Craving a comforting and flavorful soup that warms you from the inside out? Look no further than this incredibly delicious homemade chicken wonton soup recipe! This isn't your average takeout; we're diving deep into creating a rich, savory broth brimming with tender chicken, perfectly cooked noodles, and delicate, homemade wontons bursting with flavor. Forget bland, pre-packaged options – this recipe delivers an authentic taste experience, showcasing the beauty of simple, fresh ingredients elevated to culinary perfection.
From the homemade wonton wrappers to the perfectly balanced broth, this recipe guides you through each step, ensuring success even for novice cooks. Ready to embark on a culinary adventure that results in a bowl of pure comfort and deliciousness? Let's get started with the detailed step-by-step instructions below!
Tools Needed
- Heavy duty scissors
- Sharp knife
- Food processor
- Piping bag
- Piping tip
- Sieve
- Oil strainer
- Cleaver
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil: 1/4 cup
- Diced shallots: 3 tbsp
- Diced scallions: 1 cup
- Diced garlic: 3 tbsp
- Soy sauce: 2 tbsp
- Oyster sauce: 2 tbsp
- Dark soy sauce: 1 tsp
- Chicken leg quarters
- Water or chicken stock: 6-8 cups
- Scallions: 3
- Shallots: 2
- Ginger: 2 inches
- Ground black pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Carrot: 4 oz
- Celery: 4 oz
- Baby bok choy
- Wonton wrappers
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Preparing the Aromatics and Broth
- Rinse diced garlic under running water to remove macans, a chemical that causes bitterness after frying.
- Caramelize shallots, scallions, and garlic in vegetable oil over medium heat for 10-18 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low if needed.
- Scoop out 2-3 tbsp of the caramelized oil, reserving some for the wonton filling. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and dark soy sauce to the remaining oil; stir and cool.
- Remove the backbone from chicken leg quarters, then locate and cut around the tibia and femur bones to easily remove the meat.
- Grind the chicken meat using a food processor.
- Render chicken fat, skins, and bones over medium-low heat until oil is released. Add to a pot with water/stock, scallions, shallots, ginger, and pepper; bring to a boil, then simmer while preparing other ingredients.
- Strain the chicken broth to remove solids, then strain again through an oil strainer to remove excess oil.
Step 2. Making the Wonton Filling and Assembling Wontons
- Combine the ground chicken with the cooled scallion sauce and diced scallions.
- Cut carrots and celery into bite-sized pieces. Prepare baby bok choy.
- pipe filling onto wrapper, fold top corner, then two side corners, and pinch to seal.
Step 3. Cooking the Soup
- Add carrots and celery to the broth and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add wontons to the broth and cook for 3 minutes. Add cold water and cook for another 3 minutes. Add baby bok choy and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 4. Finishing and Serving
- Season with salt to taste and serve hot.
Read more: Chinese Wonton Soup: Thousand-Li Fragrance Recipe
Tips
- Reserve half of the diced scallions for later use to create multi-layered flavors.
- Using chicken leg quarters is budget-friendly; the scraps can be used to make broth, or store-bought broth can be substituted.
- Adding cold water helps to lower the temperature and prevent the wonton wrappers from tearing.
Nutrition
- Calories: 600-800
- Fat: 25-35g
- Carbs: 60-80g
- Protein: 40-50g
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought wonton wrappers?
Absolutely! Store-bought wrappers are a convenient shortcut. Just follow the cooking instructions on the package.
2. How can I make the broth richer?
Simmer the chicken bones and carcass with aromatics (ginger, scallions, etc.) for a longer time (at least 2 hours) for a deeper flavor.
3. What can I substitute for chicken?
Pork or shrimp are excellent alternatives. Adjust the seasoning accordingly to complement the new protein.
This homemade chicken wonton soup recipe is a testament to the rewarding experience of cooking from scratch. Enjoy the satisfying warmth and delicious flavors of this comforting classic, perfect for a chilly evening or anytime you crave a taste of home. Share this recipe with your loved ones and savor the delicious results together!