Healthy Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe

Chicken soup is a beloved remedy for colds and flu symptoms. This simple yet comforting recipe provides you with the essential ingredients to create a nourishing chicken soup at home.

The key to making a delicious and nutritious chicken soup lies in using fresh, high-quality ingredients. To make this hearty broth, you will need:

• 1 whole organic chicken
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, sliced into rounds
• 4 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups of water or vegetable broth
• 3 tablespoons of salt (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• Several sprigs of fresh parsley for garnish
• Lemon juice for flavoring (optional)
• 1-2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil for serving

Cooking Instructions:

Start by preparing your ingredients. If you are using a whole chicken, it is advisable to remove the meat and bones beforehand to save time later in the cooking process.

1. In a large pot or stockpot over medium-high heat, add olive oil and let it heat up until shimmering but not smoking.
2. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic into your pot. Stir gently ensuring that all vegetables are coated with oil to avoid burning. Sauté these ingredients for 5-7 minutes until they become soft and slightly golden brown.
3. Once the veggies have softened, add in the chicken bones or carcass along with the chopped meat (if you've already removed them). Pour in the water or vegetable broth. Stir well to incorporate all components of your mixture.
4. Cover the pot tightly and bring the contents slowly to a boil on low heat before reducing the temperature down significantly so that only slight bubbling occurs—this is called a simmer.
5. Let this mixture simmer for about 2-3 hours, adding bay leaves every now and then to enhance flavor. During this time, periodically check if there are any impurities floating around; use a strainer to remove them from the soup.
6. Add salt, pepper, and bay leaves according to your taste preferences. Simmer gently for another hour.
7. After cooking for about 3-4 hours total, take out one piece of chicken off the bone. Use forks or tongs to shred the meat into smaller pieces. Return the shredded chicken back into the pot.
8. If desired, garnish your soup with fresh parsley and a dash of lemon juice which adds freshness and acidity that pairs beautifully with the rich flavors of chicken soup.
9. For those who prefer their soups less oily, consider using just butter or olive oil as an alternative to serve on top rather than incorporating it into the broth itself.

Serving Suggestions:

This chicken soup is incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways depending upon individual tastes. Here are some ideas:

• Hot & Sour Chicken Soup: For a more adventurous flavor profile, you could add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the salt while cooking to give your soup a kick.
• Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock for those who do not consume meat. Add extra vegetables like tomatoes or zucchini during preparation if desired.
• Lunch Bento Box: Pack this delicious soup into individual containers and combine it with rice, pickles, and other condiments to create a bento box meal suitable for lunch.

Nutritional Information & Health Benefits:

Chicken soup is not only tasty but also packed full of vitamins and minerals. It’s rich in protein which helps repair tissues within the body after illness or injury. The vegetables add fiber content that aids digestion, while chicken itself supports heart health thanks to its lean profile.

This homemade chicken soup provides approximately 200 calories per serving for a small bowl (1 cup). Depending on how much broth you drink vs. how much solid food, this value may vary slightly between servings.

Conclusion:

A well-crafted chicken soup made from scratch is more than just sustenance—it’s comfort food that heals both body and soul. With the right balance of ingredients and techniques, even beginners can achieve professional results in their kitchens. Try this recipe today to enjoy a bowl full of health benefits and delicious flavors!