Whether you’re freshly postpartum or just craving something warm and healing, this Chicken Herbal Soup with Red Dates is a must-try. It’s rich, nourishing, and infused with traditional Chinese ingredients known for their restorative benefits.
After having my second baby, I found myself turning to recipes that not only filled me up but truly nourished me from the inside out. One of my absolute go-tos during postpartum recovery is this Chicken Herbal Soup with Red Dates, Longan, and Goji Berries. It’s a soothing, naturally sweet, and warming soup that supports healing, boosts energy, and even gives your skin a glow.
This isn’t just soup—it’s tradition, comfort, and postpartum care all in one pot.
The Healing Power of Chinese Herbal Ingredients
Chinese postpartum food traditions emphasize restoring warmth, blood, and energy (Qi) to the body. This soup features a beautiful combination of herbs and superfoods, all chosen for their restorative and healing benefits:
Red Dates (Jujubes)
Red dates are rich in iron, antioxidants, and vitamin C, making them incredible for:
- Postpartum recovery: They help replenish blood and energy after childbirth.
- Skin health: Red dates are known to brighten the complexion and improve elasticity.
- Calming the mind: Their naturally sweet flavor nourishes both the body and spirit.
Longan
Dried longans add a delicate sweetness and are often used in traditional Chinese medicine to:
- Support better sleep
- Ease anxiety and fatigue
- Enhance skin tone
Perfect for moms running on little sleep.
Goji Berries
Often called a “beauty berry,” goji berries are packed with antioxidants and have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to:
- Improve skin radiance
- Support immune health
- Fight postpartum fatigue
Tips for Making This a Postpartum Pantry Staple
Add-ons: You can toss in dried shiitake mushrooms, astragalus root, or dang gui (angelica root) for even more healing benefits.
Stock up: I like to keep dried red dates, longans, and goji berries in airtight jars in my pantry—they last a long time and make soup-making so easy.
Bone-in chicken = more nourishment: Using bone-in chicken adds collagen and minerals to the broth.
Nourishing Chicken Herbal Soup with Red Dates
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs chicken drumsticks or thighs
- 10-12 dried red dates jujubes
- 10-12 dried longans
- 3 tablespoons goji berries
- 3 –4 thin slices of fresh ginger
- 6 –8 cups of water enough to just cover the ingredients
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In your Instant Pot or pressure cooker, combine the chicken, red dates, longans, ginger, and water.
- Set to Pressure Cook (High) for 25 minutes.
- Let it naturally release for 10–15 minutes.
- Open the lid and add the goji berries.
- Switch to Sauté mode and simmer for another 5 minutes to fully soften the goji berries.
- Serve warm and enjoy the gentle sweetness and soul-soothing warmth.
Anonymous
I just came across your recipe when searching for postpartum chicken soup. I am Asian American and it’s super encouraging to see how you’ve developed this recipe with Chinese traditions in mind. I’m also encouraged by your wedding story and how God has blessed you. -Carol