Slow Cooker Black Chicken

Delight in the rich, nourishing flavors of Slow Cooker Black Chicken, a traditional Asian comfort dish that’s as wholesome as it is aromatic. This recipe stars silkie chicken, renowned for its unique black flesh and tender texture, simmered to perfection with warming aromatics like fresh ginger, garlic, and star anise. Enhanced with the natural sweetness of goji berries and red dates, along with umami-packed shiitake mushrooms, this slow cooker creation offers a deeply fragrant broth brimming with health-boosting ingredients. Cooked low and slow for 6-8 hours, the chicken becomes irresistibly tender, while the broth develops layers of complex flavor. Perfectly paired with steamed rice or noodles, this elegant yet easy-to-make dish is ideal for cozy family dinners or as a restorative meal. Whether you’re seeking a soulful recipe packed with nutritional benefits or simply craving something extraordinary, this Slow Cooker Black Chicken will exceed all expectations.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:375 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 whole (~2-3 lbs) black chicken (silkie)
• 2 inches (sliced) fresh ginger
• 4 whole (lightly smashed) garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons dried goji berries
• 5 whole dried red dates
• 6 whole shiitake mushrooms (dried or fresh)
• 4 whole (cut into 3-inch pieces) scallions
• 6 cups water
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 2 whole star anise

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the black chicken well under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Remove any excess fat and trim off the neck, if desired. (You can leave the skin on for added flavor.)

Step 2

Slice the ginger and lightly smash the garlic cloves to release their aroma.

Step 3

If using dried shiitake mushrooms, soak them in warm water for 15 minutes to rehydrate, then drain and set aside.

Step 4

In a slow cooker, add the black chicken and arrange the ginger, garlic, goji berries, red dates, shiitake mushrooms, and scallions around it.

Step 5

Pour in the water, then add the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, whole black peppercorns, salt, and star anise.

Step 6

Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set it to low heat and cook for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is tender and the flavors have melded together.

Step 7

Taste the broth and adjust the salt level, if needed.

Step 8

Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker. You can serve the chicken whole for presentation or shred the meat for easier serving.

Step 9

Serve the dish hot with a side of steamed rice or noodles, and ladle the flavorful broth over the top. Garnish with finely chopped scallions, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2900.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2874.6

Total Fat 186.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 47.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.8g
Cholesterol 850.5mg	0%
Sodium 4266.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 66.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.0g	0%
Total Sugars 33.1g
Protein 217.5g	0%

Vitamin D 100.8IU	0%
Calcium 450.2mg	0%
Iron 22.6mg	0%
Potassium 3663.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.7%

Protein: 30.9%

Carbs: 9.4%