Ahh, Chicken Soup 🍲—the ultimate comfort food. Warm, nourishing, and simple to make, whether for a cozy night in or to soothe a cold.
Classic Chicken Soup
Servings: 4–6
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1–1.5 hours
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (3–4 lbs) or 2–3 lbs bone-in chicken pieces
- 8 cups water or chicken broth
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 2–3 sprigs fresh)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 cup noodles, rice, or dumplings (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook chicken
- Place chicken in a large pot with water or broth.
- Add bay leaves, thyme, and a pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 40–50 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Prep vegetables
- Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the pot.
- Simmer another 20–25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Shred chicken
- Remove chicken, let cool slightly, shred meat, and discard bones/skin if desired.
- Return shredded chicken to the pot.
- Add optional starch
- Stir in noodles, rice, or dumplings and cook until tender (5–10 minutes).
- Season & serve
- Adjust salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
🔥 Pro Tips
- Clearer broth: Skim foam while simmering.
- Flavor boost: Roast the chicken first for deeper flavor.
- Make-ahead: Soup tastes better the next day; refrigerate and reheat gently.
- Variations: Add ginger & lemongrass for an Asian twist, or potatoes and corn for a hearty twist.
I can also give a slow cooker chicken soup or a creamy chicken noodle soup recipe if you want a quicker, hands-off option.
Do you want the slow cooker version?
