Tender Chicken Samgyetang for Babies
[Special Meal] Delicious and Tender Chicken Samgyetang Your Baby Will Love
I prepared this special nourishing dish, Chicken Samgyetang (or a simplified version focusing on tender chicken and rice), so that even fussy eaters can enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal, perfect for a healthy boost. Since the stove does most of the work, you can spend quality time with your baby and just check on it occasionally. Packed with love and goodness, I hope your little one enjoys it!
Main Ingredients
- 3 chicken drumsticks
- 2 cups glutinous rice
Broth Ingredients
- 5 jujube dates
- 1/2 large green onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 50-60g daikon radish
- 3 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 2L water
Garnish
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
- 5 jujube dates
- 1/2 large green onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 50-60g daikon radish
- 3 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 2L water
Garnish
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the chicken drumsticks. Carefully remove the skin, as it can be tough for babies. Then, make a few shallow cuts into the meat with a knife. This helps the chicken cook evenly and become more tender.
Step 2
For very young babies or those who can tolerate it, soak the chicken drumsticks in milk (formula or regular milk) for about 30 minutes. This step helps to remove any gamey odors and further tenderizes the meat, making it perfect for little ones.
Step 3
Let’s prepare the flavorful broth. In a pot, combine 2L of water with the jujube dates, green onion, garlic cloves, daikon radish, and dried shiitake mushrooms. (Tip: Using whole garlic cloves will yield a richer broth compared to minced garlic or pre-made broth packs.)
Step 4
Bring the broth ingredients to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently. This allows the flavors from the vegetables to infuse into the water, creating a delicious base.
Step 5
Rinse the glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Soaking ensures the rice grains cook up soft and fluffy, creating a comforting porridge-like texture.
Step 6
Once the broth is simmering, rinse the prepared chicken drumsticks (after soaking in milk/formula) and add them to the pot. Cook until the liquid reduces by about one-third, or for a richer flavor, simmer gently for about 1 hour. The longer it simmers, the more tender the chicken will become.
Step 7
After the chicken is tender, skim off any excess fat from the surface. Remove the simmered vegetables (green onion, radish, garlic) from the broth. Now, add the pre-soaked glutinous rice to the pot and let it cook with the chicken. The rice will absorb the savory broth and become wonderfully soft, resembling a delicious porridge.
Step 8
Continue to simmer over low heat until the rice grains are fully cooked and tender. Once the rice is soft, stir in the chopped chives and cook for just another minute to release their fresh aroma.
Step 9
I felt a little envious watching babies who can easily tear and eat chicken legs, so I carefully deboned and shredded some tender chicken meat for my little one. (My baby was ready, but I was a bit hesitant, so I helped by separating the meat from the bone! Hehe.) Providing soft, bite-sized pieces of chicken will make it even easier for your baby to enjoy.
