Here’s a simple and delicious chicken soup recipe you can try at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (or you can use chicken thighs, breasts, or a combination)
- 2 onions, chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: If you’re using a whole chicken, remove any giblets and rinse the chicken under cold water. Pat it dry with paper towels. Cut the chicken into pieces, such as legs, thighs, wings, and breasts. You can also use bone-in chicken pieces for extra flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant. Then add the bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine with the vegetables.
- Add Chicken and Broth: Place the chicken pieces into the pot, nestling them among the vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring that the chicken is submerged in the liquid. If needed, you can add more water or broth to cover the chicken completely.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer gently for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Discard the bay leaves.
- Shred Chicken: Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Discard the bones and any skin.
- Return Chicken to Soup: Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the hot chicken soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables, such as potatoes, peas, or spinach. You can also add noodles or rice for a heartier soup. Enjoy your homemade chicken soup!
