A pot of chicken congee is a comforting kitchen project for a quiet afternoon. This archive recipe combines brown rice, a whole chicken, ginger and vegetables, then finishes with sesame and fresh herbs.
Serve it in deep bowls, with the herbs ready for everyone to add at the table.
Serves 4, as in the original recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, about 1.5 kg
- 200 g long-grain or basmati brown rice
- A 5 cm piece of ginger, grated
- Chopped vegetables, such as carrot, celery and onion
- 1 cup button or shiitake mushrooms, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped spring onion, to serve
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, to serve
- Water, enough to cover the chicken, with more as needed
Method
- Put the chicken, rice and ginger in a large, heavy saucepan. Add enough water to cover and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer gently, with the lid partly covering the pan, for about 2–3 hours. Add the vegetables and mushrooms after the first hour.
- Stir occasionally and add water as needed so the rice does not catch. The finished rice should be soft and the mixture thick and spoonable.
- Check the chicken with a food thermometer: poultry should reach at least 74°C in the thickest part, away from bone. Cooking time alone is not a safety check. NSW Food Authority — Cooking temperatures.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate. Once manageable, remove the skin and bones, checking carefully for small bones. Shred the meat and return it to the pot.
- Stir in tamari, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Taste before seasoning, then serve with spring onion and coriander.
Leftovers and ingredients
Divide leftovers into shallow containers to cool promptly, then refrigerate. Cooked chicken and rice both need careful storage. Better Health Channel — Food safety and storage.
This recipe includes soy and sesame; check the tamari label for other ingredients. It has not been assessed for a medical diet.
Try lentil bolognese for another pot-based meal. If you are considering food restrictions for skin symptoms, see our eczema guide.
The clinic offers dietary and lifestyle review through an initial naturopathy consultation. Melbourne Wellness — Services.
Discuss suitability at a consultation.
Sources
Read 15 October 2026. Clinical sources support the adjacent general information; clinic links verify the advertised appointment menu.
- NSW Food Authority — Cooking temperatures — Australian public-health guidance; accessed 2026-10-15.
- Better Health Channel — Food safety and storage — Australian public-health guidance; accessed 2026-10-15.
- Melbourne Wellness — Services — current clinic facts; accessed 2026-10-15.
