Description
This homemade chicken soup recipe is a comforting and nourishing dish made by simmering a whole chicken with fresh vegetables until tender. It's a classic, soul-warming soup perfect for any occasion, packed with wholesome ingredients and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (3 pound) whole chicken
- 4 carrots, halved
- 4 stalks celery, halved
- 1 large onion, halved
- Water to cover
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules (Optional)
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all the required ingredients including the whole chicken, carrots, celery, onion, water, salt, pepper, and optional chicken bouillon granules.
- Prepare Soup Base: Place the whole chicken, halved carrots, celery, and onion into a large soup pot. Add enough cold water to cover all the ingredients completely.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered. Cook until the chicken meat is tender and falls off the bone, approximately 90 minutes. During simmering, skim off any foam that accumulates on the surface occasionally.
- Remove Chicken and Chop: Take the chicken out of the pot and let it cool enough to handle. Remove the meat from the bones, discard the skin and bones, and chop the chicken meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Strain and Chop Vegetables: Strain the cooked vegetables from the broth, reserving the stock. Rinse the soup pot, then return the stock to it. Chop the cooked vegetables into smaller pieces.
- Combine and Season: Add the chopped chicken and vegetables back into the pot with the stock. Warm the soup thoroughly over low heat and season with salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon granules if using, according to taste.
- Serve: Once heated through and well seasoned, serve the soup hot and enjoy the comforting homemade flavors.
Notes
- For chicken noodle soup, add cooked noodles to the pot just before serving.
- Skimming foam during simmering helps keep the broth clear and clean-tasting.
- Adjust seasoning to your personal taste preferences, especially if using chicken bouillon granules as they can add extra saltiness.
- Use fresh vegetables for best flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
