Healing Chicken Soup Recipe

This isn’t just chicken soup—it’s my go-to for when I need a reset. It’s what I make when I’m feeling under the weather, or if I just want to slow down and nurture myself. The slow simmer unlocks flavors that store-bought broths can’t match, and the process itself is a quiet act of kindness.

Why I Keep Returning to This Healing Soup

It’s a simple act of care, simmered into a bowl. Each spoonful restores a little calm and reminds me that nourishment is about patience. When I need a moment of quiet or a gentle reset, this soup is always waiting.

Inside the Ingredients of Comfort

• Chicken carcass or thighs: Rich in collagen, it turns broth silky and nourishing. Use leftovers or buy bone-in for depth.
• Onions: Bring sweetness and aroma, and help clarify the broth. Swap with leeks for a milder note.
• Carrots: Add sweetness and color, with a slight crunch if not overcooked. Parsnips can be a subtle twist.
• Celery: Gives fresh, green notes and balances richness. Fennel can add a licorice hint.
• Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme): Brighten and lift the soup, fresh herbs are essential. Dried can work if fresh isn’t available.
• Salt and pepper: Basic seasoning, adjust at the end for clarity and punch.
• Lemon (optional): A splash brightens everything up, especially when serving.

Tools of the Trade for a Healing Broth

• Large heavy-bottomed pot: To hold everything and distribute heat evenly.
• Ladle: For skimming foam and serving.
• Fine mesh sieve: To strain the broth and remove solids.
• Sharp knife: To chop vegetables and shred chicken.
• Cutting board: To prep ingredients safely and efficiently.

Step-by-Step for Slow-Simmered Healing

Step 1: Start with a humble chicken carcass or thighs, and cover with cold water in a large pot.

Step 2: Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, skimming off foam and impurities for the first 20 minutes.

Step 3: Add aromatics—onions, carrots, celery—and simmer for another hour until the flavors meld and the meat is tender.

Step 4: Remove the chicken, shred the meat, and strain the broth to remove solids.

Step 5: Return the shredded chicken to the broth, add herbs like parsley and thyme, and season with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Let it simmer for 10 more minutes to let the flavors come together.

Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, with crusty bread or rice.

Healing Chicken Soup

This slow-simmered chicken soup uses a chicken carcass or thighs as its base, combined with aromatic vegetables and herbs to develop a rich, nourishing broth. The process involves gentle simmering until the flavors meld, resulting in a clear, flavorful soup with tender shredded chicken and a comforting texture. Perfect for when you need a calming, restorative meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: comfort food

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole or 2 chicken carcass or thighs preferably bone-in for flavor
• 1 large onion peeled and quartered
• 2 large carrots peeled and sliced
• 2 stalks celery trimmed and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 handful fresh parsley chopped, divided
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• to taste salt and pepper
• 1 lemon (optional) lemon for brightening, optional

Equipment

• Large heavy-bottomed pot
• Ladle
• fine mesh sieve
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board

Method

 

1. Place the chicken carcass or thighs in a large heavy-bottomed pot and cover with cold water, about 8 cups. Turn the heat to medium and bring to a gentle simmer, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface during the first 20 minutes.
2. Add the quartered onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Continue simmering gently for about 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the broth to develop richness. The house will fill with a warm, savory aroma.
3. Remove the chicken from the broth and set aside to cool slightly. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding the solids. Return the strained broth to low heat.
4. Shred the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding any skin or bones. Add the shredded chicken back into the broth, stirring gently to combine.
5. Add chopped fresh parsley and thyme sprigs to the soup. Season generously with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed. Let the soup simmer for another 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6. If desired, squeeze a splash of lemon juice into the soup just before serving to brighten the flavors. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and enjoy with crusty bread or rice for a complete, comforting meal.

Cooking Checkpoints & Tips for Perfect Healing Chicken Soup

• Foam should be clear, not cloudy, to ensure a clean broth.
• Meat should shred easily with a fork, indicating perfect tenderness.
• The broth should be aromatic, with herbs and vegetables brightening the simmer.
• Soup should be hot and steamy, not boiling vigorously, to prevent cloudiness.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

• Left foam in the broth, making it cloudy.? Skim foam regularly to keep broth clear.
• Boiling too hard, clouding the broth.? Reduce heat if broth boils vigorously.
• Overcooking delicate herbs, causing bitterness.? Add herbs later if broth becomes bitter.
• Cooking too fast, toughening the chicken.? Use a gentle simmer instead of a rolling boil.

This soup isn’t just about nourishing the body; it’s about carving out a moment of calm amidst chaos. The gentle simmering pulls out the deep, comforting flavors and soothes whatever ails you. Feel free to tweak the herbs or add a splash of lemon—make it yours. The real magic is in its simplicity and the quiet warmth it brings.

Himani Jawa

Hi there! I’m Himani and welcome to Val’s Recipe Box. This little corner of the internet didn’t begin with me.
It began with Val my neighbourhood aunt whose kitchen held more warmth than any fireplace ever could.