America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Chicken Stock with Ginger, Scallions, and Sautéed Breast Meat

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on June 24, 2009

Yield

Makes about 2 quarts

Chicken Stock with Ginger, Scallions, and Sautéed Breast Meat

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 whole chicken, breast meat removed on the bone, split, and reserved; remaining chicken cut into 2-inch pieces1 chunk unpeeled ginger (about 1 inch), sliced thin and lightly smashed (see illustration below)2 medium scallions, halved lengthwise and lightly smashed2 quarts boiling water 2 teaspoons salt

Before You Begin

Choose this stock when you want to have some breast meat in your soup.

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers and starts to smoke, add the chicken breast halves; sauté both sides until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken breast pieces and set aside.
  2. Add half of the chicken pieces to the pot; sauté both sides until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to an empty bowl. Sauté the remaining chicken pieces. Return the chicken pieces (excluding the breasts) to the pot. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes.
  3. Stir in the ginger and scallions and cook for 1 minute. Increase the heat to high; add the boiling water, the chicken breasts, and salt. Return to a simmer, then cover and barely simmer until the chicken breasts are cooked through and the stock is rich and flavorful, about 20 minutes.
Chicken Stock with Ginger, Scallions, and Sautéed Breast Meat

Chicken Stock with Ginger, Scallions, and Sautéed Breast Meat

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Yield

Makes about 2 quarts

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 whole chicken, breast meat removed on the bone, split, and reserved; remaining chicken cut into 2-inch pieces
1 chunk unpeeled ginger (about 1 inch), sliced thin and lightly smashed (see illustration below)
2 medium scallions, halved lengthwise and lightly smashed
2 quarts boiling water
2 teaspoons salt

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 whole chicken, breast meat removed on the bone, split, and reserved; remaining chicken cut into 2-inch pieces
1 chunk unpeeled ginger (about 1 inch), sliced thin and lightly smashed (see illustration below)
2 medium scallions, halved lengthwise and lightly smashed
2 quarts boiling water
2 teaspoons salt

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 whole chicken, breast meat removed on the bone, split, and reserved; remaining chicken cut into 2-inch pieces
1 chunk unpeeled ginger (about 1 inch), sliced thin and lightly smashed (see illustration below)
2 medium scallions, halved lengthwise and lightly smashed
2 quarts boiling water
2 teaspoons salt

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

Spices such as star anise and Sichuan peppercorns proved to be too distinctive-tasting for this basic chicken stock recipe, and liquids such as rice wine and soy sauce tended to muddy the color of the stock. We found that ginger added a subtle perfume and that scallions supplied a sweet allium flavor.

Before You Begin

Choose this stock when you want to have some breast meat in your soup.

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers and starts to smoke, add the chicken breast halves; sauté both sides until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken breast pieces and set aside.
  2. Add half of the chicken pieces to the pot; sauté both sides until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to an empty bowl. Sauté the remaining chicken pieces. Return the chicken pieces (excluding the breasts) to the pot. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes.
  3. Stir in the ginger and scallions and cook for 1 minute. Increase the heat to high; add the boiling water, the chicken breasts, and salt. Return to a simmer, then cover and barely simmer until the chicken breasts are cooked through and the stock is rich and flavorful, about 20 minutes.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.