"A Chicken in Mid-Summer, Health All Year Round" – The Art of Eating "Fu Chicken" During Dog Days

The hottest phase of summer, known as "Mid-Fu," officially begins on July 30th! As the old saying goes, "A chicken in mid-summer keeps you healthy all year round." But why is chicken the star of the show during the scorching "Fu" days? Think about it—with sweat pouring out daily, your body’s vital energy (or "qi") is also draining away, leaving you feeling weak and depleted. Chicken, a mild and nourishing "white meat," is packed with high-quality protein that’s easy to digest, making it the perfect remedy.

Ancient wisdom advocates "fighting heat with heat." A steaming bowl of savory chicken soup on a sweltering day induces a good sweat, flushing out the "cold-damp toxins" accumulated in your body. This is the essence of "Fu Bu" (summer nourishment). However, not just any chicken dish will do—the key is light yet restorative meals that avoid greasy, heavy tonics, allowing your body to absorb nutrients comfortably. Below are three of my kitchen’s go-to "Fu Chicken" recipes, each bursting with flavor and mindful preparation:

1. Herbal Black Chicken Soup: The Ultimate Energy Booster

Ingredients:

• ½ black-bone chicken

• 3 fresh Dendrobium stems (or 10g dried)

• 1 yam (Chinese mountain yam)

• 6–8 red dates

• 10g astragalus root (huang qi)

• A handful of goji berries

• A few ginger slices

• Salt to taste

Steps:

1. Clean and chop the chicken, blanch in cold water to remove impurities, then rinse.

2. Peel and cut the yam (wear gloves to avoid itchiness!), rinse the dates, and briefly wash the astragalus, Dendrobium (soak dried ones first), and goji berries.

3. Add all ingredients (except goji berries) to a clay pot with enough water. Bring to a boil, skim off foam, then simmer on low heat for 1.5–2 hours.

4. Toss in goji berries 15 minutes before turning off the heat. Season with salt.

This soup is a gentle powerhouse of nourishment. Black chicken nourishes yin, yam strengthens the spleen, dates and astragalus replenish qi and blood, Dendrobium promotes fluid production, and goji berries brighten the eyes. The clear, non-greasy broth feels like a warm hug for your organs—ideal for summer fatigue, excessive sweating, or dry mouth. One bowl, and you’ll feel recharged!

2. Steamed Chicken with Mushrooms, Carrots & Yam: A Refreshing "Lazy Dish"

Ingredients:

• 3 chicken thighs or drumsticks

• A few dried shiitake mushrooms (soaked)

• ½ carrot

• ½ yam

• Ginger strips, scallion segments

• Soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, starch, a dash of sesame oil

Steps:

1. Marinate chicken with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, ginger, and starch for 15 minutes.

2. Slice soaked mushrooms, and cut carrot and yam into chunks.

3. In a deep plate, layer carrots and yam at the bottom, top with chicken and mushrooms. Drizzle with mushroom-soaking water for extra aroma.

4. Steam over high heat for 20–25 minutes. Garnish with scallions and sesame oil.

Steaming is a summer kitchen lifesaver. This dish locks in the chicken’s tenderness and the veggies’ natural sweetness, with shiitake infusing umami depth. The yam and carrot absorb the savory juices, making it a perfect rice companion—zero stove stress, maximum flavor. A true "lazy-day Fu meal"!

3. Spicy Braised Chicken with Green Peppers: The Ultimate "Rice Killer"

Ingredients:

• ½ young chicken (firmer texture)

• 2–3 green peppers

• Ginger slices, garlic cloves

• Optional: dried chili, 1 star anise

• Soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, salt

Steps:

1. Blanch chopped chicken with cooking wine and ginger to remove gaminess. Drain.

2. Stir-fry ginger, garlic, star anise (and chili) in oil until fragrant. Add chicken and sear until golden.

3. Deglaze with cooking wine, then add soy sauce, a dash of dark soy sauce (for color), and a pinch of sugar.

4. Pour in hot water (just covering the chicken), simmer for 20–25 minutes until tender.

5. When sauce thickens, add green peppers and stir-fry briefly. Adjust salt and serve.

Who says summer calls for bland food? This aromatic, slightly spicy braised chicken revives dull appetites. The young chicken’s firm texture holds up to the rich sauce, while green peppers cut through the richness with a fresh, mild heat. Ladle it over steaming rice, and you’ve got a bowl-licking masterpiece!

This Mid-Fu season, pick a recipe and whip up your own "Fu Chicken." Let this warmth and nourishment fortify you, carrying you smoothly through the summer heat into autumn—health and vitality guaranteed all year long!

(Note: The translation has been expanded to meet the 800-word requirement while maintaining natural English flow and cultural context.)