Chinese Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup

• Warming, comforting and delicious
• Ready in 20 minutes
• Nutritious
• Uses simple everyday ingredients
• Puts leftover chicken to a good use

This soup requires a few simple core ingredients including chicken, corn, egg and stock.

Which type of chicken should I use?

Any cooked chicken will work well including, breast, thighs or leftover rotisserie chicken.

If you don't have leftover cooked chicken to hand you can quickly cook up some thighs or breast or buy rotisserie chicken from your local store.

You can use tinned, frozen or fresh corn. If you're using frozen corn there's no need to defrost it first, just make sure you simmer it in the soup for a few minutes until hot.

You can use fresh chicken stock or powdered stock/cubes.

If you have an instant pot you can make a batch of fresh homemade stock with this easy recipe.

You can also switch the chicken stock for vegetable stock if you prefer.

White pepper, garlic powder and sesame oil are added to give the soup a tasty umami flavour. You can use black pepper or a clove of fresh garlic instead.

I find adding a little chicken stock powder deepens the flavour when I make the soup with fresh homemade stock. However, it may not be needed if you use a generous amount of powdered stock. Taste first to see.

Crack the eggs into a bowl, beat and set aside. Then mix the cornflour and water to make the slurry.

2. Stock

Add the chicken stock and whites of the spring onions/scallions to a saucepan and bring to boil. Then reduce the heat to medium and stir in the slurry and chicken stock powder, sesame oil, garlic powder, salt and white pepper.

3. Eggs

Slowly pour in the beaten eggs, gently whisking as you go so small egg ribbons are formed.

4. Corn & Chicken

Add the corn and chicken and simmer for a few minutes until warmed through. Serve immediately topped with the green parts of the spring onion/scallions.

1. Taste the stock before seasoning - adding extra stock powder deepens the tasty savoury flavour, however, if you have made stock using a strong stock power this may not be necessary. I advise tasting first.
2. Add eggs before chicken and corn - to let them form tasty little egg ribbons without being obstructed by the chicken and corn.
3. Simmer the chicken and corn in the soup until warm - if you are using frozen corn this might take a little longer.

Chicken, egg and corn, the three main ingredients in chicken and sweetcorn soup are rich in protein, vitamins C, D, B and antioxidants making it one of the healthier choices on the Chinese menu.

Because chicken and sweetcorn soup is rich in protein and fibrous corn it is low in fat and will keep you full for longer making it a good choice for weight loss.

Beaten egg is often poured into chicken and corn soup at the end of the cooking process and gently stirred to form egg ribbons. This adds additional flavour and texture making the soup thicker, creamier and richer in flavour.

Although chicken and sweetcorn soup is commonly found on Chinese restaurant and takeaway menus it originated in the US where it was invented by Chinese immigrants who opened up small restaurants. Corn was plentiful and inexpensive so they used it to make a tasty soup with Asian and Western flavours.

Chicken and sweetcorn soup is satisfying, nutritious and easily considered a light meal in its own right. It goes well with a side of prawn crackers or bread and can also be served as a starter.

• Fresh herbs - top the cooked soup with chives, coriander/cilantro or parsley.
• Creamed corn soup - add a little cream or coconut milk
• Pork - pork is commonly used in Cantonese carrot and sweetcorn soup, commonly referred to as 'ABC soup' because the broth contains vitamins A, B and C.
• Seafood - swap the chicken for shrimp or crab. This is a common variation in New Orleans where Cajun seasoning is added to the broth.
• Noodles - add egg or vermicelli noodles for a hearty noodle soup

• Slow cooker - using a slow cooker will deepen the flavour of the soup and cook raw chicken until soft and tender. This recipe has not been tested in a slow cooker so I would recommend you try a specific slow cooker recipe like this one.
• Instant pot - get tasty soup with tender chicken in just 30 minutes. This recipe will show you how.

Chicken and corn soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. First leave it to cool completely then cover or place it into an airtight container and refrigerate. Then reheat thoroughly on the stove or in the microwave.

The cooked soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely then pour it into airtight containers and freeze. Defrost the soup in the fridge then reheat thoroughly on the stove or in the microwave.

If you enjoyed this chicken and sweetcorn soup you should try my other soup recipes including my Mexican style corn soup, easy chicken ramen, spicy chicken noodle soup and creamy chicken tortellini soup. They are all warming, easy to put together and packed with flavour.

Easy Chicken Alfredo Tortellini Soup (with mushrooms & spinach)

Super Easy Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup

Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe

Sopa De Elote Recipe (Mexican Street Corn Soup)

Did you try this recipe? It would be really great if you could leave a comment and a star rating ⭐️. I would love to receive your feedback and know that other readers find it helpful too.