🥢 Introduction
Growing up in Korea, Samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup) was always one of those meals that felt a little extra special. My family usually made it during the hottest days of summer, following the tradition of eating nourishing foods to help restore energy. Even now, whenever I smell the rich broth simmering on the stove, it instantly reminds me of home.
For this recipe, I used a Korean herbal soup pack because I love the deep, comforting flavor it adds to the broth. But if you can’t find one where you live, don’t worry. You can still make a delicious homemade Samgyetang with simple ingredients like chicken, garlic, onion, and green onion. The herbal pack adds another layer of flavor, but it shouldn’t stop you from trying this recipe.
One of my favorite things about Samgyetang is that it’s much easier to make than most people think. Once everything is in the pot, you simply let it simmer until the chicken becomes fall-off-the-bone tender and the broth turns rich and flavorful. There’s something incredibly comforting about filling your kitchen with that warm aroma while dinner slowly cooks itself.
Whether you’re making Samgyetang for the first time or looking for a simple way to enjoy this classic Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup at home, I hope this recipe becomes one you’ll come back to whenever you need a cozy, nourishing meal.
🛒Ingredients
✓ 1 whole chicken (about 900 g / 2 lb)
✓ 10 cloves garlic
✓ 1 onion, halved
✓ 1 green onion
✓ 1 Korean herbal soup pack (optional)
✓ 1.5–2 L water (or enough to cover the chicken)
✓ Salt and black pepper, to taste
🍳 Instructions
Making Samgyetang at home is much easier than you might think. With just a handful of ingredients and a little patience, you’ll end up with a rich, comforting Korean chicken soup that’s full of flavor.
Step 1. Prepare the chicken
Clean the whole chicken and trim off any excess fat if needed.
👉 If you’re not sure how to clean a whole chicken, check out my detailed guide on How to Clean a Whole Chicken before getting started.
Step 2. Add everything to the pot
Place the whole chicken in a large pot.
Add the garlic, onion, green onion, and the Korean herbal soup pack, then pour in enough water to completely cover the chicken.
A Korean herbal soup pack usually contains ingredients like dried ginseng, licorice root, jujubes, astragalus root, and other traditional herbs that give Samgyetang its signature flavor. If you can’t find one, don’t worry—you can still make a delicious and comforting Samgyetang without it.
Step 3. Bring to a boil, then simmer
Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat. As foam rises to the surface, skim it off with a spoon or skimmer to keep the broth clean and clear.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it gently simmer for about 1½ hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
A gentle simmer gives the broth time to develop a rich, comforting flavor while keeping the chicken juicy.
Step 4. Remove the vegetables
Carefully remove the onion, green onion, and the herbal soup pack. By this point, they’ve already infused the broth with plenty of flavor.hickened.
Step 5. Season and serve
Season the broth with salt and black pepper to taste.
Serve the chicken with plenty of hot broth, and enjoy it with kimchi or your favorite Korean side dishes.
🍽️ Serving Tips
Samgyetang is best enjoyed while it’s piping hot. In Korea, it’s traditionally served with a small dish of salt and black pepper on the side, so everyone can season the broth to their own taste.
For a complete Korean meal, serve it with kimchi, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), steamed rice, and a few simple side dishes. Top it with freshly sliced green onions just before serving for extra freshness and flavor.
If you have leftover chicken breast, don’t let it go to waste! Shred the meat and use it to make Korean chicken porridge (dakjuk) or Korean chicken noodle soup (dakguksu) the next day. It’s a delicious way to enjoy every last bit of the chicken.
Leftover Samgyetang can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The broth often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
❓ FAQ
Q. Can I make Samgyetang without a Korean herbal soup pack?
A. Yes! The herbal soup pack adds the traditional flavor of Samgyetang, but you can still make a delicious and comforting chicken soup without it. Garlic, onion, and green onion will still create a rich, flavorful broth.
Q. Can I make Samgyetang ahead of time?
A. Absolutely! In fact, many people think the broth tastes even better the next day because the flavors have had more time to develop. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently before serving.
Q. What should I serve with Samgyetang?
A. Kimchi and kkakdugi are the most popular side dishes. A bowl of steamed rice and a few simple Korean side dishes also pair perfectly with Samgyetang.
Q. What can I do with leftover chicken?
A. Both wheat rice cakes and rice rice cakes work well for this recipe. I used wheat rice cakes because they stay soft and chewy longer, but rice cakes have a firDon’t throw it away! Shred the leftover chicken and use it to make dakjuk (Korean chicken porridge) or dakguksu (Korean chicken noodle soup). It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy the leftovers.
Q. Why isn’t my broth as rich as yours?
A. The secret is patience. Let the chicken simmer gently instead of boiling it too hard. A slow simmer gives you a clearer, richer broth and keeps the chicken nice and tender.
Q. Can I use chicken pieces instead of a whole chicken?
A. You can, but a whole chicken will give you the best flavor. As it slowly cooks, the bones add richness to the broth that’s hard to get with boneless chicken.
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👉 Read: 8 Essential Korean Ingredients Every Beginner Needs
Ingredients
Method
- Place the chicken, garlic, onion, green onions, herbal soup pack, and water in a large pot.
- Bring to a boil, skim off the foam, then reduce the heat.
- Cover and simmer for 1½ hours.
- Remove the vegetables and herbal pack.
- Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot.