There’s nothing quite as comforting as a bowl of warm chicken soup, especially on chilly days or when you’re feeling a bit under the weather. This classic chicken soup recipe is rich in flavor, packed with nutrients, and simple to prepare.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs), cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 cups chicken broth or water (or a mix of both)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or a few sprigs of fresh thyme)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or a handful of fresh parsley, chopped)
- Optional: 1 cup noodles, rice, or potatoes, diced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
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Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until soft and translucent (about 3-4 minutes). Add carrots and celery and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add Chicken: Place the chicken pieces into the pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Add the bay leaf, thyme, and parsley. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer: Cover and let the soup simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot. Once cool enough to handle, shred the meat from the bones and return it to the pot.
- Add Noodles or Rice (Optional): If using noodles, rice, or potatoes, add them now and cook until tender (about 10-15 minutes).
- Season: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy warm.
- This homemade chicken soup is perfect for a cozy dinner or to reheat throughout the week for easy, wholesome meals!
