Chicken soup made with drumsticks is the ultimate comfort food This hearty and flavorful soup is easy to make, nourishing, and customizable to suit your taste Here’s everything you need to know about making chicken soup with drumsticks.
Why Use Drumsticks for Chicken Soup?
Chicken drumsticks are the ideal cut to use for homemade chicken soup for several reasons
-
Rich flavor – The dark meat in drumsticks has more flavor than chicken breasts. The skin and bones impart delicious flavor to the broth as it simmers.
-
Collagen and nutrients – Chicken drumsticks contain lots of collagen, an important nutrient for gut health. The bones also add minerals like calcium to the broth.
-
Budget-friendly – Drumsticks are an affordable and economical choice. You get plenty of meat plus homemade broth for the price.
-
Easy to handle – Unlike a whole chicken, drumsticks are easy to work with. You don’t have to butcher a whole bird.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making chicken soup with drumsticks is simple. Follow these steps:
1. Prepare the Drumsticks
Rinse 6-8 chicken drumsticks under cold water and pat dry. You can use bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless. Bone-in and skin-on will result in the richest flavor.
2. Brown the Drumsticks (Optional)
Heat 1-2 Tbsp oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the drumsticks and brown for 2-3 minutes per side. This extra step adds ton of flavor.
3. Add Water and Simmer
After browning, remove drumsticks to a plate. Add enough water to cover the drumsticks along with seasoning like 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, bay leaves and other herbs.
Return drumsticks to pot, cover and simmer for 60-90 minutes. The longer you simmer, the more flavorful the broth.
4. Remove Chicken and Add Vegetables
Once drumsticks are cooked, transfer them to a plate. Remove meat from bones and shred. Return meat to pot.
Add vegetables like diced carrots, celery, onion and simmer 20-30 minutes until tender.
5. Finish and Serve
Right before serving, remove bay leaves. Add noodles, rice or pasta if desired, and simmer until just cooked through. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Garnish bowls of soup with fresh parsley or green onion. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Flavor
Follow these tips for maximizing flavor in chicken drumstick soup:
-
Sauté aromatics – Cook onion, garlic, and herbs in oil first to bloom flavor before adding liquids.
-
Brown the bones – Browning the drumsticks adds a deep, rich flavor that simmers into the broth.
-
Roast veggies – For a deeper flavor, roast veggies like carrots and celery before adding to soup.
-
Use a mix of bones/meats – Combine drumsticks with wings, necks, or backs for a complex broth.
-
Simmer longer – The longer you simmer, the richer the broth. Go up to 2 hours.
-
Season generously – Don’t be shy with salt, pepper, herbs and spices to really make the flavors pop.
Customize It Your Way
The possibilities are endless when customizing chicken drumstick soup:
-
Chicken noodle – Classic combo of egg noodles or pasta shells. Cook noodles separately.
-
Chicken tortilla soup – Southwestern flavors with corn, beans, cilantro and lime.
-
Chicken matzo ball soup – Mini matzo balls are perfect for Passover or anytime.
-
Chicken and dumplings – Fluffy biscuit dumplings take this soup to the next level.
-
Chicken and rice – Cook rice right in the soup or use pre-cooked rice.
-
Chicken and veggies – Endless veggie options – try zucchini spirals, kale, spinach, mushrooms.
-
Chicken pot pie soup – Mix in peas, carrots, celery and top with biscuit dough.
The options are endless! Use any vegetables, grains, beans or noodles to make it your own.
Storing and Freezing Chicken Drumstick Soup
Properly stored, chicken soup with drumsticks will keep for 4-5 days refrigerated. Here are some storage tips:
-
Let soup cool completely before storing in airtight containers.
-
For maximum freshness, store noodles/pasta separately from broth.
-
Refrigerate noodles in an airtight container up to 5 days.
-
Freeze broth for 1-2 months in portion sizes that make sense for your household.
-
When ready to eat, thaw soup overnight in fridge and reheat gently until hot.
-
Add cooked noodles or rice to individual portions as needed.
Freezing is a great way to save homemade chicken soup. It thaws beautifully for quick meals when you need them.
Chicken soup made with drumsticks is inexpensive, tasty and simple to prepare. The drumsticks provide lots of meat and a rich, flavorful broth. Follow the step-by-step method, then customize with your favorite vegetables, starches or seasonings. This nourishing soup makes fantastic leftovers and freezes well too. Making your own chicken drumstick soup from scratch beats any store bought version. Give it a try!
Flavorful Broth from Bones and Dark Meat
Here’s the deal: the magic’s in the bones. Simmer ’em long enough, and they release collagen and gelatin, turning your broth silky and delicious. The dark meat adds a juicy punch that chicken breasts just can’t touch. I made soup with breasts once—big mistake. It was like drinking flavored water. Drumsticks bring the oomph every time.
Groceries can hit hard, right? But drumsticks? They’re cheap and easy to find. You can grab ’em at any store without hunting around. I love that I can whip up something cozy without stressing my bank account. They’re perfect for those “oh crap, I need dinner” moments.
Suitability for Special Diets
Gluten-free? Skip the noodles. Keto? Drop the rice, add greens. It’s low-cal if you keep it light, and perfect for meal prep. I freeze batches all the time—saves me on hectic nights.
How To Make Chicken Soup At Home with Drumsticks
FAQ
Can you make soup with chicken drumsticks?
This delicious soup, prepared with a combination of chicken thighs, drumsticks, and fresh vegetables, is both nourishing and comforting.Jan 5, 2024
Are drumsticks good for chicken broth?
Yes, drumsticks are good for making broth. I have also used chicken necks which can also be cheap and make good broth.
Is drumstick good for soup?
Native to India, drumsticks have been a staple in traditional cuisine for centuries. One of the best ways to consume drumsticks is in the form of soup, which not only makes it easy to digest but also enhances its health benefits.
How long should chicken drumsticks boil for soup?
- To a large saucepan, add around 2 liters of just boiled water. Add the Hainanese paste or ginger, garlic cloves, onions and chicken stock cube. Season the water with salt and pepper. …
- Place the chicken legs/drumsticks into the saucepan and cook for 20-25 minutes (Image 2).
How to make chicken soup with drumsticks?
How To Make Chicken Soup With Drumsticks – An easy homemade method for making chicken stock or broth with chicken legs. Heat butter, olive oil or coconut oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the chopped onion and garlic into the soup pot and cook until starting to soften. Add the chicken drumsticks, salt and pepper.
Are drumsticks good for Soup?
Chicken drumsticks and thighs are excellent choices for soup because they stay tender during simmering and add a rich flavor to the broth. Bone-in pieces are especially ideal, as the bones help enhance the depth of flavor. While chicken breasts can be used, drumsticks and thighs create a more robust soup. Are drumsticks the same as chicken legs?
How do you cook chicken drumsticks?
Start by rinsing the chicken drumsticks under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels. Season them with salt and pepper to add flavor to the meat. To begin making the soup, heat some olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the seasoned drumsticks and cook until they are browned on all sides.
How long does chicken drumstick soup take?
A medium-batch soup made with several of those family-friendly staples, the chicken drumsticks. Veggies are cooked and seasoned in stages, then added to the soup, and can be swapped in and out to accommodate picky eaters. The whole thing takes just two or three hours, at least one or two of those hours being pretty hands-free. — Muttersome
How long do you cook drumsticks in a crock pot?
Pour in the chicken stock and add the herbs. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for about 45 minutes, or until the drumsticks are fully cooked and tender. Once the soup is ready, it’s time to serve it. Remove the drumsticks from the pot and shred the meat off the bones using a fork. Discard the bones and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?
I’ve sometimes used chicken wings, chicken thighs or a whole chicken instead, but the drumsticks are easier to handle and de-bone once cooked. There’s plenty of chicken meat to go around, so a kilo or couple of pounds will create a pot full of soup and enough chicken for a number of generous portions.