8 Easy Steps To Make Delicious Chicken Soup At Home

Chicken soup is made by saut ing vegetables and cooking chicken in a seasoned broth with herbs. Simmer the mixture until the chicken is tender, adding noodles or rice if desired. Finish with seasonings, parsley, and lemon juice for added flavor.

To make chicken soup, start by saut ing chopped onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil or butter until soft. Add minced garlic and ginger, then cook the chicken pieces until they are no longer pink. Pour in water to cover the ingredients and add bay leaves, thyme, and optional chicken bouillon cubes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 30-45 minutes until the chicken is tender. If using, add noodles or rice 10-15 minutes before finishing, and peas or corn in the last 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice if desired. Serve hot and enjoy.

Ingredients:

• Chicken 500 grams, bone-in pieces or boneless
• Water 6-8 cups
• Onion 1 large, chopped
• Carrots 2 medium, peeled and diced
• Celery 2 stalks, chopped
• Garlic 3 cloves, minced
• Ginger 1-inch piece, minced (optional)
• Bay Leaves 2
• Thyme 1 teaspoon dried or a few fresh sprigs
• Parsley A handful, chopped
• Salt To taste
• Black Pepper To taste
• Olive Oil or Butter 2 tablespoons
• Chicken Bouillon Cubes 1 or 2 (optional, for extra flavor)
• Lemon Juice 1 tablespoon (optional, for a tangy flavor)
• Vegetables 1 cup peas or corn (optional)
• Noodles or Rice 1 cup (optional, for added heartiness)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken :

• If using bone-in chicken, rinse the pieces under cold water. If using boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces. You can also use a combination of both.

2. Saut Vegetables:

• In a large pot, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Saut for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are soft and the onions are translucent.

3. Add Garlic and Ginger:

• Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

4. Cook the Chicken:

• Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they are no longer pink on the outside, about 5-6 minutes.

5. Add Broth Ingredients:

• Pour in 6-8 cups of water, or enough to cover the chicken and vegetables. Add the bay leaves, thyme, and chicken bouillon cubes if using. Bring to a boil.

6. Simmer the Soup:

• Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.

7. Add Final Ingredients:

• If using noodles or rice, add them about 10-15 minutes before the soup is done cooking. If adding peas or corn, add them during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Finish and Serve:

• Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs if using fresh. Stir in the chopped parsley and lemon juice if desired. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot.

• This chicken soup recipe is versatile, so feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your preferences. Adding a variety of vegetables or using different herbs can give the soup a unique flavor profile. Enjoy your comforting, homemade chicken soup.