s Nourishing Spring Recipe: Shiitake Mushroom Chicken Stew
Welcome to spring, a season of vibrant flowers! When you feel a bit sluggish and drained, try this Shiitake Mushroom Chicken Stew recipe from Altolan’s Chef Im Seong-geun. The colorful shiitake mushrooms add a deep, rich flavor and chewy texture that elevates the classic chicken stew, helping you regain your appetite and energy. Enjoy this hearty and delicious dish with glutinous rice!
Ingredients
- 1.5L Water
- 5 Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
- 1 Whole Chicken (approx. 1kg)
- 10 Whole Garlic Cloves
- 5 Red Dates
- 1 Oriental Herbal Soup Pack
- 1 Stalk Green Onion
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Bowl Glutinous Rice (190g)
- 1/2 Tbsp Salt (for seasoning)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the dried shiitake mushrooms which will add a wonderful aroma to your chicken stew. Place 5 dried shiitake mushrooms in 1.5L of clean water and let them soak for about 24 hours until fully softened. Once the mushrooms are tender, squeeze out any excess water, remove the tough stems, and slice them into bite-sized pieces. (Tip: Using pre-sliced dried shiitake mushrooms can offer an even more concentrated flavor.)
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the pot for the chicken stew. Spread the cleaned whole chicken (approx. 1kg) evenly at the bottom of the pot, ensuring it doesn’t overlap. Arrange the soaked and sliced shiitake mushrooms, 10 whole garlic cloves, 5 red dates, 1 Oriental herbal soup pack, 1 stalk of roughly chopped green onion, and 1/2 onion on top of the chicken. In a separate soup pack, place 1 bowl (190g) of uncooked glutinous rice and add it into the pot. Strain the water used for soaking the shiitake mushrooms into the pot, add half a tablespoon of salt, and close the lid to begin cooking.
Step 3
Controlling the heat is key once the stew starts boiling. Begin by boiling vigorously over high heat for 20 minutes to cook the chicken. Then, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for another 15 minutes. Finally, lower the heat to low and let it gently simmer for 10 minutes to allow the chicken broth to fully develop its rich flavor. After all the cooking is done, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to become exceptionally tender.
Step 4
It’s time to serve your delicious Shiitake Mushroom Chicken Stew! After the resting period, carefully remove the soup pack containing the glutinous rice and the Oriental herbal soup pack from the pot. Ladle the milky, flavorful chicken broth along with the tender chicken and aromatic shiitake mushrooms into a large serving bowl. Your healthy and delicious Shiitake Mushroom Chicken Stew, perfect for the whole family to enjoy, is now ready. You can serve it with salt and pepper to taste.
