Old hen (stewing chicken)

A mature laying hen past her prime, sold whole (in Australia, frozen as 'broiler breeder'). The flesh is too tough for the table but hours of boiling draw out the deepest chicken flavour of any bird. It is the foundation of superior stock and the strongest-tasting chicken soups.

TCM properties

Nature · warming　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、stomach

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy old hen is used to replenish qi, warm the centre and, in tradition, to nourish essence and marrow — the choice bird for deep restorative broths.

Cautions — read first

• Warming tonics are not suitable while you have a cold with fever
• Those with high blood lipids should take off the skin and the fat
• Drink it sparingly if you run hot and dry

Preparation

Take off the skin, remove the innards and the fat at the tail, then blanch it (飛水).

Origin

本地蛋雞場退役母雞，急凍出售 — Raw poultry cannot be imported into Australia; Umall sells frozen soup-grade old hen (2kg+ bird ~$38)

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$18.95–18.95 / kg
Umall Frozen Broiler Breeder ('old hen', soup grade) 2kg+ bird $37.89 (≤$18.95/kg); supermarket whole chicken $5.50–5.80/kg for comparison

Pairs well with