Hearty Homestyle Chicken Soup
Warm up your day with this Hearty Homestyle Chicken Soup, a comforting and satisfying dish that has won hearts at every cook-off. This recipe combines tender chicken with an array of fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs, resulting in a deliciously rich broth. Perfect for chilly nights or when you’re feeling under the weather, this soup brings the essence of home-cooked meals right to your table. Gather around for a family bowl of joy that warms not just the belly but the soul!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken broth
2 quarts (prepared from scratch following broth instructions)
chicken
1 (quartered (about 3-4 pounds))
carrot
1 large (peeled and chopped)
onion
1 large (peeled and chopped)
celery
1 stalk (chopped)
leek
1 (white and light green parts only, washed and chopped)
parsnip
1 (peeled and chopped)
parsley root
1 (with greens attached)
sweet potato
1 (peeled and chopped)
dill
1 handful (about 3-4 stems)
rutabaga
1 small (peeled and chopped)
cilantro
3 sprigs (optional for garnish)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
chicken for broth
2 lbs (wings and back, usually)
onion for broth
1 (with 4 whole cloves studded)
garlic cloves
3 (whole)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
leek for broth
1 (whole)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the chicken broth: In a large pot, combine 2 lbs of chicken (wings and back preferred), onion studded with 4 whole cloves, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 peeled carrot, 1 stalk of celery, 1 leek, and a bay leaf with 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer over medium heat for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.
2
After the broth has simmered for the designated time, cool it slightly and strain it to remove all solids. Set the broth aside.
3
In a large stockpot, bring the 2 quarts of chicken broth to a boil.
4
Add the quartered chicken to the pot and return to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and let the chicken gently simmer uncovered for about 1 hour.
5
After an hour, carefully remove the chicken from the pot. Once it’s cool enough to handle, debone the chicken and chop the meat into bite-sized pieces.
6
Return the chicken meat to the pot along with the rest of the vegetables including 1 large chopped carrot, 1 large chopped onion, 1 stalk of chopped celery, 1 washed and chopped leek, 1 chopped peeled parsnip, 1 chopped peeled and diced sweet potato, 1 small chopped rutabaga, and 1 parsley root with greens attached.
7
Add a handful of dill (about 3-4 stems), and if desired, a few sprigs of cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8
Let the soup simmer for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Skim any fat that has risen to the surface.
9
Serve the soup hot in bowls, garnishing each with an extra slice of carrot and a sprig of cilantro for an added touch of flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Homestyle Chicken Soup?
It is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines tender chicken with fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs in a rich broth.
What are the main ingredients for the chicken broth?
The broth is made using 2 lbs of chicken wings and back, an onion studded with 4 cloves, 3 garlic cloves, 1 carrot, 1 celery stalk, 1 leek, and a bay leaf.
How long should the chicken broth simmer?
The chicken broth should simmer for 1.5 hours over medium heat.
What parts of the chicken are best for the broth?
Chicken wings and backs are the preferred parts for creating the broth.
How do I prepare the onion for the broth?
The onion should be studded with 4 whole cloves before being added to the broth pot.
How many garlic cloves are required for this recipe?
A total of 3 whole garlic cloves are used in the broth preparation.
What is the first step after simmering the broth?
After simmering, you should cool the broth slightly and strain it to remove all solid ingredients.
How much chicken broth is needed for the soup base?
You will need 2 quarts of prepared chicken broth for the main soup.
How long do I simmer the quartered chicken?
The quartered chicken should simmer gently uncovered for about 1 hour.
What is the recommended weight for the quartered chicken?
The quartered chicken should weigh approximately 3 to 4 pounds.
When should I debone the chicken?
Debone the chicken after it has simmered for an hour and is cool enough to handle.
What size should the chicken meat be after deboning?
The meat should be chopped into bite-sized pieces before being returned to the pot.
Which vegetables are added to the soup with the chicken meat?
Added vegetables include carrot, onion, celery, leek, parsnip, sweet potato, rutabaga, and parsley root.
How should the sweet potato be prepared?
The sweet potato should be peeled and diced before being added to the soup.
Is parsnip included in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 peeled and chopped parsnip.
What part of the leek is used in the main soup?
The white and light green parts of the leek are washed and chopped for use.
How do I prepare the rutabaga?
Use 1 small rutabaga that has been peeled and chopped.
What herbs are used for flavor in the soup?
The soup is flavored with dill, and optionally, a few sprigs of cilantro.
Is cilantro mandatory for this recipe?
No, cilantro is optional and can be used for both flavor and garnish.
How long is the final simmer for the soup?
The soup should simmer for an additional 30 minutes after all vegetables and herbs are added.
Should I remove the fat from the soup?
Yes, it is recommended to skim any fat that rises to the surface during the final simmering stage.
How should the soup be served?
The soup should be served hot in bowls with extra garnishes.
What are the recommended garnishes for serving?
Garnish each bowl with an extra slice of carrot and a sprig of cilantro.
Is this recipe suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as perfect for chilly nights or when you are feeling under the weather.
Is this soup considered a healthy meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, homemade comfort food option.
What is the total number of ingredients used?
There are 19 ingredients total, including those for the broth and the main soup.
Does the recipe use parsley root?
Yes, 1 parsley root with greens attached is used in the vegetable mix.
How much dill is needed?
A handful of dill, which is about 3-4 stems, should be added.
Is a bay leaf used in the broth preparation?
Yes, one whole bay leaf is included in the initial broth-making step.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include chicken, soup, comfort food, homemade, healthy, broth, stew, and warming.