Super Healthy Steamed Chicken With Goji Berries

This is one of my healing meals. Three simple ingredients — chicken, goji berries, and black fungus — steamed together until the flavors meld and the nutrients shine through. It is a classical Cantonese dish that has been in Chinese families for generations, and once you taste it you will understand why. Clean, restorative, and genuinely delicious.

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I have been anemic since childhood, and goji berries have been part of my health routine for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a Chinese household, the philosophy was clear: food is medicine. This steamed chicken recipe is one of the most direct expressions of that belief — it is designed to repair red blood cells, support the liver and kidneys, and restore the body after exertion, illness, or days when you simply ate too heavily.

The Health Benefits of This Dish

Goji berries are one of the most studied functional foods in Chinese medicine. They support the liver, kidneys, eyes, and lungs. They are sweet, neutral, and nourishing. Studies have found benefits in calmness, athletic performance, happiness, sleep quality, and general well-being. They are also mild enough for children — when autumn comes or my kids are sick, goji berries go straight into the chicken noodle soup.

The black fungus in this recipe is another functional food with a long history in Chinese medicine. It is high in iron, supports circulation, and has a satisfying chewy texture that my kids somehow love more than the chicken itself.

Ingredients

Goji Berries

• Why they are essential: Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) are classified in Chinese medicine as a liver and kidney tonic. They nourish the blood, brighten the eyes, and replenish yin deficiency. Research has identified anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and immune-stimulating properties. In this dish they soften during steaming into tender, subtly sweet morsels that absorb the savory chicken juices — the combination is genuinely beautiful.

Buy dried goji berries at any Asian supermarket. Online, organic dried goji berries are reliable and easy to keep on hand.

Chicken Breast (or Any Cut)

• Why breast is the healthiest choice: Chicken breast is high in lean protein with almost no saturated fat once the skin is removed. It steams quickly, stays moist with the goji berry juices, and keeps this dish clean and light. You can substitute legs, drumsticks, or a mix of cuts — they all work and all come out delicious. The longer cook time for bone-in pieces (around 30–35 minutes) actually intensifies the flavor.

Professional Tips for a No-Fail Dish

Pro Tip 1 — Steam in a Pot or Instant Pot

You can use a stovetop bamboo steamer or a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. A bamboo steamer is the traditional tool and imparts a very subtle woody fragrance. For modern convenience, an Instant Pot works equally well: fill with water, place the steamer basket inside, set the dish on top, seal, and steam for 25 minutes on the Steam setting. I have the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 and use it for this dish regularly.

Pro Tip 2 — Keep the Marinade Simple

The marinade is just salt and sesame oil. That is all you need. The simplicity is intentional — this dish is about the natural flavors of the chicken and goji berries, not masking them. Sesame oil adds a nutty depth that anchors the whole dish. Toss, let sit 10 minutes, then steam.

Pro Tip 3 — Skim the Fat

After steaming you will see a thin layer of chicken fat floating on the surface of the cooking liquid. Skim it off with a slotted spoon before serving. The fat carries umami but also saturated fat — removing it keeps the dish clean and lets the goji berry sweetness shine through more clearly.

Pro Tip 4 — Serve Warm, Always

In Chinese tradition, everything is served warm — not hot, not cold. Warm food digests more efficiently. The gentle warmth also keeps fats in liquid form, allowing them to pass through the digestive system more quickly. Serve this with a bowl of plain steamed rice and a cup of hot tea for the full healing meal experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Chicken breast steamed for 20–25 minutes at medium-high heat will be cooked through. Use a meat thermometer — the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Bone-in pieces may need 30–35 minutes. The flesh should be opaque white throughout with no pink near the bone.

Can I use fresh goji berries instead of dried?

Dried goji berries are preferred in this recipe. They rehydrate during steaming and release their nutrients and flavor into the cooking liquid. Fresh goji berries are rarely available outside of China, but if you find them, use the same quantity.

What is black fungus and where do I find it?

Black fungus (wood ear mushroom / Auricularia auricula) is a dried edible mushroom used widely in Chinese cooking. It has a satisfying chewy texture, mild flavor, and is high in iron and polysaccharides. Find it dried at any Asian supermarket. Soak in warm water for 20 minutes before use.

Can I make this dish for children?

Yes — it is one of the best dishes for children. The flavor is gentle, the ingredients are wholesome, and the goji berries are sweet enough for kids to enjoy. My children love the black fungus in particular. I make this when they are sick or when I want to give them a nutritional reset after a heavy week.

Is this dish suitable for people who are anemic?

This dish was specifically designed in Chinese medicine to tonify blood and support red blood cell health. Goji berries boost hemoglobin, chicken provides iron-rich protein, and black fungus is one of the highest plant sources of iron available. That said, please consult your doctor about managing anemia — diet supports treatment but should not replace medical care.

Can I add other herbs to the steam?

Yes. Common additions include Chinese red dates (2–3 pieces), dried longan fruit, and wolfberries. These are the same herbs used in the nourishing healthy tea recipe — combining them with this chicken creates an even more restorative meal.

If you enjoy healing, nourishing Chinese-inspired recipes, explore the Nourishing Healthy Tea and Steam Preserved Vegetables with Pork — both built on the same food-as-medicine philosophy.