Hearty Chicken & Spinach Shiitake Mushroom Soup
Discover the comforting warmth and rich flavors of this Hearty Chicken & Spinach Shiitake Mushroom Soup. Packed with tender chicken, fresh spinach, and earthy shiitake mushrooms, this soup is not only delightful to the palate but also bursting with nutrition. Simmered to perfection in a homemade chicken stock, it serves as a complete meal, ideal for chilly evenings or when you need a nourishing boost. With the option to enhance it with a poached egg or a sprinkle of grated parmesan, this versatile soup can be adapted to suit your taste preferences.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Carrots
2 (diced)
Celery ribs
3 (diced)
Onion
1 (diced)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Garlic cloves
2 (chopped)
Shiitake mushrooms
6 ounces (sliced)
Baby spinach leaves
2/3 cup (none)
Nutmeg
to taste (none)
Salt
to taste (none)
Pepper
to taste (none)
Whole chicken
1 (none)
Onion
1 (chopped)
Carrots
2 (chopped)
Celery ribs
3 (chopped)
Bay leaves
2 (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the stock. In a medium pot, combine the whole chicken, one chopped onion, two chopped carrots, three chopped celery ribs, and two bay leaves. Cover with approximately 10 cups of water and bring to a boil. As the stock heats, skim off any impurities that rise to the surface. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 1.5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through. After cooking, remove the chicken from the pot and allow it to cool slightly in a separate bowl.
2
While the stock is simmering, prepare the soup base. In a medium pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion, cooking gently until the vegetables have softened. Stir in the chopped garlic and sliced shiitake mushrooms, frying until the mushrooms are tender and fragrant.
3
Once the stock is ready, strain the liquid and reserve 8 cups. Pour this stock over the cooked vegetables and mushrooms in the pan, bringing the mixture back to a gentle simmer.
4
While the soup simmers, retrieve the cooled chicken carcass and carefully remove the cooked meat, shredding it into bite-sized pieces. Add the shredded chicken back into the soup along with 2/3 cup of fresh baby spinach leaves. Stir until the spinach has wilted.
5
Finally, season the soup with a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve warm, garnishing each bowl with a poached egg or a sprinkle of grated parmesan, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Chicken & Spinach Shiitake Mushroom Soup?
It is a comforting and nutritious soup made with tender chicken, fresh spinach, and earthy shiitake mushrooms simmered in a homemade chicken stock.
What are the primary ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include a whole chicken, shiitake mushrooms, baby spinach, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and seasonings like nutmeg.
How do I prepare the homemade chicken stock?
Combine a whole chicken, chopped onion, carrots, celery, and bay leaves in 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil, skim impurities, and simmer for 1.5 hours.
How long does it take to cook the chicken stock?
The stock should simmer for approximately 1.5 hours until the chicken is fully cooked through.
How many cups of water are needed for the stock?
You will need approximately 10 cups of water to cover the chicken and vegetables for the stock.
How much stock is used for the final soup base?
After straining the prepared liquid, reserve and use 8 cups of the chicken stock for the soup.
How are the shiitake mushrooms prepared?
The shiitake mushrooms should be sliced and then fried in olive oil with garlic until they are tender and fragrant.
When should I add the spinach to the soup?
Add the fresh baby spinach leaves at the very end, after the shredded chicken has been added back into the pot, and stir until wilted.
What seasonings are used in this recipe?
The soup is seasoned with a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
What type of oil is recommended for sautéing the vegetables?
The recipe recommends using 2 tablespoons of olive oil to cook the diced carrots, celery, and onion.
How should the chicken be processed after cooking in the stock?
Remove the chicken from the pot, let it cool, and then remove the meat from the carcass, shredding it into bite-sized pieces.
What vegetables are used in the soup base?
The soup base uses diced carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and sliced shiitake mushrooms.
Are there any suggested toppings for serving?
Yes, you can garnish each bowl with a poached egg or a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese if desired.
How many bay leaves are required for the stock?
The recipe calls for two bay leaves to be added to the stock pot.
How much spinach is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2/3 cup of fresh baby spinach leaves.
Should I skim the stock while it cooks?
Yes, as the stock heats up, you should skim off any impurities that rise to the surface.
How much garlic is used in the soup?
The recipe uses two chopped garlic cloves added during the preparation of the soup base.
Is this soup considered a complete meal?
Yes, because it is packed with protein from the chicken and various vegetables, it serves as a complete, nourishing meal.
What is the preparation for the carrots and celery in the stock?
For the stock, the carrots and celery should be chopped, whereas for the soup base, they should be diced.
Can I adjust the salt and pepper levels?
Yes, salt and pepper should be added to taste during the final seasoning step.
How many ounces of shiitake mushrooms are needed?
The recipe requires 6 ounces of sliced shiitake mushrooms.
What is the purpose of adding nutmeg to the soup?
Nutmeg adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor that complements the earthy mushrooms and chicken.
Do I need to peel the chicken before making stock?
The recipe uses a whole chicken; the skin is typically left on during stock making for flavor and then the meat is shredded later.
How many carrots total are used in the entire process?
The recipe uses a total of 4 carrots: 2 for the stock and 2 for the soup base.
Is this recipe easy to follow?
Yes, the recipe is categorized with tags like 'easy recipe' and involves straightforward simmering and sautéing steps.
How many onions are required?
You will need two onions in total: one chopped for the stock and one diced for the soup base.
What happens to the vegetables used in the stock?
The stock is strained after cooking, meaning the original stock vegetables are typically discarded to leave a clear liquid.
Is this soup good for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as ideal for chilly evenings and provides comforting warmth.
Can I use different mushrooms?
While the recipe specifies shiitake for their earthy flavor, you could technically substitute other mushrooms, though it would change the flavor profile.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to season the soup with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, and then serve warm with optional garnishes.