Baeksuksuk, a traditional Korean dish, is a comforting and nourishing meal known for its simplicity and delicate flavors. It has been a staple in Korean households, particularly during colder months or times of healing, thanks to its rich, clear broth and tender chicken. This dish is often prepared with just a few key ingredients, but when cooked in a pressure cooker, it becomes a time-saving yet equally flavorful meal that captures the essence of Korean home cooking. In this article, we’ll explore how Baeksuksuk is made using a pressure cooker, how to perfect the dish with variations like jujube and glutinous rice, and why it’s such a beloved meal in Korean culture.
Pressure Cooker Chicken Baeksuk: A Quick Yet Flavorful Dish
Baeksuksuk has long been a symbol of comfort in Korean cuisine, made from whole chicken, garlic, ginger, and leeks, all simmered together to create a nourishing broth. Traditionally, it’s cooked slowly, allowing the flavors to meld together, but the pressure cooker has revolutionized how we prepare this dish. It makes the cooking process faster without compromising the richness of the broth or the tenderness of the chicken.
Key Ingredients for Baeksuksuk:
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Whole chicken A key protein that becomes tender and flavorful when pressure-cooked.
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Garlic Adds depth and a savory aroma to the broth.
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Ginger Balances the rich flavor with its slight spiciness.
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Leeks Infuse the broth with a subtle, earthy taste.
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Jujube (optional) Adds a sweet, medicinal note that enhances the broth.
Cooking Process:
The beauty of the pressure cooker lies in its ability to cook the chicken in just a fraction of the time. While a traditional Baeksuksuk might take up to 2-3 hours to achieve the perfect tenderness, the pressure cooker can cook the chicken in 20-30 minutes, making it ideal for busy days when you still want to enjoy a comforting homemade meal.
To make Baeksuksuk in a pressure cooker, follow these simple steps:
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Prepare the chicken Rinse the chicken and remove any innards. Place it in the pressure cooker.
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Add aromatics Toss in garlic, ginger, and leeks. If you’re using jujubes, add them at this stage for a sweet and medicinal touch.
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Add water Pour in enough water to cover the chicken and aromatics. You can also season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
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Cook Close the pressure cooker lid, set it to high pressure, and cook for about 20-30 minutes.
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Serve Once done, carefully release the pressure and open the lid. The chicken should be tender and the broth clear. Serve with steamed white rice and enjoy.
This quick cooking method ensures you get a hot, hearty meal without hours of preparation.
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Baeksuksuk Variations: From Samgyetang to Nurungji
While the traditional Baeksuksuk is delicious on its own, you can experiment with different variations to suit your taste. Two of the most popular additions are Samgyetang-style Baeksuksuk and the incorporation of Nurungji.
Samgyetang-Style Baeksuksuk:
Samgyetang, a Korean ginseng chicken soup, is a cousin of Baeksuksuk but typically includes ginseng and glutinous rice stuffed inside the chicken. While Baeksuksuk is a simpler dish, incorporating ginseng or glutinous rice can elevate it to a more medicinal level, particularly during the hot summer months when Samgyetang is often eaten for its rejuvenating properties.
To prepare a Samgyetang-style Baeksuksuk:
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Stuff the chicken with glutinous rice before cooking.
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Add ginseng roots along with garlic and ginger to the pressure cooker to intensify the broth’s flavor.
Baeksuksuk with Nurungji:
Nurungji is the crispy rice crust that forms at the bottom of the pot when cooking rice. Many Koreans enjoy the crunchy texture and nutty flavor of nurungji as an accompaniment to their Baeksuksuk. To make Baeksuksuk with nurungji:
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After cooking the chicken in the pressure cooker, you can make a simple nurungji broth by simmering some leftover rice in the broth.
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The crispy rice bits, once soaked in the broth, add a delightful texture and richness.
These variations add extra layers of flavor and texture, transforming Baeksuksuk into a more complex dish that appeals to different tastes and occasions.
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Baeksuksuk: A Dish with Health Benefits
Baeksuksuk is not just delicious—it’s also packed with health benefits, making it a popular dish for recovery or when you’re feeling under the weather. The clear broth, rich in collagen from the chicken, is believed to help with skin health, while the garlic and ginger boost the immune system. Additionally, the dish’s simplicity makes it easily digestible, which is why it’s often consumed by those recovering from illness.
For those with more specific health needs, Baeksuksuk can be modified to include other ingredients like ginseng for energy or jujube for its blood-purifying properties. The dish has long been known for its ability to promote vitality and strength.
Health Benefits of Baeksuksuk:
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Boosts immune function Garlic and ginger are known to have natural antibacterial properties.
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Promotes skin health The collagen in the chicken broth can improve skin elasticity and hydration.
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Easy on digestion The clear, simple broth is gentle on the stomach, making it ideal for people with digestive issues.
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Conclusion
Baeksuksuk is more than just a meal—it’s a comforting, nourishing experience that embodies the heart of Korean cuisine. Whether you’re preparing it in a pressure cooker for a quicker result or experimenting with variations like Samgyetang or nurungji, this dish is bound to warm your heart and satisfy your cravings. With its many health benefits, Baeksuksuk also makes for an excellent choice when you’re looking to nourish your body and soul. So, the next time you’re craving something comforting, try making this beloved Korean dish at home—you won’t be disappointed!
