Homemade chicken soup

Golden broth, brimming with tender chicken pieces, soft vegetables, and fragrant herbs, Homemade chicken soup is the quintessential comfort food, a warm embrace in a bowl that nourishes both body and soul. This is not just a simple soup; it’s a culinary tradition, a time-honored recipe passed down through generations, where simple ingredients transform into a deeply flavorful and satisfying meal. Imagine the soothing aroma of simmering chicken and vegetables filling your kitchen, the vibrant colours of carrots and celery peeking through the golden broth, and the first spoonful delivering a perfect balance of savory chicken, tender vegetables, and rich, comforting broth, promising a culinary experience that is both easy to create and utterly restorative to enjoy. This recipe is your gateway to homemade goodness, bringing the timeless comfort of Homemade chicken soup to your table, ready to be savored on chilly evenings or whenever you crave a taste of home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Unmatched Comfort in a Bowl

Experience the profound comfort of Homemade chicken soup, a dish that transcends mere sustenance and offers a sense of warmth and well-being with every spoonful. This soup is more than just food; it’s a culinary hug, a soothing balm for the senses that evokes feelings of home and care. Enjoy the unparalleled comfort of a classic dish, perfect for chilly days, moments of needing extra care, or anytime you desire a truly comforting and soul-satisfying meal.

Incredibly Versatile and Adaptable

Discover the remarkable versatility of Homemade chicken soup, a recipe that readily adapts to your preferences and available ingredients. Customize the vegetables, herbs, and seasonings to create a soup that is uniquely yours, catering to your specific tastes and pantry staples. Enjoy the freedom to experiment and create countless variations of this classic soup, offering endless possibilities for flavour exploration and personalized culinary creations.

Budget-Friendly and Economical Meal

Appreciate the budget-conscious nature of Homemade chicken soup, a dish that transforms simple, affordable ingredients into a flavourful and satisfying meal for the whole family. Utilizing economical chicken pieces and readily available vegetables, this recipe delivers maximum flavour and comfort without straining your wallet. Enjoy a wholesome and delicious homemade soup without compromising on taste or quality, offering a truly budget-friendly and family-friendly dinner solution.

Aromatic and Inviting Kitchen Fragrance

Fill your home with the enticing aroma of Homemade chicken soup simmering on the stove, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that welcomes family and guests alike. The fragrant combination of chicken, vegetables, and herbs infuses your kitchen with a comforting and homey scent, setting the stage for a truly enjoyable mealtime experience. Experience the sensory delight of a kitchen filled with the irresistible aroma of homemade soup, enhancing the overall dining experience and creating a welcoming ambiance.

Perfect for Meal Prepping and Leftovers

Embrace the make-ahead convenience of Homemade chicken soup, a dish that tastes even better the next day and is ideal for meal prepping and enjoying throughout the week. Prepare a large batch of soup and savor delicious and comforting leftovers for lunches or quick dinners, simplifying your meal planning and ensuring you always have a wholesome option on hand. Enjoy the practicality of having a flavourful and satisfying soup ready to reheat whenever you need a quick and easy meal, offering a perfect solution for busy lifestyles and streamlined meal management.

Ingredients:

For the Rich and Flavorful Broth

• 3 lbs chicken pieces, bone-in, skin-on (such as thighs, drumsticks, and/or wings). Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces are essential for creating a rich and flavorful broth, releasing collagen and fat that contribute to depth of taste and texture. Using a mix of chicken pieces provides a balanced flavour profile. Ensure to use halal certified chicken.
• 12 cups water, cold, filtered. Cold, filtered water is the base of the broth, allowing the chicken and vegetables to slowly release their flavours and create a clean and pure taste. Cold water helps to extract maximum flavour from the ingredients. Filtered water ensures the purest flavour for the broth.
• 2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped. Carrots add sweetness and a vibrant orange colour to the broth, contributing to its overall flavour complexity and visual appeal. Roughly chopped carrots release their flavour gradually during simmering.
• 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped. Celery adds a savory and slightly peppery note to the broth, contributing to its depth of flavour and aromatic complexity. Roughly chopped celery releases its flavour gradually during simmering.
• 1 large onion, yellow or white, quartered. Onion adds a foundational savory flavour base to the broth, contributing to its overall richness and aromatic complexity. Quartered onion releases its flavour gradually during simmering.
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed. Smashed garlic cloves release their pungent and aromatic flavour into the broth, enhancing its savory depth and complexity. Smashed garlic is preferred over minced as it provides a more mellow garlic flavour during long simmering.
• 2 bay leaves, dried. Bay leaves add a subtle, tea-like aroma and a hint of bitterness to the broth, contributing to its depth of flavour and complexity. Dried bay leaves are essential for classic broth flavour.
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, whole. Whole black peppercorns add a subtle peppery spice and aromatic complexity to the broth, enhancing its overall flavour profile. Whole peppercorns release their flavour gradually during simmering and are easily removed later.
• 1 teaspoon salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Salt is essential for seasoning the broth, enhancing all the flavours and preventing a bland taste. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavour and even seasoning. Adjust to taste.

For the Hearty and Nutritious Soup

• 2 cups egg noodles, wide or medium width. Egg noodles add heartiness and a comforting carbohydrate element to the soup, providing a satisfying texture and absorbing the flavorful broth. Wide or medium egg noodles are classic choices for chicken soup.
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (from broth or extra cooked chicken). Cooked chicken adds protein and substance to the soup, making it a more complete and satisfying meal. Shredded or diced cooked chicken is easy to incorporate and distribute throughout the soup.
• 1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced or diced. Sliced or diced carrots add sweetness, colour, and a tender texture to the soup, complementing the broth and chicken. Sliced or diced carrots cook quickly in the soup and provide visual appeal.
• 1 cup celery, sliced or diced. Sliced or diced celery adds a savory and slightly crisp texture to the soup, complementing the broth and chicken. Sliced or diced celery cooks quickly in the soup and provides textural contrast.
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional). Fresh parsley adds a pop of colour and a fresh, herbaceous note to the finished soup, enhancing its visual appeal and flavour. Fresh parsley provides a bright and fresh garnish.

How to Make Homemade chicken soup ?

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Step 1: Make the Chicken Broth

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine chicken pieces, water, carrots (roughly chopped), celery (roughly chopped), onion (quartered), garlic (smashed), bay leaves, black peppercorns, and salt. Combine all broth ingredients in a large stockpot or Dutch oven.

Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for at least 2-3 hours, or up to 4 hours. Bring broth to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer for a long period to extract maximum flavour from the chicken and vegetables. Longer simmering time results in a richer and more flavorful broth.

Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during simmering. Skim off any foam or impurities that accumulate on the surface of the broth during simmering to ensure a clear and clean broth.

Step 2: Strain the Broth and Shred Chicken

Remove chicken pieces from the broth using a slotted spoon or tongs and set aside to cool slightly. Remove chicken pieces from the broth and set aside to cool enough to handle.

Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander into a clean bowl or pot, discarding solids. Strain broth to remove all solids, resulting in a clear and smooth broth.

Shred or dice the cooked chicken meat, discarding skin and bones. Once cooled, shred or dice the cooked chicken meat, discarding skin and bones. Shredded or diced chicken is easier to incorporate into the soup.

Step 3: Cook the Noodles and Vegetables

Return the strained broth to the stockpot and bring to a boil. Return strained broth to the stockpot and bring to a rolling boil.

Add egg noodles and cook according to package directions, or until al dente. Add egg noodles to the boiling broth and cook according to package directions until tender but still slightly firm to the bite.

Add sliced or diced carrots and celery to the soup during the last 10-15 minutes of noodle cooking time, or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Add sliced or diced carrots and celery to the soup to cook until tender-crisp while the noodles finish cooking.

Step 4: Add Chicken and Serve

Add shredded or diced cooked chicken to the soup and heat through. Add shredded or diced cooked chicken to the soup and heat through completely.

Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste, if needed. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed to enhance flavour.

Serve Homemade chicken soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot for the best flavour and comforting warmth. Garnish with fresh parsley for visual appeal and fresh herb flavour.

Enjoy each warm, comforting, and flavourful spoonful.

Tips for Variations:

Lemon Herb Brightness Infusion

Add lemon juice, freshly squeezed, and fresh dill or thyme, chopped, to the soup at the end for a brighter and more herbaceous flavour. Lemon juice and fresh herbs add a refreshing and vibrant flavour dimension to the soup.

Spicy Ginger Garlic Kick

Add ginger, freshly grated, and garlic, minced, to the broth during simmering for a spicier and more aromatic broth base. Fresh ginger and garlic infused into the broth create a more pungent and flavourful soup.

Creamy Chicken Soup Indulgence

Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half at the end for a richer and creamier soup texture. Heavy cream or half-and-half will transform the broth into a creamy and decadent soup.

Vegetable Medley Boost

Add other vegetables like diced potatoes, peas, green beans, or corn to the soup for extra nutrients and flavour. Adding a variety of vegetables increases the nutritional value and adds textural complexity to the soup.

Matzo Balls or Dumplings Heartiness

Add matzo balls or homemade dumplings to the soup for a more substantial and comforting meal. Matzo balls or dumplings add a hearty and textural element to the soup, making it even more satisfying.

Serving Suggestions:

Crusty Bread or Rolls Warmth

Serve Homemade chicken soup with crusty bread, warm rolls, or biscuits for dipping and soaking up the delicious broth. Crusty bread or rolls are perfect for mopping up the flavorful broth and adding a comforting carbohydrate side.

Side Salad with Light Vinaigrette

Accompany Homemade chicken soup with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette dressing for a refreshing and balanced meal. Side salad provides a light and fresh counterpoint to the rich and comforting soup.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich Classic Pairing

Pair Homemade chicken soup with a classic grilled cheese sandwich for a timeless and comforting soup and sandwich combination. Grilled cheese sandwich is a classic and satisfying pairing with chicken soup.

Soda Bread Rustic Charm

Serve Homemade chicken soup with slices of hearty soda bread for a rustic and wholesome meal. Soda bread offers a hearty and flavourful bread option that complements the soup beautifully.

Apple Slices or Fruit Salad Palate Cleanser

Finish your meal with crisp apple slices or a light fruit salad after enjoying Homemade chicken soup for a refreshing and palate-cleansing dessert. Fruit provides a light and refreshing finish to the meal, balancing the richness of the soup.

FAQ:

Can I use chicken broth instead of making homemade broth?

Chicken broth or stock from a carton or bouillon cubes can be used in a pinch, but homemade broth will always have a richer and more complex flavour. Homemade broth is highly recommended for the best flavour, but store-bought broth is a convenient alternative when short on time.

How do I make clear chicken broth?

To make clear chicken broth, simmer the broth gently and skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface frequently. Avoid boiling the broth vigorously, as this can cloud it. Gentle simmering and skimming are key to a clear broth.

Can I add other herbs to the broth?

Yes, feel free to add other herbs to the broth like thyme, rosemary, or oregano during simmering to customize the flavour. Different herbs will impart unique flavour profiles to the broth, allowing for personalization.

How long does Homemade chicken soup last in the refrigerator?

Leftover Homemade chicken soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly on the stovetop or in the microwave. Reheat leftovers thoroughly to ensure food safety and best flavour.

Can I freeze Homemade chicken soup?

Homemade chicken soup freezes well. Allow to cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Freezing is a convenient way to store leftover soup for longer periods.

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