Steamed Chicken with Winter Melon and Glass Noodles
Ingredients
- 500 grams chicken thighs/ whole leg 500克鸡腿肉/整只鸡腿
- 180 grams winter melon 180克冬瓜
- 30-50 grams glass noodles 30-50克粉丝
- 9 grams dried longan 9克干龙眼
- 15 grams goji berries 15克枸杞
- 350 ml water 350毫升水
Seasoning for chicken 鸡肉调味料：:
- 1/4 salt 1/4茶匙盐
Garnish 装饰:
- 1 sprig coriander 1枝香菜
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Season the chicken with salt and set aside. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Winter Melon
- Remove the skin from the winter melon.
- Cut it into small, bite-sized chunks.
Assemble the Dish
- Place the winter melon into a deep heatproof plate.
- Pre-wash longan and goji berries. Then spread them over the winter melon.
- Place the seasoned chicken on top.
- Add some water to the plate to create a light soup base.
Steam
- Bring the water in your wok to a boil.
- Steam on high heat for about 25 minutes.
Add the Glass Noodles
- Soak the glass noodles until soft. It takes about 15 minutes.
- About 5 minutes before the chicken is done, tuck the softened glass noodles into the soup.
- Continue steaming until the chicken is fully cooked and the noodles are tender.
Serve
- Serve hot and enjoy while the soup is light, fragrant, and nourishing.
Notes
Cut the winter melon into even, small chunks — this helps it cook evenly and soften faster, giving you a smoother, more comforting texture.
Clean the chicken thoroughly — remove any visible blood clots or dark residues around the bone area to prevent any unwanted smell after steaming.
Choose your steaming method — steam on high heat for 25 minutes for a quicker meal, or low heat for about 1 hour or longer if you prefer the chicken to be extra soft and tender.
Add the glass noodles near the end — glass noodles absorb liquid quickly, so adding them about 5 minutes before the chicken is done keeps the soup light and balanced.
Use a deep plate — this allows enough space for the soup to form without overflowing and ensures even cooking.