Basic Chicken Soup is the perfect comfort food with tender pieces of chicken are simmered in a flavorful broth with carrots, celery, and a hint of garlic, creating a warm, satisfying meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Before we dive into the method, let’s go over the ingredients. This recipe is incredibly versatile, and you can adjust based on your preference. Here’s a list of the essentials for a basic chicken soup:
Essential Ingredients:
- Chicken: For the best flavor, use bone-in, skinless chicken pieces like chicken thighs, breasts, or a combination. The bones release collagen, giving your soup a rich texture.
- Vegetables: Classic vegetables like carrots, celery, and onion make the base of the soup. These add both flavor and texture.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves will enhance the depth of flavor, giving your soup that comforting aroma.
- Herbs: Fresh or dried thyme, parsley, and bay leaves are a must for seasoning. These herbs will infuse the broth with earthy and savory notes.
- Chicken Stock: Homemade chicken stock is ideal, but you can use store-bought chicken broth as a convenient option.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, these are essential for balancing the flavor of the soup.
Optional Add-ins:
- Noodles or Rice: Add some cooked egg noodles, rice, or quinoa to make your soup more filling.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the soup and adds a burst of freshness.
- Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkle of grated Parmesan can give the soup a creamy, savory touch.
- Chopped Greens: Add kale or spinach for an extra dose of nutrients and color.
Equipment You’ll Need:
- A large soup pot or Dutch oven
- A knife and chopping board
- A spoon for stirring
- A strainer (if you prefer to remove bones)
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken Soup
Use Bone-In Chicken: Using bone-in chicken, especially thighs or a whole chicken, enhances the flavor and richness of the broth. Bones release collagen, which gives the soup its heartwarming, comforting texture.
Don’t Rush the Simmering Process: Allowing the soup to simmer slowly is key to extracting all the flavors from the chicken and vegetables. Don’t rush the process by cranking up the heat.
Skim the Broth: Skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface during the simmering process will give you a cleaner, clearer broth.
Customize the Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with other herbs like rosemary, dill, or sage, depending on your taste preferences. A little splash of apple cider vinegar can also brighten the flavors.
Make Ahead: Chicken soup tastes even better the next day once the flavors have melded together, making it perfect for meal prepping.
Variations of Basic Chicken Soup
While the basic chicken soup is delicious on its own, you can easily switch things up depending on your dietary needs or what you have on hand.
Spicy Chicken Soup: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño for a spicy kick. You can also use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky flavor.
Creamy Chicken Soup: To make a creamy version of this soup, add a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk toward the end of cooking. Blend a portion of the soup for a smooth, velvety texture.
Vegetable Chicken Soup: Amp up the vegetable content by adding zucchini, corn, peas, or any other vegetable of your choice.
Low-Carb Chicken Soup: Skip the noodles or rice and add cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly alternative.
Asian-Inspired Chicken Soup: Add ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil to create an Asian-inspired broth. You can also add sliced mushrooms for additional flavor.
How to Serve Basic Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Here are a few ideas:
- Classic Comfort: Serve it in a bowl with a side of crusty bread or crackers for dipping. The bread will soak up the delicious broth, making each bite even better.
- With a Salad: Pair your soup with a fresh, crisp salad. A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette will provide a refreshing contrast to the warm soup.
- As a Meal: If you’ve added noodles, rice, or extra veggies, this soup can easily stand alone as a hearty meal. For extra protein, serve it with a side of grilled chicken or a hard-boiled egg.
How to Store Chicken Soup
If you have leftovers, chicken soup is perfect for storing and enjoying again later. Here’s how to store it properly:
- Refrigerate: Allow the soup to cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. It can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze: Chicken soup also freezes well! Store it in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. When frozen, it will last up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and heat it up on the stove.
- Separate Broth from Noodles: If you’ve added noodles to the soup, it’s best to store the broth and noodles separately. Noodles can become mushy when stored in the broth.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe? While bone-in chicken gives the broth more flavor and richness, you can certainly use boneless chicken if you prefer. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as boneless chicken cooks faster.
Can I make chicken soup without stock? Yes, you can make chicken soup with water instead of stock. However, the flavor will be milder. You can enhance the broth with more herbs and seasonings to compensate.
Can I add dairy to chicken soup? Absolutely! You can add a splash of cream, milk, or even grated cheese for a creamier version of the soup.
What should I serve with chicken soup? Chicken soup pairs well with a variety of sides, such as crusty bread, garlic toast, or a fresh salad. You can also serve it alongside sandwiches for a full meal.
Basic Chicken Soup
Basic Chicken Soup is the perfect comfort food with tender pieces of chicken are simmered in a flavorful broth with carrots, celery, and a hint of garlic, creating a warm, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 250g chicken (bone-in)
- 1 carrot, chopped
- ½ cup sweet corn
- 1 potato (optional)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (cauliflower, celery, cabbage, etc. – optional)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (great for fighting flu!)
- 1 tbsp ginger, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ghee, oil, or butter
- 1 small bay leaf
- 4 peppercorns
- 2-inch cinnamon stick
- Salt to taste
- Pepper powder to taste
- Boiled noodles (optional)
Instructions
- In a pot or pressure cooker, add the chicken, potatoes, mixed vegetables, and 3 cups of water. Tear the bay leaf and break the cinnamon stick, adding them along with the peppercorns. Pressure cook for 3 whistles or simmer until the chicken is tender and falls off the bone.
- Set the chicken aside, shred the meat, and discard the bones.
- In a deep pan, heat the ghee (or oil/butter) and sauté ginger and garlic for a minute. Add carrots and sweet corn, frying them for another minute.
- Strain the chicken stock into the pan and bring it to a boil. Let it cook until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the shredded chicken, salt, and pepper. Turn off the heat and let the soup cool slightly before squeezing in fresh lemon juice for a zing!
- Serve the soup warm, and if desired, add some boiled noodles for extra heartiness.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 340Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 238mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 20g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Conclusion
Basic chicken soup is a timeless recipe that’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re making it to soothe a sore throat, nourish your body, or simply enjoy a comforting meal, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Remember, the beauty of chicken soup is in its simplicity – so feel free to experiment with flavors and ingredients that make it your own. Enjoy every heartwarming bowl of goodness!
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