Chicken Soup From Scratch Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Michele Kellett

If you want meat that has been poached but not cooked to death, remove the chicken from the broth after 30 minutes. When it is cool enough to handle, take the white meat off the bones, and throw the bones, skin and remaining meat back into the broth to finish simmering. Add the saved white meat, chopped, at step 8.

Liffey Thorpe

I'm surprised this calls for peeled onions to make the broth. Do not peel or stem the yellow onions! Cut them in half and throw the whole thing into the pot, paper skins and all. You will not believe the beautiful, deep gold color this will impart to your broth.

Cande

This, in my ooinion, is a very complex recipe! My mom, just recently passed at 97, taught me this:
Saute chopped veggies (onions, carrots & celery) in 2tbsp olive oil or butter) for 5 minutes
Add 6 cups water.
Put leftover chicken & bones in a strainer and submerge in pot. Simmer 1/2 hr.
Remove chicken from pot.
Add 2 cups noodles. Simmer 8 minutes.
Removr chrcken from bones and add back to pot.
Add salt (about 2 tsp) and pepper to taste.
Yum!
I like this, it's fast and delicious!

Annie

Important to remove any foam that will appear at the beginning of poaching the chicken. I would advise NOT cooking the noodles in the soup entirely, rather cook them separately until almost done, then add to the broth. These both will prevent cloudiness in your soup. In addition to carrots and leeks a nice addition is about a stalk or two of celery cut into the same sized dice as the carrots.
This is a very good, basic and old-fashioned recipe.

Elaine

The problem with this recipe is that the chicken has very little flavor. You get much better tasting soup and chicken meat if you start your stock with chicken bones (kosher butchers sell them), wings, and necks. Simmer for about two hours, then remove the bones and poach a chicken in the broth. Both the soup and the meat will be delicious.

You must also skim carefully when the soup first comes to a simmer, and always cook the noodles separately.

frazeej

No, you are definitely not the only one!!!Browning all ingredients (most especially the chicken, backs and bones) in the oven gives (IMHO) a much richer stock/soup than just dumping a raw chicken in a pot and simmering for a bit. And absolutely toss in all the yummy brown stuff from the browning pan!!

JimF from Sewell

Ike Levine

I have read this "new chicken soup recipe" a dozen times and I like some of the techniques (low temperature boil & separately cooked root veggies) but removing the addition of large amounts of leafy herbs (cilantro, parsley, carrot tops, dill, fennel leaves) to simmer in the broth after the removal of the chicken is a mistake. The phytochemicals that leach from the herbs is the source of much of the "Jewish Penicillin" effects (not to mention the wonderful flavors).

Am I the only one who browns the meat with onions first, before adding water?

When I make chicken soup, I like to brown the meat, bones and skin with onions and maybe carrots, before adding water. I like the taste of the browned meat and the yummy brown stuff on the bottom of the pan. Am I the only one that does this?

Bernice Glenn

The one thing that makes a difference is the chicken! Using a stewing hen as the basis adds the richness to the soup that young chickens cannot do! No matter how many herbs, vegetables and spices you add along with the fat, and no matter if you roast your onions first, if you can find a stewing hen among all the packaged versions at local markets, (or order one from the meat man) you will have the the makings for the best chicken soup ever, rich in old-fashioned flavor and goodness .

StaceyP

If you're planning on leftovers, don't cook the noodles in the soup. Cook them separately and add to individual bowls. Save leftover noodles separately, too. It keeps them from getting too soggy.

Ellie

This is almost identical to the recipe I've used for years. Like Anne, I skim the soup when it comes to a boil. I also use a technice I learned from James Beard. I wash the onions and leave the skins on which provides nice color to the broth and also stick a whole clove into each. This adds complexity to the flavor without overpowering.

rkgnyc

If you leave the chicken in the soup for an hour and a half, all the flavor will have cooked out of it and it will be tasteless. I remove the chicken after 40 minutes or so, and when it's cool enough to handle I remove the meat from the bones. Then I place the bones (but not the skin) back in the pot and continue cooking. Also, a lot of scum accumulates on the surface as cooking progresses--this should be skimmed often. For very clear broth, strain twice. I use cheesecloth in a chinois.

Gail

I always make chicken soup from the carcass of a roasted chicken, including a store-bought one. The meat chunks aren't impressive if we've eaten most of the bird, of course, but long cooking, plus attention to salt and flavorings, plus--a new discovery for me--Parmesan rinds added at some point, can make a really good soup beginning.

elaine stahl

The stewing hen (also called a soup chicken or heavy hen) is absolutely essential to flavorful soup. Most of the chicken sold in supermarkets is much too lean and young to make good soup. It is well worth finding a butcher or market that sells heavy hens as there is honestly no comparison in the final product. I go miles out of my way to get one, but it is well worth it!

Donald

I and my forebearers always added fresh dill to our chicken soup.

Pete

Nice recipe. As a kid , I loved when you take the large pieces of chicken out such as a breast or thigh, dry them, then brown skin side down in a little veg oil or scmaltz. Salt. Delicious. I called it boiled fried chicken.

Inger

Nutrition info reports only 1 gm of protein per serving. Since a 3 lb chicken has about 165 gms protein, it has to be a mistake. This 6-8 serving recipe would have 21-28 gms/serving.

Kathy Z

Best old-fashioned chicken noodle soup ever. Didn't have time to chill to excise the fat- that's probably what made it better. Also I added a chopped jalapeno for a little punch. This will be my go-to chicken noodle soup.

Lisa

I just made this. As other commenters recommended, I removed the chicken after about 45 minutes, removed the meat, and returned the bones and skin to the pot for additional flavor. It is SO good! Definitely has that "Jewish penicillin" energy.

J Zippin

I guess I grew up in more of a "peasant" family because we kept all the vegetables in the soup when we served it. An additional ingredient we like to add is fresh dill which really brightens the flavor.

Warren Bobrow, 6x Author, Cannabis Alchemist

Since I’m already using my fingers, I’ll separate the breast meat with my fingers too. More fun

Jay Janette

I made this last night and pureed the onions, carrots (round 1), celery, herbs and put it back into the broth (I don't like to waste anything). Then I added the leeks and carrots (round 2), made some more broth with better than bouillon and picked the chicken and put it back in. cooked fat egg noodles for 20 min. It was a banger! My teenagers went back for seconds and thirds. That almost never happens. Bon Appetit!

Rosemary loves cooking

I make chicken stock with fresh chicken thighs that I bone and skin, saving the meat for a different recipe, and vegetable scraps I have collected in my freezer. Carrot peelings, onion heels, parsley stems, celery discards, fennel stems to name a few. Cooking with enough water to submerge the ingredients. Gently simmer 1 hour or quick pressure cooking 30 minutes. Stain into a metal bowl that is set in a pot of ice water to chill. Never exactly the same but always delicious.

King Thos

The addition of leeks makes this amazing.

for mom, thanksgivign weekend

Could be saltier

Jean

I use a 5-gallon, nylon paint straining bag (available at any good hardware or paint store). Turn it inside out and place it in the strainer or colander. Not only does it work like a charm, it's washable/reusable (just rinse, place in hot dishwater) and is finer than cheesecloth. Placing the bones, etc. in the "right" side of the bag makes it easier to clean because nothing gets caught in the seams. 5-gallon size is large enough for any pot; you can hang it to drain every bit of broth.

P Moore

i haven't made chicken soup in such a long time. I've been craving some homemade chicken soup, especially now that the weather is getting cooler. The picture of this recipe looked so delicious, I thought I would give it a try. After reading several comments, I made a few modifications, the soup turned out better than I expected. It was delicious! It is now my go to recipe for homemade chicken soup.

katharita lamoza

my aunt thelma always made the absolute best chicken soup. unfortunately, i never got her recipe. but i do know some family tricks.this recipe is very similar. the variants: - dill is our main flavoring, with parsley and bay leaf, but no other herbs- onion is studded with cloves and boiled whole- carrots, celery, and parsnip, along with the onion, are discarded once broth is done. - fresh carrots and celery are added for the soup stagemy own contribution: use 2 chickens to make the stock!

Janet

My family always serves the veg from broth prep with a vinaigrette. We also cooked any noodles separately to keep the broth clear. We keep freezer bags for chicken necks, wing tips, backbones, giblets (not liver) from whole chickens and vegetable scraps. Everything, sautéed or not, goes into the broth pot. The cat or dog wait impatiently for any meat bits pulled from the bones.

S. Berry

My family recipe includes adding a cut up sweet potato. It’s possible that the parsnip adds a similar depth.

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Chicken Soup From Scratch Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should you cook chicken before making soup? ›

Yes, it is important to cook chicken before adding it to soup. Cooking the chicken beforehand ensures that it reaches a safe internal temperature, eliminates any harmful bacteria, and enhances the overall flavor of the soup.

What is the secret ingredient in soup? ›

It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings. The same is true with soups.

Is it better to make chicken soup with chicken stock or chicken broth? ›

We like using stock for soups where the liquid is the star, like chicken and dumplings, lemony turkey rice soup and French lentil and carrot soup. Since broth is thinner, it's better suited for dishes where you want other flavors to shine, like tomato soup, chili and slow cooker sweet potato soup.

Does chicken soup taste better the longer you cook it? ›

While broth and stock both get richer and richer the longer you cook them, the problem is that the chicken meat will dry out and get tough if you let it go too long. Vegetables will also have an unpleasant texture if you overcook them, turning mushy and falling apart.

Is it OK to boil raw chicken in soup? ›

You can cook the chicken at a high-enough temperature to kill bacteria by turning up the heat on the broth, but for a much safer and tastier method, brown your chicken first. Browning or searing the chicken in a separate pan is not only far more foolproof, but adds richness and extra umami to your soup.

What makes homemade soup taste better? ›

7 Easy Ways to Make Any Soup Better
  1. Brown or Sear the Meat. ...
  2. Roast the the Veggies. ...
  3. Mix up the Texture. ...
  4. Use Homemade Stock Whenever Possible. ...
  5. Put Your Cheese Rinds to Work. ...
  6. Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples. ...
  7. Add Fresh Herbs or Dairy When Serving.

Why do you put vinegar in chicken soup? ›

Whether it's white wine or vinegar, a touch of acid added to the simmering pot will create a richer finished product. That's because acid helps break down the cartilage and other connective tissues in the bones of the chicken, which helps speed up the formation of gelatin in the stock.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What not to do when making soup? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Soup
  1. Boiling instead of simmering. You want a small bubble or two to rise to the surface of the liquid every few seconds. ...
  2. Not using enough salt. ...
  3. Ignoring water. ...
  4. Overcooking the vegetables. ...
  5. Adding tomatoes at the beginning. ...
  6. Neglecting to garnish. ...
  7. Not trying a pressure cooker.
Nov 19, 2014

How can I deepen my soup flavor? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

What can I add to my soup to make it more flavorful? ›

Go Bold. A punch of flavor at the end of cooking can make your soup a standout. Mix herbs like parsley, thyme, and oregano, or spices such as cumin, coriander, and cardamom, into some olive oil, and let it infuse for at least an hour or two. Pour it over soup just before serving.

Can you drink chicken stock as soup? ›

It is healthy to drink chicken stock, provided that you made it yourself and are not using a store-bought version. If you want to drink a commercial product, be sure to check the label and ingredient list for nasty additives and sodium.

What happens if you use chicken stock instead of chicken broth? ›

“In general, stock and broth can be used interchangeably. However, there are times when it is more advantageous to choose one over the other,” Hill admits. Because stock is made from bones, it will infuse any recipe with stronger chicken flavor than broth.

Is chicken bouillon the same as chicken stock? ›

Chicken bouillon is a concentrated flavor enhancer available in both powdered and cube form. Think of it as chicken stock condensed into a convenient package. Chicken bouillon is made by dehydrating chicken stock. It gives you a concentrated product that can be easily stored and used when needed.

Should you cook meat before adding to soup? ›

If you are adding meat to a soup, sear or brown it in a sauté pan before you add it to the soup. This adds a deeper savory flavor to the whole soup. This trick is especially useful for things like chicken and sausage, which can sometimes get bland and rubbery while floating in a brothy soup.

Should chicken be browned before adding to soup? ›

While there seem to be as many chicken soup recipes as there are stars in the sky, one step they should all have in common is searing the bird in fat before adding liquid, which helps deepen the soup's flavor, according to Kardea Brown, host of Food Network's "Delicious Miss Brown." She told Kitchn that not only does ...

How to make chicken soup without overcooking chicken? ›

Cold-poaching the chicken breasts, then removing them until the end of the cooking process, guarantees a perfectly tender and juicy texture. Using stock reinforces the flavor of the broth, creating a more deeply flavorful soup.

Why blanch chicken before cooking soup? ›

Blanching chicken meat before using it to make stock or broth removes fat and other impurities. This results in a clearer healthier broth! You aren't cooking the chicken, just preparing/cleaning it.

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