How to Make Simple Yet Delicious Homemade Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is the ultimate comfort food When you’re feeling under the weather or just need something warm and nourishing, homemade chicken soup really hits the spot The good news is chicken soup is one of the easiest soups to make at home. With a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can have hearty, flavorful chicken soup ready in under an hour.

In this article we’ll walk through the basics of how to make homemade chicken soup from choosing the right ingredients to easy cooking methods. We’ll also share tips for maximizing flavor, proper storage, and fun ways to customize your soup. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying wholesome bowls of homemade chicken soup in no time.

Step 1: Choose Your Main Ingredients

Chicken soup starts with chicken and broth. For the chicken, opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or a whole cut-up chicken. The bones and skin add flavor, collagen, and body to the broth as it simmers. Using a mix of white and dark meat gives you tender, juicy pieces of chicken in the finished soup.

For the broth you can use water, but chicken or vegetable broth lends more flavor. Low-sodium broth lets the flavors of the other ingredients shine. Canned or boxed broth offers convenience, or you can make your own to control the salt level.

Step 2: Prep Your Aromatics

The veggies known as aromatics—onion, celery, carrot—build a flavor base for chicken soup. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Slice the celery and carrot thinly on the bias. The long, thin slices will melt into the broth. You can stick to this classic trio or add other veggies you enjoy like potatoes, spinach, or green beans.

Step 3: Brown the Chicken

Browning the chicken before simmering it transforms the flavor of the soup. Pat the chicken dry and season all over with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the chicken skin-side down and cook undisturbed until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Simmer the Broth

Return the browned chicken to the pot along with the broth, aromatics, and any other veggies. Add herbs like bay leaves, parsley, thyme, or oregano. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is very tender, about 45 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the top.

Step 5: Shred the Chicken

Once cooled, remove the chicken from the bones and shred or chop into bite-size pieces. Discard the skin and bones. The collagen from the bones has enriched the broth while cooking.

Step 6: Finish the Soup

Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Simmer a few minutes more to heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. You can add noodles, rice, or other mix-ins in the last 5 minutes of simmering so they’re perfectly cooked. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs. Enjoy!

Tips for Maximizing Flavor

• Sear the chicken – Browning the chicken builds incredible flavor. Be sure to let the pieces cook undisturbed so they properly brown.

• Simmer the bones – Chicken bones impart collagen, gelatin, and minerals that give the broth body and richness.

• Sauté the aromatics – Cook the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic briefly before adding liquid. This deepens their flavor.

• Use fresh herbs – Herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf infuse the broth with aroma and taste.

• Add acid – A splash of lemon juice or vinegar at the end brightens the flavors.

• Season thoughtfully – Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and herbs until the flavors pop.

Storage Tips for Leftover Chicken Soup

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.

• Freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags up to 4 months.

• Portion into single servings before freezing for easy reheating.

• Cool soup completely before refrigerating or freezing to prevent moisture loss.

• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.

Fun Ways to Customize Your Chicken Soup

One of the joys of homemade chicken soup is how versatile it is. Try these fun add-ins:

• Noodles – Egg noodles, pasta shells, orzo, ramen noodles

• Rice – White or brown rice, wild rice, riced cauliflower

• Veggies – Spinach, kale, potatoes, zucchini, peas, corn

• Beans – White beans, chickpeas, lentils, black beans

• Meat – Shredded rotisserie chicken, sausage, beef

• Dumplings – Light and fluffy homemade dumplings

• Tortellini – Cheese-filled or meat tortellini

• Spices – Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric

With a little creativity, you can reinvent chicken soup in endless comforting, nourishing ways. Master this easy homemade chicken soup recipe, then start experimenting to create your signature version.