The Comforting Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe Everyone Loves

Comfort wraps around you like a warm chicken soup on a chilly afternoon.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen drift through the air with each aromatic simmer.

Ingredients wait patiently to blend into something magical and healing.

Simple techniques transform ordinary vegetables and tender meat into liquid wellness.

Nourishing broth promises to chase away any lingering winter blues.

Hearty flavors will make you feel embraced by pure culinary comfort.

Each spoonful connects generations through a timeless, soul-warming tradition.

Dive into this recipe and let the healing begin.

Chicken Soup That Soothes With Every Spoonful

• Quick Weeknight Meal: Whip up this comforting chicken soup in under 45 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a hearty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Packed with vegetables and lean protein, this soup delivers a balanced meal that nourishes and satisfies with minimal cleanup required.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping herbs, adding different vegetables, or using rotisserie chicken for an even faster preparation.
• Kid-Friendly Flavor Booster: Mild herbs and tender shredded chicken make this soup appealing to children, introducing them to wholesome ingredients in a delicious format.

Chicken Soup Core Components

• Carrots, Parsnips, Celery, Onion: Aromatic vegetables that form the flavor base of the soup, adding sweetness and depth.
• Leek: Mild onion-like vegetable that brings a subtle, elegant flavor to the soup.
• Garlic: Adds a robust, pungent taste that enhances the overall soup flavor.

• Thyme, Tarragon: Fresh herbs that provide earthy and slightly anise-like notes to the soup.
• Bay Leaf: Adds a subtle, complex background flavor and helps round out the taste.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the soup's flavor profile.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb used as a garnish to add color and a light, clean taste.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that makes the soup hearty and nutritious.
• Chicken Broth: Low-sodium liquid base that provides the fundamental soup structure and additional chicken flavor.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables, adding a smooth, rich undertone to the soup.

Chicken Soup Cooking Directions

Step 1: Warm Up The Pot

Heat olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium warmth.

• Carrots
• Parsnips
• Celery
• Onion
• Leek

Gently cook these vegetables until they start to soften and become slightly translucent, around 5-7 minutes.

Step 2: Enhance With Aromatics

Sprinkle minced garlic into the pot and season with salt and pepper.

Stir and let the ingredients dance together for about a minute, allowing the garlic to release its incredible fragrance.

Step 3: Welcome The Chicken

Gently place chicken breasts into the pot.

• Thyme
• Tarragon
• Bay leaf

Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, creating a flavorful liquid base.

Step 4: Let The Soup Simmer

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then lower the heat.

Cover the pot and allow everything to gently simmer for 20-25 minutes.

The chicken will become perfectly tender and infused with herbal goodness.

Step 5: Shred And Reunite

Carefully remove chicken breasts from the pot.

Using two forks, pull the meat apart into soft, delicate shreds.

Return the shredded chicken back into the soup.

Step 6: Final Flourish

Stir in fresh chopped parsley and taste.

Adjust seasoning if needed.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with additional parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Chicken Soup Handy Suggestions

• Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easy shredding and a cleaner soup texture.
• Crush dried herbs between your palms before adding to release more intense flavors and aromatic oils.
• Add salt gradually and taste as you go, preventing over-seasoning and allowing natural ingredient flavors to shine.
• Swap or add vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or kale for extra nutrition and personal preference.
• Refrigerate leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, or freeze for 3 months without adding parsley until reheating.

Chicken Soup Leftover Storage And Heat Instructions

• Store leftover chicken soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days maximum.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Leave some space at the top for expansion.
• Pour soup into a pot and warm over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Heat until the soup reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick.

What to Match with Chicken Soup

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Grab a warm, rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and add delightful texture to each spoonful.
• Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a light Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the delicate herb flavors and cut through the soup's heartiness.
• Serve alongside Fresh Salad: Create a simple green salad with mixed lettuce, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette to balance the warm, comforting soup and add a refreshing contrast.
• Complement with Herbal Tea: Brew a soothing chamomile or mint tea to enhance the herbal notes in the chicken soup and provide a warming, relaxing experience.

Chicken Soup Creative Touches

• Vegetarian Comfort: Replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, using vegetable broth for a hearty meatless version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Low-Carb Wellness: Swap parsnips and carrots with low-carb vegetables like zucchini and cauliflower, creating a lighter soup perfect for ketogenic and diabetic dietary needs.
• Gluten-Free Healing: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking broth labels and using tamari instead of traditional seasonings for sensitive individuals.
• Instant Pot Speed: Convert recipe to pressure cooker method, reducing cooking time to 10-12 minutes while maintaining deep, robust soup flavors and tender chicken texture.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of chicken for this soup?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs or a whole chicken instead of chicken breasts. Just ensure the meat is fully cooked and tender before shredding.

• Is this soup healthy?

Absolutely! This chicken soup is packed with nutritious vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and celery, providing essential vitamins and minerals. The lean chicken adds protein, making it a wholesome meal.

• Can I make this soup in advance?

Definitely. You can prepare the soup ahead of time and refrigerate it for 3-4 days. The flavors will actually improve as they meld together overnight.

• How can I make the soup more filling?

Consider adding some cooked rice, quinoa, or small pasta directly to the soup for extra substance. These grains will make the soup more hearty and satisfying without changing the core recipe.

Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting chicken soup with homemade stock weaves nourishing warmth through each spoonful. Mediterranean herbs and tender chicken pieces create a healing bowl perfect for soul-soothing moments you’ll treasure.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 5 cups (1.2 liters) low-sodium chicken broth

Vegetables:

• 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 3 parsnips, peeled and sliced
• 3 celery ribs, sliced
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 1 leek, halved lengthwise, sliced, and rinsed
• 4 garlic cloves, minced

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 sprigs fresh tarragon
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup (15 grams) roughly chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. In a spacious cooking vessel, warm olive oil over moderate temperature, then introduce chopped carrots, parsnips, celery, onion, and leek to the pan.
2. Gently sauté the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until they become tender and slightly translucent, approximately 6-8 minutes.
3. Incorporate minced garlic, carefully sprinkle salt and pepper, and continue cooking for an additional minute to enhance the aromatic profile.
4. Carefully nestle whole chicken breasts into the vegetable mixture, then cascade chicken broth over the ingredients.
5. Delicately scatter thyme, tarragon, and bay leaf across the liquid surface to infuse deep, complex flavors.
6. Escalate heat to generate a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, covering the pot to trap moisture and flavor.
7. Allow the soup to quietly simmer for 22-26 minutes, ensuring chicken reaches complete doneness and vegetables achieve optimal tenderness.
8. Extract chicken breasts and use two forks to meticulously shred the meat into delicate, bite-sized fragments.
9. Return shredded chicken to the pot, gently folding it into the aromatic liquid.
10. Sprinkle fresh parsley throughout, taste and calibrate seasoning as needed, then ladle into warm serving bowls.
11. Garnish with additional parsley and serve immediately for maximum flavor and warmth.

Notes

• Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken to save time and add more flavor depth.
• Use homemade chicken broth for richer, more authentic taste compared to store-bought versions.
• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Add a splash of white wine during vegetable sautéing to enhance the overall flavor profile and complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg