As fall and winter sets in, this Chicken Corn Egg Drop Soup really hits the spot on a cold day. Chicken Corn Egg Drop Soup is a Cantonese favorite, especially among Hong Kong-ers and, no wonder, as it’s a really souped up (pun intended) version of our beloved egg drop soup with an added protein boost from chopped chicken and a touch of sweetness with the addition of corn.
We interrupt our regularly schedule programming for a note from Kaitlin: Bill (our dad) is allotted a quota of published dad jokes per month. That was one of them. We apologize in advance for any distress caused.
Which variety of corn you use for this special egg drop soup is a personal preference and depends on what you can find at your local markets. Sweet young corn is my preference, but the season always seems to be early and short, hence, we usually use regular yellow corn, which is less sweet but has the body and depth of flavor for making a really flavorful soup. Fresh corn is still readily available during the fall season and if not, frozen corn is a convenient and always-available alternative.
Chicken Corn Egg Drop Soup is usually available on most Chinese restaurant menus if you look for it, and is a welcome change over the usual wonton, hot and sour, and egg drop soup standard trio of favorites. Kick off the start of cold weather days with this one, folks!
Recipe Instructions
Marinate the chicken with 1 tablespoon of water, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon oyster sauce. Mix until the liquid is absorbed into the chicken. Set aside.
Finely mince ½ cup of the corn kernels and set aside. Add the chicken stock, minced and whole corn kernels, and turmeric powder to a pot and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Next, add the sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Turn up the heat slightly.
Add the chicken to the soup, and use a spoon or ladle to break up any clumps of chicken while stirring for one minute.
Re-mix the cornstarch and chicken stock slurry until incorporated (since the cornstarch and water will separate when left to sit for more than a few minutes).
Use a spoon or a whisk to stir the soup while slowly pouring in the cornstarch slurry. The soup will begin to thicken further as the cornstarch cooks. Keep stirring for another 30 seconds. If the soup is too thick, add more stock, and if it’s too thin, add more cornstarch slurry until the soup is at your preferred consistency.
Next, use a large spoon or ladle to gently stir the soup in one direction, while slowly pouring the beaten egg whites into the soup. Stirring slowly in a large slow circular motion will yield large “ribbons” of egg and stirring faster will result in a finer “egg flower.”
Again, use your own discretion on how you personally like the texture of the egg!
Stir in half of the scallions, and add the rest as a garnish for serving. If you’re looking for a bit more flavor, you can also drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the top and sprinkle some chopped cilantro and fresh ground black pepper over each bowl.
Enjoy this chicken corn egg drop soup!
Chicken Corn Egg Drop Soup
Ingredients
- 4 ounces chicken breast (115g, finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1½ cups fresh or frozen sweet corn
- 5 cups chicken stock (organic or homemade preferred)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 pinch white pepper
- 1/4 cup cornstarch (combined with ½ cup chicken stock)
- 2 egg whites (lightly beaten, you can also include the yolks if you want)
- 1 scallion (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped, optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken with 1 tablespoon of water, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon oyster sauce. Mix until the liquid is absorbed into the chicken. Set aside.
- Finely mince ½ cup of the corn kernels and set aside. Add the chicken stock, minced and whole corn kernels, and turmeric powder to a pot and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Next, add the sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Turn up the heat slightly. Add the chicken to the soup, and use a spoon to break up any clumps of chicken while stirring for one minute.
- Re-mix the cornstarch and chicken stock slurry until incorporated (since the cornstarch and water will separate when left to sit for more than a few minutes). Use a spoon or a whisk to stir the soup while slowly pouring in the cornstarch slurry. The soup will begin to thicken further as the cornstarch cooks. Keep stirring for another 30 seconds. If the soup is too thick, add more stock, and if it’s too thin, add more cornstarch slurry until the soup is at your preferred consistency.
- Next, use a large spoon or ladle to gently stir the soup in one direction, while slowly pouring the beaten egg whites into the soup. Stirring slowly in a large slow circular motion will yield large “ribbons” of egg and stirring faster will result in a finer “egg flower.” Again, use your own discretion on how you personally like the texture of the egg!
- Stir in half of the scallions, and add the rest as a garnish for serving. If you’re looking for a bit more flavor, you can also drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the top and sprinkle some chopped cilantro and fresh ground black pepper over each bowl.
nutrition facts
Didn’t have the turmeric powder. Still delicious anyway.
Turmeric can be optional ;-)
This recipe just put my leftover corn to perfect use, so simple and absolutely delicious! Another recipe that worked perfectly, thank you!!!!
Hi Bernadette, good idea using your leftover corn for this soup;-)
Question: What is the best way to “chop” raw chicken breast (I assume sharp knife and a butcher block? or is there an better way?) And how fine to chop?
Hi Jimmy, I like the cut chicken breast that is still partially frozen when it is thawed just enough so it is still firm which makes cutting so much easier. How fine to chop it is totally a personal preference although I like it in small pieces – almost like a ground chicken.
This is a lovely soup with a difference, great for the coming autumn (fall).
More jokes from Dad , please
Hi peter, glad you enjoyed this chicken corn egg drop soup but most importantly, thanks for your support!
Grew up with this as a kid. Ultimate home comfort food in Chinese households! Versatile too. No chopped chicken breast? Use rotisserie chicken leftovers. Wrong season for fresh corn? Frozen works great. And so on!
Hi Jack, I love your attitude and resourcefulness!
Such a great easy standby
Hi Jo, glad you are enjoying our chicken corn eggdrop soup!
Simple and delicious! Great to make when you don’t have much left in the pantry… or time.
Hi Carolina, totally agree that this chicken corn egg drop soup is quick and easy yet still very satisfying.
Absolutely simple, comforting and fast to make with ingredients I already had at home. Will definitely use this recipe again.
Hi Nicole, thanks for your comment and positive review!
Made this tonight and it’s going onto the regular comfort-food rotation. We had some really tasty homemade chicken stock on hand, which helped. It’s simple and satisfying.
Hi Kalia, homemade chicken stock is the best!
Yes!! Amazing soup. This will be a regular.
Glad you liked it Stephanie!