Chinese Chicken and Black Eyed Peas Soup

Black eyed peas or black eyed beans soup is another Chinese home cooking soup that is not only popular, so easy to make and packed full of nutritional values. Soup has always been a one pot comfort food for the whole family and is at the top of the list for my home cooking menu all year round. Traditionally, this soup is cooked with pork spare ribs and black eye peas, sometimes chicken feet and raw peanuts are also added. For my own home cooking and naturally gluten free 4 ingredients recipe, I am using skinless and boneless chicken breasts, black eye peas, dried red dates and goji berries. This recipe is also dairy free, soy free, egg free and nut free. This is a very much healthy and hearty soup for all ages in the family.

The black eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata), also called black eyed beans or goat peas, are a genus of cowpeas and belong to the family of legumes. Eventhough, they are commonly referred to as peas, they are essentially beans. These edible beans acquired their name from their looks, cream coloured with a black eye in the middle. They are superb when added to soups, stews and salad and can be purchased dried, canned and frozen. Black eyed peas originated from West Africa and were cultivated in Asian countries like China and India since ancient times. They were introduced to Southern United States by slaves from West Africa as early as the 17^th century. Black eyed peas were initially used as food for livestock and later became an important staple food for the enslaved Africans. Today, consuming black eyed peas on New Year’s Day in Southern United States is believed to bring good luck as these peas are a symbolism of coins. Furthermore, black eyed peas are customarily a crucial ingredient in African American “soul food”.

When incorporated as part of a well-balanced diet, black eyed peas have many health benefits. They are low in fats and calories, low in glycemic index, high in dietary fiber and a substitute form of protein especially for vegans and vegetarians. They are also an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals like folate/folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Additionally, they are a good source of thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6, Zinc, iron, and phosphorus. Health benefits of black eyed peas include strengthening the central nervous system; lower risks of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease; support healthy digestive system; lower blood pressure and risks of stroke; decrease cardiovascular diseases; prevent anemia; boosts healthy eye and skin; reduce risks of neural tube defects in pregnant women and aids in weight loss.

Chinese Chicken and Black Eyed Peas Soup

Black eyed peas soup is a Chinese home cooking soup that is packed full of nutritional values from the black eyed peas and chicken.

5 from 1 vote

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Cuisine: Chinese

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 382.13kcal

Author: Daphne Goh

Ingredients

• 1 kg 2.2Ib/35.3oz skinless and boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 300 g 10.6oz black eye peas, washed (also called black eye beans)
• 15 dried red dates seeded
• 3 tablespoons goji berries
• 4 litres water
• 2 teaspoons salt or to taste

Instructions

Method 1 – Using Pressure Cooker:

• Place chicken pieces, black eye beans, dried red dates and goji berries into a large pressure cooker. Mix the ingredients well together.
• Add water to maximum level indicated by the pressure cooker. Cover the pressure cooker and lock lid.
• Bring to a boil, once pressure is attained, reduced heat to low. Cook for 30 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Let the pressure cooker rest for another 10 minutes, carefully release pressure. Unlock lid and add salt to taste before serving.

Method 2 – Stove Top Cooking:

• Place 4 litres of water into a large covered pot and bring to a boil.
• Add black eye peas, dried red dates and goji berries into the pot, bring to a boil again. Then turn the heat to low and simmer for 30 mins.
• Then add in all the chicken pieces and cook for another 1 hour or until black eye peas are soft and tender. Add salt to taste.

Notes

Black eyed peas and dried Chinese red dates can be purchased from Asian groceries stores.

Nutrition Facts

Chinese Chicken and Black Eyed Peas Soup

Amount per Serving

Calories

382.13

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

11.79

g

18

%

Saturated Fat

 

3.35

g

21

%

Trans Fat

 

0.13

g

Cholesterol

 

80

mg

27

%

Sodium

 

692.78

mg

30

%

Carbohydrates

 

41.83

g

14

%

Fiber

 

5.38

g

22

%

Sugar

 

33.62

g

37

%

Protein

 

29.4

g

59

%

Vitamin A

 

5.27

IU

0

%

Vitamin C

 

18.53

mg

22

%

Calcium

 

7.39

mg

1

%

Iron

 

11.79

mg

66

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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