Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 10-12 bone-in skinless chicken thighs
- 3 quarts cold water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 yellow onions
peeled and diced
- 8 large carrots
peeled and chopped
- 6 ribs celery
chopped
- 5 cloves garlic
minced
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- Juice from one lemon
- 2 bay leaves
- fresh chopped parsley
to garnish
Directions
- 1
Make your broth. Add the chicken thighs to a large stockpot. Add approximately 3-4 quarts of cold water to the pot and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for approximately 30-45 minutes.
- 2
Cook the vegetables (mirepoix). As the broth simmers, chop and prepare your vegetables. Heat one tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes or until the onions turn translucent. Add the carrots and celery to the onions and mix well to combine. Continue to cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring often. In the last two minutes stir in the minced garlic and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix well to combine and add the bay leaves. If the mirepoix starts to brown or burn, reduce heat to medium-low.
- 3
Strain the broth. After the broth has finished simmering and the chicken is cooked, remove the broth from heat. Use tongs to remove the chicken from the pot and transfer to a clean cutting board to cool. Carefully strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into the same pot as the vegetables.
- 4
Shred the chicken. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, use two forks (or your hands) to shred the chicken. Set aside.
- 5
Simmer. Add the lemon juice to the pot and return the soup to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are fully cooked. In the last 5-10 minutes, return the shredded chicken back to the pot.
- 6
Serve. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Chicken Soup Recipe
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About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate comfort food that feels like a warm embrace? This Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe is designed to deliver that hearty, soul-warming experience you crave, made easy from scratch with simple, wholesome ingredients.
This recipe shines by starting with bone-in skinless chicken thighs and cold water, a time-honored technique for building a rich, flavorful broth from the ground up. The generous amount of fresh aromatics like yellow onions, carrots, celery, and garlic are sautéed to coax out their sweetness, forming the aromatic backbone that truly makes this soup taste homemade and deeply satisfying.
You'll be greeted with an incredibly fragrant aroma as this soup simmers, promising a bowl of pure comfort. Each spoonful offers incredibly tender chicken, perfectly cooked vegetables, and a golden, savory broth. The addition of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens all the flavors, leaving a wonderfully balanced and wholesome taste. It’s the kind of nourishing meal that’s perfect for cozy nights, family gatherings, or whenever you need a little extra warmth.
While this recipe uses bone-in skinless chicken thighs for maximum flavor, you could substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred, though the broth may be slightly less rich. Feel free to add other root vegetables like parsnips, small diced potatoes, or even some leafy greens like spinach or kale in the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrition. Don't have fresh lemon? A splash of apple cider vinegar can offer a similar brightness and tang.
This hearty soup makes a complete meal on its own, perfect for a cozy family dinner or a comforting lunch. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping, or alongside a simple green salad.