Homemade Chicken Soup (Printer-Friendly Version)
Tender chicken thighs simmered with onions, carrots, celery, and herbs for a nourishing broth.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 -
10-12 bone-in skinless chicken thighs
→ Broth
02 -
3 quarts cold water
→ Vegetables
03 -
2 yellow onions, peeled and diced
04 -
8 large carrots, peeled and chopped
05 -
6 celery ribs, chopped
06 -
5 cloves garlic, minced
→ Seasonings
07 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
08 -
2 teaspoons salt
09 -
1 teaspoon black pepper
10 -
Juice of one lemon
11 -
2 bay leaves
→ Garnish
12 -
Fresh chopped parsley
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Place chicken thighs in a large stockpot and add 3 quarts of cold water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
02 -
While broth simmers, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in chopped carrots and celery, cooking for 10 to 15 minutes. In the last 2 minutes, add minced garlic, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Reduce heat if vegetables begin to brown.
03 -
Remove chicken from broth with tongs and set aside to cool. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into the pot containing the cooked vegetables.
04 -
Once cool enough to handle, shred the chicken using two forks or your hands and set aside.
05 -
Add lemon juice to the pot with broth and vegetables and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are tender. In the final 5 to 10 minutes, return shredded chicken to the pot.
06 -
Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Dark meat such as thighs, legs, and wings yield a richer broth and better texture. Chicken breasts can be used but require careful cooking to avoid dryness.
02 -
Cooking chicken and vegetables together creates a cloudier broth; this recipe strains the broth for clarity.
03 -
Store-bought chicken stock and shredded rotisserie chicken can be used to save time, adjusting seasoning as needed.
04 -
Raw chicken must simmer thoroughly for 30 to 45 minutes to ensure complete cooking.