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Chicken Broth Soup

Homemade Chicken Broth Soup Recipe

Chicken broth soup is a flavorful liquid made from simmeringchicken, vegetables, and herbs in water. The long cooking process extractsnutrients, creating a rich and savory broth. The addition of carrots, celery,garlic, and thyme enhances its depth of flavor. This type of soup is widelypraised for being easy to digest, soothing, and packed with essential vitaminsand minerals.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken about 3-4 pounds or 4-6 chicken thighs/drumsticks
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 1 large onion peeled and quartered
  • 4 garlic cloves smashed
  • 1-2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 10 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth for extra flavor
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: A handful of parsley for garnish
  • Optional: 1 cup noodles or rice if you want to make it heartier

Equipment

  • Large Stockpot or Dutch Oven
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Ladle
  • Strainer or Fine Mesh Sieve
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Soup Spoon

Method
 

  1. Prepare the chicken: If you're using a whole chicken, place it in a large stockpot. If you’re using chicken thighs or drumsticks, just add them to the pot as well.
  2. Add the vegetables: Add your chopped carrots, celery, onion, and smashed garlic cloves to the pot.
  3. Add the water or broth: Pour in 10 cups of water (or low-sodium chicken broth if you prefer a richer base).
  4. Add herbs and seasonings: Throw in the thyme, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  5. Bring it to a boil: Turn your heat to medium-high and bring the broth to a boil.
  6. Simmer: Once it boils, lower the heat and let it simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This allows all the flavors to meld together.
  7. Remove the chicken: After simmering, carefully remove the chicken pieces from the pot. If you used a whole chicken, remove the meat from the bones and shred it.
  8. Strain the broth: Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the broth and remove all the solid pieces. Return the clear broth to the pot.
  9. Taste and adjust: Taste the broth and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
  10. Optional step (for extra heartiness): If you want to make your soup more filling, add some rice or noodles at this point and cook them in the broth for about 10-15 minutes until tender.
  11. Serve: Ladle the broth into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of color.

Notes

Chicken broth soup is incredibly versatile. You can add different vegetables like parsnips or potatoes for variety. You can also make it your own by tossing in some fresh noodles or a handful of rice. It’s perfect for customizing based on what you have in your kitchen. The key is to make sure that your broth is simmered for a long enough time so it gets rich and flavorful.