This Hainan Chicken Coconut Soup, or yēzǐ jītāng (椰子鸡汤), is not your typical coconut soup, which is often made with coconut milk (see Sarah’s Thai Coconut Chicken Soup, or Tom Kha Gai).Instead, we use coconut water and fresh coconut, giving the soup a hint of sweetness, a delicate coconut aroma, and most importantly, robust chicken flavor.  I also make this soup with chicken drumsticks, the most economical cut of chicken out there, making it a budget-friendly recipe as well!  Where This Soup is From When you see a recipe that uses fresh coconut, you know it’s from a tropical region.Hainan is an island province in China with a tropical climate.

As China’s southernmost point, it runs parallel to Southeast Asia.  Hainanese Chicken Rice, another famous dish, is now popular across Southeast Asia, especially Singapore, where Hainanese immigrants are said to have invented it.   This soup is rich and nourishing, with a buttery mouthfeel and great flavor.  Health Benefits of Coconut According to Traditional Chinese medicine, coconut is said to help: Invigorate Qi and strengthen the spleen Promote bodily fluid production, relieving dry/bitter mouth or dry skin, reducing regulating thirst, and cooling internal heat Reducing swelling or  Provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits Aids stomach function, relieves indigestion and bloating Nourishing the heart, kidney, and liver Coconut is also said to be r

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