Homestyle Chicken Meatball Soup

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground chicken 500g (1.1 lb) ground chicken
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Toppings: fried shallots, chopped scallions, crispy fried wontons Toppings: fried shallots, chopped scallions, crispy fried wontons
• Chili sauce, to taste Chili sauce, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, minced garlic, chopped shallot, grated ginger, cornstarch, soy sauce, salt, and white pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the chicken mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. 3.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
4. 4.
   Pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
5. 5.
   Serve the soup hot, garnished with fried shallots, chopped scallions, crispy fried wontons, and a drizzle of chili sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground chicken — Make sure to use lean ground chicken for healthier meatballs. If you prefer a juicier texture, you can use a combination of ground chicken breast and thigh meat.
• Cornstarch — Cornstarch helps bind the meatball mixture together and gives it a tender texture. If you don't have cornstarch, you can substitute it with potato starch or tapioca starch.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a few slices of fresh chili pepper to the soup while simmering.
• To save time, you can make the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them until ready to use.
• If you prefer a thicker broth, you can dissolve an additional tablespoon of cornstarch in water and add it to the soup during the last few minutes of cooking.

Serving advice

Serve the Homestyle Chicken Meatball Soup hot in individual bowls. Make sure to include a generous amount of meatballs in each serving and top with fried shallots, chopped scallions, crispy fried wontons, and a drizzle of chili sauce for added flavor and texture. Serve with steamed rice or noodles on the side for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Homestyle Chicken Meatball Soup, arrange the toppings in an appealing manner. Sprinkle the fried shallots and chopped scallions evenly over the soup, and place a few crispy fried wontons on top. Drizzle the chili sauce in a decorative pattern for an added touch of color.