Print

Homemade Chicken Soup

Homemade Chicken Soup
Print Recipe

Homemade Chicken Soup is a timeless, comforting dish made with bone-in chicken, fresh vegetables, and herbs simmered to create a nourishing and flavorful broth. Perfect for cozy meals or when you’re feeling under the weather, this recipe is versatile, easy to customize, and packed with wholesome goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks), about 2-3 pounds

Aromatics

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped

Vegetables

  • 3 medium carrots, chopped

Herbs

  • Fresh parsley, a handful, chopped
  • Fresh thyme, 3-4 sprigs

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Liquid

  • 8 cups chicken broth or water (preferably broth for richer flavor)

Optional Add-ins

  • Noodles (about 1 cup), rice, or potatoes for additional heartiness
  • Red pepper flakes or hot sauce for spice
  • Gluten-free pasta to keep it gluten-free
  • Mushrooms and vegetable broth for a vegetarian version
  • Ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil for an Asian twist
  • Spinach, kale, or Swiss chard added at the end for extra greens

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the chicken pieces under cold water and pat them dry to ensure a clean base and better absorption of flavors during cooking.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, garlic, and celery and sauté until tender and fragrant, forming the flavorful foundation of the soup.
  3. Add Chicken and Broth: Place the chicken pieces into the pot and pour in enough chicken broth or water to cover everything. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender.
  4. Add Vegetables and Herbs: Once the chicken is tender, add chopped carrots, fresh parsley, and thyme. Continue simmering until vegetables are soft but not mushy.
  5. Shred and Season: Remove chicken from the pot, shred the meat off the bones, and discard bones and skin if desired. Return shredded chicken to the soup and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Optional Add-Ins: If using noodles, rice, or potatoes, add them now and cook until tender. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Your Homemade Chicken Soup is now ready to serve.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken pieces for richer, more flavorful broth.
  • Simmer gently on low heat to avoid cloudy broth and extract maximum flavor.
  • Skim excess fat from the surface for a cleaner, lighter soup.
  • Add fresh herbs near the end of cooking to preserve their bright aroma and flavor.
  • Season gradually to prevent over-salting.
  • Freeze leftover broth in ice cube trays for easy use in future recipes.
  • Reheat gently on medium-low heat, adding broth or water if the soup thickens too much.

Nutrition

Keywords: homemade chicken soup, comforting soup, chicken broth soup, immune boosting soup, classic chicken soup, easy chicken soup recipe

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/homemade-chicken-soup/