Hot and Sour Chicken Broth

This broth is filled with contrasting sweet, sour, hot, and salty flavors, and is made in minutes. Instead of chicken, you could try using fish stock and shelled shrimp.

SERVES 4
PREP 15 MIN
COOK 20 MIN
FREEZE UP TO 1 MONTH
AT THE END OF STEP 2

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 quart (1 liter) chicken stock
• 2in (5cm) piece ginger, sliced
• 8 lime leaves, shredded
• 5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro stems
• 2 stalks lemongrass, split lengthwise and lightly bruised
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 chicken breasts, about 4½oz (125g) each, cleaned and thinly shredded
• 2–3 bird’s eye chiles, finely sliced
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3 small shallots, sliced
• Juice of 2 limes
• 3 tbsp Asian fish sauce
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 2 small bok choy, coarsely chopped
• Handful of bean sprouts

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pour the chicken stock into a large pan and add the ginger, lime leaves, garlic, cilantro stems, and lemongrass. Season with salt and pepper, bring the stock to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Strain the stock into a clean pan and stir in the chicken, chiles, sugar, shallots, lime juice, fish sauce, and chili sauce. Simmer for 4–5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked.
3. Add the bok choy and cook the broth for another minute. Stir in the bean sprouts and serve at once.

TIPS:

Here are some tips to enhance your experience while making Hot and Sour Chicken Broth:

• Adjust Spice Levels: The heat in this broth comes from bird’s eye chiles and sweet chili sauce. Adjust the quantity of chiles and chili sauce to suit your preferred level of spiciness. Be cautious; bird’s eye chiles can be extremely hot.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh and high-quality ingredients. Fresh ginger, garlic, and lime juice will contribute to the vibrant flavors of the broth.
• Simmer the Broth: Allow the broth to simmer with the aromatics for the recommended time. This helps infuse the flavors and create a rich base.
• Shred Chicken Thinly: When shredding the chicken, ensure it’s thinly shredded. This allows it to cook quickly and absorb the flavors of the broth.
• Garnish Creatively: Customize your garnishes. Fresh cilantro leaves, Thai basil, or thinly sliced scallions can add a burst of freshness to your bowl of soup.
• Serve Hot: This soup is best enjoyed piping hot. Serve it immediately once it’s ready to maintain its flavors and warmth.
• Experiment with Proteins: While chicken is traditional, feel free to experiment with other proteins like shrimp or tofu for a different twist on the recipe.
• Accompaniments: Serve with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles if you prefer a heartier meal.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to create a delicious Hot and Sour Chicken Broth with the perfect balance of sweet, sour, hot, and salty flavors. Enjoy!

Enjoy your flavorful and comforting Hot and Sour Chicken Broth!