Ah, Chicken Soup 🍲🐔 — the ultimate comfort food! Savory, nourishing, and perfect for chilly days or when you need a little pick-me-up. Here’s a classic, from-scratch version with tender chicken and flavorful vegetables.
🍗 Classic Chicken Soup
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs / 1.4–1.8 kg) or 3–4 lbs bone-in chicken pieces
- 10 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 2 sprigs fresh thyme)
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 cup egg noodles or rice
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley, dill, or a squeeze of lemon
Instructions
- Cook the chicken
- Place the whole chicken or chicken pieces in a large pot with water or broth.
- Add bay leaves, thyme, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Skim off any foam that rises to the top. Simmer 45–60 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove & shred chicken
- Take chicken out of the pot, let it cool slightly, then remove skin and bones. Shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the vegetables
- Add carrots, celery, and onion to the simmering broth. Cook 10–15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add garlic during the last 2–3 minutes.
- Optional noodles or rice
- If using, add noodles or rice and cook until tender.
- Combine & season
- Return shredded chicken to the pot. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Serve
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, dill, or a squeeze of lemon if desired.
Pro Tips
- Rich flavor: Use bone-in chicken for a deeper, more savory broth.
- Clear soup: Skim foam and fat for a cleaner-looking broth.
- Make ahead: Soup tastes even better after a few hours or the next day.
- Freezing: Can be frozen in portions for quick meals.
I can also give you:
- 🥕 Classic chicken noodle soup
- 🍋 Lemon chicken soup (light & bright)
- 🌿 Herbed chicken soup with garlic and thyme
- 🥘 Hearty chicken and vegetable stew-style soup
Do you want the classic chicken noodle version next?
