Ingredients

1 1-inch piece fresh ginger
2 medium cloves garlic, unpeeled
10 to 12 oz. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat (about 3 medium)
2 cups low-salt chicken broth
1 Tbs. soy sauce
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. Asian chile paste, like sambal oelek or Sriracha
1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro
2 Tbs. thinly sliced scallion (green tops only)
Kosher salt
1 Tbs. mild vegetable oil, like canola or safflower oil
1 cup packed baby spinach (about 2 oz.)

Nutritional Sample Size based on four servings
Calories (kcal) : 160
Fat Calories (kcal): 80
Fat (g): 10
Saturated Fat (g): 2
Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 3
Monounsaturated Fat (g): 4
Cholesterol (mg): 45
Sodium (mg): 700
Carbohydrates (g): 4
Fiber (g): 0
Protein (g): 16

Preparation

Peel the ginger and slice it into four 1/4-inch coins. Using the flat side of a chef’s knife or a meat pounder, smash the coins. Smash the garlic and remove the skin.
In a medium saucepan, combine the ginger, garlic, chicken, broth, soy sauce, lemon juice, chile paste, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Using a pair of tongs, transfer the chicken to a plate. Use a slotted spoon to remove the ginger and garlic and discard. Keep the broth warm.

Finely chop the cilantro and scallion. Put them in a mortar, add a pinch of salt and 2 tsp. of the oil, and pound and mash with the pestle (see tip). Once the mixture begins to blend, add the remaining teaspoon of oil. Continue to grind the pestle into the cilantro mixture until it is aromatic and has the consistency of a paste.
Once the chicken is cool, slice it thinly and portion it into four soup bowls. Return the broth to a simmer and season with salt to taste. Add the spinach to the broth and continue to simmer until it’s wilted, 1 to 2 minutes more. Ladle the broth and spinach evenly over each portion of chicken and then top each with a dollop of the cilantro paste.

Tip

If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, mince the scallions and cilantro, transfer to a small bowl to combine with the oil, and scrape the mixture back onto a cutting board. Position the blade of a chef’s knife at a 30-degree angle to the board and repeatedly drag the blade over the cilantro mixture using a bit of pressure to mash it.

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Reviews (7 reviews)

bangotango | 08/07/2020
This is in regular rotation in my house. It's delicious, nutritious, and meets my dietary restrictions (keto) while still satisfying my husband (not keto!). I do double most ingredients and go up to 6oz for the spinach and toss in some high quality, no sugar fish sauce as well.
I'm wondering if anyone has had success freezing this soup. I'm afraid the citrus would go a bit wonky if frozen but I'd really like to make this and freeze to take to my mother in another city.
antsmanpc | 10/11/2018
Made this exactly as advised and came out beautifully. Delightful on this Rainy fall New England afternoon.
ncrgvv | 04/08/2016
I have not made this yet, but I am looking forward to it!I was more than horrified to see the following allowed as a review:? ? ? ? ?"by darcy811, 3/5/2010 Adding amazing taste to everyday dishes couldnt be easier, as long as youre using College Inn Broth. This message is being posted on behalf of Del Monte and we hope that it is of interest for you".Corporate spokes people should not be allowed to write reviews promoting their products when obviously the person who wrote it never made it.P.S. I'm sure the Organic Low Sodium Better Than Bouillon either Chicken or Veggie will be much better. Great deal at Costco!I'm only a consumer. Don't work for any of the companies.
ncrgvv | 04/08/2016
I have not made this yet, but I am looking forward to it!I was more than horrified to see the following allowed as a review:? ? ? ? ?"by darcy811, 3/5/2010 Adding amazing taste to everyday dishes couldnt be easier, as long as youre using College Inn Broth. This message is being posted on behalf of Del Monte and we hope that it is of interest for you".Corporate spokes people should not be allowed to write reviews promoting their products when obviously the person who wrote it never made it.P.S. I'm sure the Organic Low Sodium Better Than Bouillon either Chicken or Veggie will be much better. Great deal at Costco!I'm only a consumer. Don't work for any of the companies.

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What We're Cooking Now

Name: Ginger Chicken Soup
Yield: four as a light main course. servings
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger; 2 medium cloves garlic, unpeeled; 10 to 12 oz. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat (about 3 medium); 2 cups low-salt chicken broth; 1 Tbs. soy sauce; 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice; 1/4 tsp. Asian chile paste, like sambal oelek or Sriracha; 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro; 2 Tbs. thinly sliced scallion (green tops only); Kosher salt; 1 Tbs. mild vegetable oil, like canola or safflower oil; 1 cup packed baby spinach (about 2 oz.)