A classic, light and tangy Chinese tomato chicken soup ready in ~30 minutes.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 2 chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
  • 3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
  • 4 cups (1 litre) chicken broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 slices fresh ginger
  • 2 spring onions, cut into 5cm pieces
  • 1 tsp light soy sauce
  • ½ tsp sesame oil
  • Salt and white pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (optional, to thicken)
  • 2–3 eggs, beaten (optional, for egg ribbons)

Instructions

  1. Toss chicken with a pinch of salt and cornstarch. Marinate 10 mins.
  2. Bring broth to a boil with ginger and spring onions.
  3. Add tomatoes, simmer 10 mins until softened.
  4. Add chicken, cook 5–8 mins until done.
  5. Slowly drizzle in beaten eggs while stirring for silky egg ribbons.
  6. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and salt. Serve with rice.

Tips

  • Use white pepper for authentic Chinese flavour.
  • Ripe tomatoes create the best natural sweet-sour broth.
  • Add a splash of rice vinegar to brighten if tomatoes aren’t tart.
  • Add noodles or bok choy in the last 5 minutes for a heartier meal.