BLACK CHICKEN SOUP
The silkie chicken, which has black skin and has long been believed to have therapeutic characteristics by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is used to make this recipe for Chinese black chicken soup.
Additionally, it is wonderful! The clear broth of this black chicken soup has a purely delicious chicken flavor.
BLACK CHICKEN SOUP
WHAT IS A BLACK SILKIE CHICKEN?
The silkie chicken is a diminutive breed of chicken with black bones and skin, as well as incredibly soft, fine feathers from head to toe. It is believed to have its roots in prehistoric China.
This kind of chicken is referred to as “black boned chicken” (w g j), “bamboo chicken” (zh s j), “black footed chicken” (hi jio j), or “medicinal chicken” (yào j) in Chinese.
Other English names for the breed are Chinese Silk Chicken and Silky Chicken. The skin, bone, and meat of the bird are all colours of black, charcoal, and grey, which may initially seem unusual.
Although it takes a few seconds to recognize its peculiar appearance, the chicken tastes excellent! I discover, for example,that even after cooking for a long time, the meat’s texture is still fairly decent.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLACK CHICKEN
Although the Chinese have long thought that this kind of chicken has healing powers, scientific research has revealed that silkie chickens actually have twice as much carnosine (an antioxidant) as conventional chicken does.
Therefore, it is thought that black chicken has anti-inflammatory qualities that help avoid or lessen oxidative stress, cell aging, macular degeneration, kidney issues, and other issues.
Interestingly, there is a black chicken species from India called Kadaknath or Kali Masi that has comparable levels of carnosine. Sadly, breeding operations are currently being conducted to try to save this type from extinction.
Black silkie chicken is a source of antioxidants in addition to being high in protein, B vitamins, Vitamin E, and other minerals. Additionally, generally smaller in size—between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds (0.75-1 kg), as opposed to a conventional chicken’s 3–4 pounds (1.3–1.75 kg). It is hence leaner than typical chicken.