Mama Mandola's Hearty Chicken Soup
Warm up with this comforting bowl of Mama Mandola's Hearty Chicken Soup, inspired by the rich flavors of Italian home cooking. Made with tender chicken, a medley of fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, this soup is a wholesome and nourishing meal perfect for family gatherings or chilly nights. The recipe allows for versatility with ingredients and can be enjoyed with rice or pasta. Best of all, this soup is even tastier the next day, as the flavors meld together beautifully. Gather your loved ones and share the joy of this delightful dish for a true taste of home.
N/A
Servings
350
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Celery ribs
5 (Diced)
Medium carrots
4 (Peeled and diced)
Large yellow onion
1 (Diced)
Medium potatoes
2 (Peeled and diced)
Large green bell pepper
1 (Diced)
Italian plum tomatoes
1 (14 ounce can) (Chopped with juice reserved)
Hen
1 (5 lb) (Washed and cut into 8 pieces)
Fresh Italian parsley
1/2 cup (Chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (Finely chopped)
Water
6 quarts (N/A)
Salt
To taste (N/A)
Black pepper
To taste (N/A)
Instructions
1
Begin by dicing the celery, carrots, onion, potatoes, and green bell pepper into 1/4-inch pieces.
2
Chop the Italian plum tomatoes, reserving all their juices.
3
In a large 10-quart stockpot, combine the diced vegetables, chopped tomatoes with their juice, chicken pieces, chopped parsley, and minced garlic.
4
Pour in 6 quarts of water and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5
Heat the mixture over low heat, bringing the soup to a gentle boil. As it heats, skim off any foam that rises to the surface for a clearer broth, repeating this process 2 to 3 times as needed.
6
Once boiling, partially cover the pot and let it simmer for 2 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and the flavors to develop.
7
After 2 hours, carefully remove the chicken pieces with a slotted spoon and set them aside to cool.
8
While the chicken cools, use the back of a large cooking spoon or a potato masher to gently mash the softened vegetables at the bottom of the pot, merging their flavors into the broth.
9
Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones, then shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces to return to the soup.
10
For the best flavor, refrigerate the soup overnight and remove any solidified fat from the surface before serving.
11
When ready to serve, heat the soup and add cooked rice or small pasta, such as pastina, tubetti, or small elbow macaroni. For added richness, finish with freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Information
10
Fat
40
Carbs
25
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mama Mandola's Hearty Chicken Soup?
It is a comforting, wholesome meal inspired by Italian home cooking, made with chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs.
How many calories are in a serving of this chicken soup?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
What type of chicken is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for one 5-pound hen, washed and cut into 8 pieces.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer partially covered for 2 hours to allow the chicken to become tender and flavors to develop.
What vegetables are included in the soup?
The soup includes celery, carrots, yellow onion, potatoes, green bell pepper, and Italian plum tomatoes.
How much water is required for the broth?
You will need 6 quarts of water to prepare the soup broth.
What is the secret to a clearer broth in this recipe?
As the mixture heats, you should skim off any foam that rises to the surface 2 to 3 times for a clearer broth.
Should the vegetables be mashed?
Yes, after simmering for 2 hours and removing the chicken, use a spoon or potato masher to gently mash the softened vegetables into the broth.
Can I serve this soup with pasta or rice?
Yes, when ready to serve, you can add cooked rice or small pasta like pastina, tubetti, or small elbow macaroni.
Is it better to eat the soup the same day or the next day?
The soup is even tastier the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together beautifully.
How do I remove excess fat from the soup?
Refrigerate the soup overnight and remove any solidified fat from the surface before reheating and serving.
What size stockpot is recommended?
A large 10-quart stockpot is recommended to accommodate all ingredients and water.
How should the vegetables be diced?
The celery, carrots, onion, potatoes, and green bell pepper should be diced into 1/4-inch pieces.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Use one 14-ounce can of Italian plum tomatoes, chopped with their juices reserved.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides 25 grams of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 10 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the soup?
There are 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of cheese can be added as a finish?
You can add freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese for added richness.
How much garlic is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 finely chopped garlic cloves.
Does the recipe use fresh herbs?
Yes, it uses 1/2 cup of fresh chopped Italian parsley.
How many carrots are needed?
You will need 4 medium carrots, peeled and diced.
Should I remove the skin from the chicken?
Yes, once the chicken has cooled, remove the skin and bones before shredding the meat back into the soup.
What kind of onion is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using one large yellow onion.
How many celery ribs are required?
The recipe calls for 5 diced celery ribs.
What are the primary flavor tags for this recipe?
The tags include soup, chicken, Italian, comfort food, and hearty.
How do you prepare the potatoes?
The 2 medium potatoes should be peeled and diced into 1/4-inch pieces.
Can I use green bell pepper in this soup?
Yes, one large green bell pepper, diced, is a key ingredient in this recipe.
What seasoning is used?
The soup is seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Is this a good recipe for family gatherings?
Yes, it is a wholesome and nourishing meal perfect for sharing with loved ones.
What type of stock is created?
The recipe creates a rich, home-style broth using a whole hen, vegetables, and water.