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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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
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.