Chicken Congee with Scallions
A silky bowl of ginger-scented rice porridge topped with tender shredded chicken, scallions, cucumber, toasted sesame oil, and a savory tea egg.
Ingredients
- 🍚 7 tablespoons uncooked jasmine rice
- 🍗 4 1/4 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 🥚 1 large egg
- 🍵 1 black tea bag
- 🫚 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 🌱 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 🥒 1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- 🥢 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 🫗 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 💧 5 cups water
Directions
- Place the egg in a small saucepan, cover it with 2 cups of the water, and bring it to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 9 minutes.
- Drain the egg, cool it under cold running water for 1 minute, gently crack the shell all over without peeling it, and return it to the saucepan with the tea bag, soy sauce, and the same 2 cups of fresh water.
- Bring the tea-egg liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes; turn off the heat and leave the egg in the liquid while you cook the congee.
- Combine the rice, ginger, and the remaining 3 cups of water in a 2-quart saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the rice is swollen and the liquid is creamy.
- Nestle the chicken breast into the simmering congee, cover, and cook over low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, turning it once, until the thickest part reaches 165°F and the meat is opaque throughout.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes, then shred it into bite-size pieces with two forks.
- Remove the tea egg from its liquid, peel it carefully, and cut it in half; discard the tea bag.
- Stir the sesame oil into the congee, then taste and adjust the texture with a splash of hot water if it is thicker than a silky porridge.
- Ladle the congee into a bowl and arrange the shredded chicken, tea-egg halves, scallions, and cucumber on top; serve hot.