Print

Cozy Chicken Soup Recipe Easy Homemade Healing Comfort Food

cozy chicken soup recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

A heartwarming, easy-to-make chicken soup recipe passed down through generations, perfect for comfort and nourishment during chilly evenings or when feeling under the weather.

Ingredients

  • Whole chicken or bone-in chicken pieces (3-4 pounds / 1.4-1.8 kg)
  • Carrots, peeled and sliced (3 medium)
  • Celery stalks, chopped (3 stalks)
  • Yellow onion, diced (1 large)
  • Garlic cloves, minced (3 cloves)
  • Fresh thyme sprigs (4-5 sprigs)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (a handful)
  • Bay leaves (2 leaves)
  • Water or low-sodium chicken broth (10 cups / 2.4 liters)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Lemon juice (from half a lemon)
  • Olive oil (2 tablespoons)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the whole chicken dry with paper towels and rub it all over with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place it on a roasting pan or baking sheet. Roast for about 35-40 minutes until golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
  2. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest. While it cools, chop carrots, celery, and onion. Mince the garlic.
  3. In a Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant but not browned, stirring often.
  4. Add garlic, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Cook for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
  5. Remove the chicken meat from the bones once cool enough to handle. Shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, discarding skin and bones. Keep the carcass for the broth.
  6. Add the chicken carcass to the pot along with 10 cups (2.4 liters) of water or low-sodium chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for about 30 minutes to extract rich flavor from the bones.
  7. After simmering, remove the carcass and bay leaves. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve if a clearer soup is desired; otherwise, remove bones and herbs carefully.
  8. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot. Taste the broth and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
  9. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
  10. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with extra parsley or freshly cracked pepper if desired.

Notes

Roasting the chicken first adds depth and richness to the broth. Do not rush the simmering step to extract maximum flavor. Skim excess fat if a lighter soup is desired. Fresh herbs like thyme and parsley are preferred over dried for best aroma. If soup tastes flat, a pinch of baking soda can balance acidity. The soup tastes better the next day and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, cozy soup, comfort food, homemade chicken soup, healing soup, easy chicken soup, roasted chicken soup, healthy soup

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/cozy-chicken-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-healing-comfort-food/