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30 Minute Chinese Egg Drop Chicken and Rice Soup with Garlicky Chile OIl. For nights when you’re craving Chinese, but don’t want to leave the comfort of your kitchen. Classic egg drop soup made with a touch of soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, creamy eggs, winter greens, and steamed rice. Top each warming healthy bowl of soup with garlicky chili oil spooned over top. This quick, simple, and healthy rice-filled Chinese soup can be made and ready in just twenty minutes, perfect for any night of the week.
I have this bizarre memory of eating Chinese food with my brothers on Christmas Eve when I was a kid. To set the scene, my mom was running around the house getting ready for her annual Christmas Eve party (so it was chaos). My brothers and I were watching The Santa Clause (still one of my favorite movies) while eating chicken fried rice…and basically ignoring everything my mom asked us to do. And yes, I too have no idea where my brothers scored Chinese food on Christmas Eve.
For whatever reason, I recall this memory every single December. It seems to have been ingrained in me. Because like clockwork, December rolls around and I always want to make Chinese food. I know, so weird and very random.
But I’m not apologizing for making Chinese inspired food. Last year I made chicken potstickers. This year it’s classic Chinese style egg drop soup…with a few twists, of course. Because you all know me, I can’t follow a recipe if my life depended on it.
If you’re not familiar with egg drop soup, it’s a classic Chinese soup made with seasoned broth and soft “egg noodles” throughout. The “egg noodles” are quickly made by whisking raw eggs into the simmering chicken broth. It’s incredibly simple, but also incredibly delicious. And so cozy too!
I added a few additions to make my soup a little unique, while still keeping the cooking process very easy.
This soup is made in one pot, requires mostly pantry staple ingredients, and comes together in just about thirty minutes. Start out by cooking up a good amount of ginger, then adding in broth, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Then add the chicken for a nice dose of protein. Of course, if you’re vegetarian you can omit the chicken and simply use vegetable broth.
Simmer everything together until the chicken is cooked through. While that’s happening, whisk up a few eggs, then slowly pour the eggs into the simmering broth. The eggs will cook and create pretty looking “egg noodles” throughout the soup.
Yes, you should do this. I know they sell chili oil in the store, but this homemade chili oil is better. It’s full of peanut oil, garlic, chili flakes (use Sichuan or Korean chili flakes if you can find), and a little salt.
It’s without a doubt my favorite sauce to spoon over dishes for additional flavor. I almost always have a jar full in my pantry. Make the chili oil while the chicken is simmering. Trust me your bowl of soup NEEDS some chili oil.
Tip: double the oil recipe and keep some on hand to use throughout the week. The oil is delicious when spooned over basically anything savory.
The most important ingredient? Rice. Yes, your bowl of egg drop soup needs rice. It’s not traditional by any means, but it sure is good.
I like to spoon steamed rice into bowls, then ladle the soup over top. This way the rice won’t soak up all the soup broth in the larger pot. Top each bowl off with green onions and a few spoonfuls of that garlicky chili oil.
…so incredibly easy to make
…a little creamy, but also brothy too.
…salty, but full of ginger and garlic to balance it all out.
…healthy, with plenty of greens and lean chicken.
…the best thing you can make on a busy Wednesday night in December.
If you make this 30 minute Chinese egg drop chicken and rice soup, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.