Making a delicious and comforting chicken soup is a perfect example of culinary attempt that has been making through generations. From its humble beginnings as a simple broth simmered with chicken and vegetables to its diverse variations found in cuisines around the world, chicken soup remains a beloved dish cherished for its nourishing qualities and heartwarming flavor. In this detailed, we are going to experience the making of chicken soup step by step, from the ingredients selecting to simmering the pot of soup, making a masterpiece that will delight your taste and warm your soul.
Ingredients:
- 1 Chicken Breast (about 1-2 pounds)
- 5 cups water or chicken broth
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 table spoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
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Instructions:
How to make chicken soup
Take Vegetables and Seasonings:
Take sliced Carrots, celery, quartered onion, minced garlic, bay leaf, dried thyme, and a required pinch of salt and pepper to the pot. These vegetables and seasonings will give taste to the broth with flavor as the soup simmers.
Frying the Veggies:
Take a frying pan and heat oil over medium flame, start frying carrots, onion, garlic, celery stalks for 5 to 7 minutes, then add salt and pepper, stir everything frequently.
Prepare the Chicken:
Start with rinsing the chicken breasts under cold water thoroughly to remove any dust and impurities, and dry the chicken by using a paper towels, then place it in a large pot.
In a large soup pot, heat a little amount of olive oil over medium-high heat. After heating the oil add the chicken pieces and cook them brown from all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Once the chicken will browned, take out the chicken from the pot and keep it aside.
Add Liquid:
Now add bay leaf, thyme to the pot stir it for some time, now you can pour either water or chicken broth into the pot, make sure that the chicken is fully submerged. If using water, you can increase the taste and flavor by adding Chicken bouillon cubes or granules.
Simmer the Soup:
Place the pot over medium to high heat and let the liquid to a light boil. Once boiling start, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for, covered the pot partially, for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or till the chicken is fully cooked and turn tender.
Skim Fat and Foam:
When the soup start simmers, it will start create foam and fat rising to the surface on the soup. Now use a ladle or spoon to strain out any impurities that filled, make sure it will be a clear and clean-tasting broth.
Remove Chicken:
Carefully remove the chicken breast from the soup by using tongs and transfer it to a cutting board and let the chicken to cool slightly before using it further.
Shred Chicken:
Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, then use a fork or your fingers to shred the chicken breast from the bones (if it remain the bones). Discard the skin and bones, and then add again the shredded chicken breast to the soup.
Adjust Seasoning:
First taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if required and you can also add more dried herbs or spices to increase the flavor to your taste preferences.
Serve:
Ladle out the chicken soup into bowls and start garnish each serving with fresh parsley and black pepper if required it will give a fresh look to the chicken soup. Remove the bay leafs, serve the soup piping hot with alongside crusty bread or crackers for a complete and satisfying chicken soup. Adding some extra seasoning will give a different look and enhance the taste.
Tips and Variations:
- If you want a depth of flavor, consider about adding a parsnip, turnip, or leek to the soup along with the other vegetables.
- To make the soup heartfelt, add cooked noodles, rice, or barley at the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
- Want to give a touch of freshness, just squeeze a bit of lemon juice into each bowl of chicken soup just before serving.
- You can use leftover chicken soup , just need to be stored it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for longer storage.
FAQ for Chicken Soup
Is it okay to add pasta or rice to my chicken soup?
Absolutely! Pasta or rice can be added to chicken soup for a Heartfelt soup to your taste buds. Cook them separately and add them to the soup just before serving to prevent them from becoming overcooked and mushy. You can also try it with my Chicken noodle soup recipe.
How do I enhance the flavor of my chicken soup?
You can add herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, or a dash of paprika to increase the flavor of chicken soup. Adding vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery additionally will boost the flavor.
Is chicken soup healthy?
Chicken soup is mainly known as healthy, especially if you making it at home with fresh ingredients. It provides good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, but store-bought versions of chicken soup may contain higher level of sodium and additives, so homemade is usually better for health.
Can I make chicken soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, chicken soup can be made in a slow cooker, just simply combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low flame for 4 to 6 hours or on high flame for 2 to 3 hours till the chicken is cooked perfectly and it become tender.
How do I make chicken soup if I don’t have homemade chicken broth?
If you don’t have homemade chicken broth, you can use store bought chicken broth or bouillon cubes as a replacement just dissolved it in water.
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken with bones and skin?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be used in chicken soup and it is the best choice to the chicken soup. However, using chicken with bones and skin can give more flavor to the soup.
In conclusion, making chicken soup is a culinary journey that produces a comforting and nourishing dish which is perfect for any occasion. With it’s simple ingredients and a little time and patience, you can create a homemade masterpiece that will warm your heart and soul with every spoonful. Your taste buds will thank you.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 serving |
| Servings | 4 |
| Calories | 180 |
| Carbohydrates | 10g |
| Protein | 18g |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| – Saturated Fat | 1g |
| – Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g |
| – Monounsaturated Fat | 4g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 470mg |
| Potassium | 520mg |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Vitamin A | 150% DV |
| Vitamin C | 20% DV |
| Calcium | 6% DV |
| Iron | 10% DV |