Nothing beats a good chicken soup—warm, simple, and healing 🥣💛
Here’s a classic homemade version that tastes like it simmered all day.
Classic Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (3–4 lb) or 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs
- 10 cups water or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Optional: fresh parsley, noodles or rice
Instructions
- Start the broth
In a large pot, add chicken and water/broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Skim foam if needed. - Add veggies
After 20 minutes, add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and thyme. - Simmer
Cook uncovered 45–60 minutes, until chicken is very tender. - Shred the chicken
Remove chicken, discard skin and bones, shred meat, and return to pot. - Optional add-ins
Add noodles or rice and cook until tender. - Finish
Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley.
Cozy upgrades
- Lemony: squeeze fresh lemon juice at the end
- Healing: add fresh ginger & turmeric
- Hearty: potatoes instead of noodles
- Southern: drop dumplings instead of noodles
If you want chicken noodle, chicken & rice, slow-cooker, or Instant Pot, tell me what vibe you’re after 😊
