Chicken soup is a classic comfort food that is beloved worldwide. It’s nourishing filling and incredibly tasty. The good news is that chicken soup is also easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients and steps you can have a pot of homemade chicken soup simmering on your stove in no time.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making chicken soup, from preparing the chicken to simmering the broth to adding veggies and noodles Follow these tips and you’ll be an expert chicken soup maker!
Step 1: Get Your Ingredients
The first step is gathering your ingredients, Here’s what you’ll need
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
- 2-3 quarts of water
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2-3 carrots, chopped
- 2-3 celery stalks, chopped
- Fresh parsley
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper
- Bay leaves (optional)
- Egg noodles or rice (optional)
Having the right ingredients is key for making a tasty homemade chicken soup. I recommend using a whole chicken rather than just breasts or thighs. The bones and connective tissue will give you a rich, flavorful broth as the chicken simmers.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Once you have your ingredients, it’s time to get prepping. Start by removing any giblets or organs from the chicken cavity. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry.
Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to cut the chicken into smaller pieces. Separate the legs and wings from the body. Cut the breast meat off the bone and slice or cube it. Don’t throw out the bones, wings, and back – we’ll use those too!
Put all of the chicken pieces, including bones, wings, and back, into a large pot or Dutch oven.
Step 3: Add Water and Start Simmering
Now it’s time to start building that homemade chicken stock!
Add enough water to the pot to just cover the chicken pieces. For a 3-4 pound chicken, you’ll probably need around 2-3 quarts of water.
Add a few pinches of salt, some pepper, the bay leaves if using, and any other seasonings you want. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, reduce heat to low. Let the chicken simmer gently for at least an hour, partially covered.
Step 4: Skim and Simmer
As the chicken cooks, fat and proteins will rise to the top of the broth. These can make your soup look unpleasant.
Use a spoon to skim off and discard the foam, fat and impurities that accumulate on the surface. Do this periodically during simmering.
Allow the soup to simmer for 1-2 hours total. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful the broth will become. Just make sure to keep an eye on the water level and add more if needed to keep the chicken submerged.
Step 5: Add Vegetables and Seasonings
Once the chicken has simmered for an hour or two, it’s finally time to add those vegetables!
Throw in the chopped carrots, onion and celery. Add the minced garlic and parsley too.
Let them simmer in the broth for 15-20 minutes until the veggies are tender. You want the flavors to mingle but the veggies to still have some bite.
Taste the broth and add any additional salt, pepper or other seasonings to your liking.
Step 6: Remove Chicken and Shred Meat
The next step is removing the chicken from the pot. Take out the larger pieces with tongs or a slotted spoon. When cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones.
Discard the skin and bones. Shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Step 7: Finish and Serve your Soup
Add the shredded chicken back into the pot and let it heat through.
If you want to make chicken noodle soup, now is the time to add egg noodles, rice or any other starch. Cook according to package directions.
Ladle the finished chicken soup into bowls. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Slurp up this soul-warming, homemade chicken soup! It’s delicious, nourishing and made with love.
Tips for the Best Homemade Chicken Soup
Follow these tips and tricks to craft the ultimate chicken soup:
-
For a clearer broth, strain the soup after cooking before adding noodles or serving. This removes excess fat and bits.
-
Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
-
Add other vegetables like celery, potatoes or green beans for variation.
-
For more protein, stir in cooked beans, lentils or grains.
-
Leafy greens like spinach or kale can be added right at the end.
-
Let leftovers cool completely before storing in the fridge or freezer. Reheat gently before serving again.
Common Chicken Soup Questions
If you’re new to homemade chicken soup, here are some common questions:
How long does it take to make chicken soup?
From start to finish, expect chicken soup to take 2-3 hours to make. Most of that time is hands-off simmering. Active prep time is only 30-45 minutes.
Can you use chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken?
Chicken breasts will work, but the broth won’t be as rich and flavorful. Opt for bone-in, skin-on breasts for best results if not using a whole chicken.
Is homemade chicken soup safe from bacteria?
As long as the soup reaches 165°F and is handled properly, it is safe. Discard soup that sits at room temp for over 2 hours.
Can you freeze and reheat chicken soup?
Yes, homemade chicken soup freezes very well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before gently reheating on the stovetop or microwave.
Satisfy Your Soul with Homemade Chicken Soup
When you’re feeling under the weather or just need something comforting, you can’t go wrong with homemade chicken soup. With its hot broth, tender chicken and veggies, and noddle goodness, chicken soup really does nourish the body and soul.
By following these simple steps, you can now make your own pot of chicken soup anytime. Customize it to your taste and enjoy this classic any day of the year. Get ready to impress your family with your stellar soup-making skills.
Reader Success Stories
-
Anonymous “My first chicken soup came out spectacular. I added potatoes, ginger, garlic, and chili pepper to give a more cultural taste. It reminds me of my grandmothers soup, Caribbean style. “…” more
StepsPart
-
1 Soak the chicken in cold water only if necessary. Rinsing chicken is not recommended; doing so wont remove all bacteria and can actually increase the risk of spreading bacteria if the water splashes onto other surfaces.[1] If the chicken has been sitting in blood or a commercial brine for several days, though, you can wash it by carefully soaking it in cold water. Cover the chicken in cold water and leave it in the refrigerator for no more than two hours.[2]
- After two or fewer hours, remove the chicken from the water, carefully pat it dry with clean paper towels, and cook it immediately. Be sure to clean the soaking basin and all surrounding surfaces with hot, soapy water.[3]
- 2 Check the internal cavity. Some chickens have their gizzards, neck, and/or other organs stuffed into their chest cavity. If this is the case with your chicken, be sure to remove these before proceeding, though its unlikely that you would accidentally add them to the soup.[4] Advertisement
- 3 Trim excess fat. Use a sharp knife, a pair of kitchen shears, or your bare hands to remove the loose, excess fat at the base of the chickens torso. If put in the soup, this loose fat becomes a gross surprise for whoever is unlucky enough to eat it.[5]
- 4 Remove the legs. Pull each leg out from the body and remove it with a sharp knife. Once removed, you may want to divide the thigh from the drumstick by cutting along the “fat line” that marks the joint between the leg and thigh.
- 5 Remove the wings. Similar to how you removed the legs, pull each wing out from the body and cut it away from the torso with a sharp knife. Cut the wing in half at the joint and discard the smaller “tip” portion.
- 6 Cut up the breast. Use a sawing motion to remove the breast from the ribs (for safety purposes, cut back to front). Spread the breast out on a cutting board and separate it from the bone by making lengthwise cuts along either side of its center. Double check each breast after cutting to ensure there are no remaining bones or fragments.[6]
- At this point, you may chop the breasts into halves, quarters, or as many pieces as youd like.
- 7 Place chicken pieces in a large stock pot. When youve cut as much chicken meat as youd like, simply add it to a large pot and youre done. If youd prefer, you can also remove the skin, though this isnt essential.[7] Advertisement
Part
Chicken soup 101
FAQ
What are the steps of making chicken soup?
- Bring chicken and water to a boil: Bring chicken, water, and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil in a large stockpot. …
- Add onions, celery, and garlic and simmer: Skim foam. …
- Remove breast, add carrots, and cook: …
- Remove rest of chicken and cut meat into pieces: …
- Add chicken to soup and season with salt:
What are the 7 steps to making soup?
- Choose one fat. …
- Rinse and chop one medium onion. …
- Choose one broth. …
- Choose one protein. …
- Choose one starch. …
- Choose a mixture of 2 to 3 cups chopped vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned). …
- Choose one or more seasonings, add to pot and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
What ingredients are used for chicken soup?
- 1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken.
- 10 cups water, or as needed to cover.
- 3 stalks celery with leaves, chopped and separated.
- 1 pound baby carrots.
- 2 onions, chopped.
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth.
- 2 cubes beef bouillon, crumbled.
- 1 packet chicken noodle soup mix.
What are the steps of making soup step by step?
- Step 1: Brown the vegetables, herbs, and spices. …
- Step 2: Cook the protein. …
- Step 3: Add your broth. …
- Step 4: Simmer remaining vegetables and grains. …
- Step 5: Taste, adjust, and garnish! …
- 32 Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes.
How do you make chicken soup?
You’ll start with a short list of ingredients, including tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs. The key to this recipe lies in the broth, which forms the soul of the soup. Whether you use store-bought or homemade stock, the result is a rich and satisfying base. Ready to embark on this culinary journey?
How do you make chicken soup from scratch?
An easy homemade chicken soup made from scratch. Grandma’s chicken soup recipe is easy to make using a whole chicken and vegetables. Add 1 whole raw chicken to a large stock pot. Add 1 quart chicken broth and then fill the pot with 4 cups waterto cover the chicken. Chop 1 large onion, 3 chopped celery stalks, and 5 chopped carrots.
How do you make chicken noodle soup?
Making classic chicken soup is so easy. You don’t need many ingredients, just a few simple ingredients, including chicken, broth, carrots, onion, garlic, celery, and seasonings. You can add noodles to make chicken noodle soup or add rice. We usually make chicken and rice soup because gluten free noodles tend to get mushy over time.
How do you cook chicken in a soup pot?
Combine the chicken and water in a large soup pot. Place the whole chicken in a large soup pot and add enough water to cover by about an inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Keep your eye on the pot as it comes to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and partially cover the pot as soon as the water is boiling.
How long does chicken soup take to cook?
Allow to simmer about 2 1/4 hours. Your goal is to make the chicken meat so soft that it falls off the bone. As your soup simmers, periodically check on it to ensure that the chicken is cooking nicely and to skim any froth off the top of the pot. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and a pinch or two of parsley.
How do you cook chicken thighs in soup?
Stir the soup and make sure the chicken is still covered by the soup. Add more water if needed. Put the lid back on the pot, and turn the cooking temperature down to low, and simmer for another hour. After cooking in the soup, the chicken will be fall off the bone soft and tender.