Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe: Tips and Tricks

Chicken soup is a comfort food that has been enjoyed for generations. It’s the ultimate remedy for colds, aches, and pains. Nothing compares to a steaming bowl of freshly made chicken soup. Making chicken soup from scratch can seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually quite easy and the results are worth it.

The key to making delicious chicken soup is to start with a good quality chicken. Look for organic chicken if possible, as it tends to have a richer flavor. You can also use a combination of chicken parts like chicken breasts, legs, bones, and wings to get the maximum flavor and nutrition. Once you have the chicken, it’s time to gather the other ingredients and start cooking. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make chicken soup from scratch that is sure to warm your soul.

How to Make Chicken Soup from Scratch

Introduction:

While canned or store-bought chicken soup might be convenient, nothing compares to a homemade version. Not only is it fresher and healthier, but it also gives you the opportunity to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making homemade chicken soup from scratch.

1. Gather Ingredients:

Before getting started, it’s important to have all the necessary ingredients on hand. For a classic chicken soup, you’ll need a whole chicken, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. You can also add other vegetables like potatoes, parsnips, and leeks, or spices like turmeric or cumin for extra flavor.

2. Prep the Chicken

First, prep the chicken by removing the giblets and excess fat. Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water. Place the chicken in a large stockpot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Add bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the chicken is cooked through.

3. Remove the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the pot and place it on a plate or cutting board. Let it cool, then remove the skin and bones. Shred the meat and set it aside.

4. Prep the Vegetables

While the chicken is cooking, prep the vegetables. Peel and chop the carrots and onions, dice the celery, and mince the garlic. Add them to the pot with the chicken broth and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until they’re soft.

5. Add the Chicken and Vegetables Together

Add the shredded chicken back to the pot with the vegetables and broth. Stir to combine and let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

6. Adjust Seasoning

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed. If it’s too salty, add more water. If it’s not flavorful enough, add more herbs or spices.

7. Optional Additions

You can add other ingredients to your soup for extra flavor and nutrients. Try adding frozen peas, corn, or green beans. For a creamier soup, add heavy cream or coconut milk. You can also add rice, noodles, or quinoa to make it heartier.

8. Serve and Store

To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh herbs or croutons. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

9. Tips and Tricks

To save time, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking a whole chicken from scratch. If you want a clearer broth, strain the soup before adding the vegetables and chicken back in.

10. Conclusion

Making homemade chicken soup from scratch might seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple and rewarding. With a few basic ingredients and some patience, you can create a delicious and healthy soup that your family and friends will love. So, next time you’re craving chicken soup, skip the canned version and try making it yourself!

Ingredients

Before we jump into the step-by-step process of making chicken soup from scratch, let’s first discuss the ingredients that you will need. The beauty of homemade chicken soup is that you can customize it to your preferences. Here are some basic ingredients and tools that you should have on hand:

1. Chicken – You can use a whole chicken, chicken pieces, or even bones for a richer broth.
2. Water – enough to cover the chicken completely
3. Vegetables – commonly used vegetables include onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and potatoes.
4. Herbs and Spices – Bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper are the basic seasoning for chicken soup but feel free to add or subtract according to your taste.
5. Cooking Pot – You will need a large pot 8-10 quarts size for this recipe.
6. Strainer – a fine-mesh strainer to remove the solids and the impurities.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have gathered all the necessary ingredients let’s dive into the recipe.

1. Prepare the chicken – If you are using a whole chicken, remove the giblets, then rinse the chicken inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut the chicken into pieces for easy cooking.
2. Sear the chicken – Heat your pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the chicken pieces. Brown each side for 2-3 minutes to give the soup some extra flavor. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
3. Saute Vegetables – In the same pot, saute the onions, garlic, celery, and carrots for about 5–8 minutes or until they become translucent.
4. Add the chicken broth and water – Add enough water to the pot to cover the chicken and vegetables completely. Add 2-3 Bay leaves and 2-3 sprigs of thyme to the pot, then bring everything to a boil.
5. Lower the heat and simmer- Once the pot comes to boil, lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 1-2 hours. This will allow the flavors to meld together and for the chicken to fully cook.
6. Remove the chicken – After 1-2 hours of simmering, remove the chicken pieces with a pair of tongs and set them aside to cool.
7. Strain the solids – Once the soup is done cooking, remove all of the solids with a fine-mesh strainer. Press down on the vegetables and chicken to get as much broth as possible.
8. Return the broth to the pot – Once you have the broth separated from the solids, pour the broth back into the pot.
9. Shred the chicken – Once the chicken has cooled a bit, shred it using two forks or chop it into small pieces and return it to the pot of broth.
10. Serve – Your homemade chicken soup is now ready. Ladle it into bowls and serve hot.

Conclusion

Making chicken soup from scratch is a great way to soothe the soul and nourish the body. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can create a delicious and healthy soup that your whole family will love. The best part is that you can tailor the recipe to your liking, adding whatever vegetables and spices you prefer. So go ahead, experiment with different flavors and enjoy a hot and comforting bowl of chicken soup.

Preparing the Ingredients

Once the chicken has been cleaned and chopped, it’s time to move on to preparing the rest of the ingredients for the soup.

Gather Your Vegetables

To make chicken soup, you’ll need a variety of fresh vegetables. Choose those that you like and have on hand. Common vegetables used in chicken soup include:

Cut the Vegetables

Chop all the vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces. Peel and chop the carrots into small pieces. Wash and dice the celery into small pieces. Peel and dice the onion and potatoes into small pieces. Finally, peel and chop the garlic cloves into small pieces.

Prepare the Herbs and Spices

To give your soup a delicious taste, you will need to add some herbs and spices. You can use a combination of dried or fresh herbs. Some popular herbs and spices used in chicken soup include:

Prepare the Broth

To make the broth, you will need to add some chicken bones and water to a large pot. Once the bones are in the pot, fill it with cold water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer for at least two hours.

Skim the Broth

As the broth simmers, a layer of foam will begin to form on the top. Use a spoon to skim it off and discard it. This will help to clarify the broth and make it clearer. Skimming the broth is an important step in making a clear soup.

Enjoy Your Homemade Chicken Soup!

Congratulations on making your very own chicken soup from scratch! It might have taken a bit of time and effort, but we hope it was all worth it in the end. Now that you know how to make this delicious soup, why not share the recipe with your friends or family? They’ll definitely appreciate it, especially during colder months. Don’t forget to visit us again soon for more fun and easy recipes that you can try at home. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!