classic chicken soup recipe

This isn’t about a perfect, pristine broth. It’s about the process—tending a simmer, skimming off foam, and building flavor slowly. It’s a recipe rooted in the messy, beautiful act of making something nourishing from scratch, driven by what’s in the fridge and a bit of patience.

Why This Chicken Soup Will Keep Calling You Back

It’s a recipe that adapts with what’s in your kitchen, forgiving and forgiving again. The slow simmer unlocks layers of flavor, making each bowl a small victory. Plus, that smell of simmering chicken and vegetables fills the house with comfort, pulling you back every time.

Breaking Down the Main Players in Your Chicken Soup

• Chicken bones and carcass: Gives the broth richness and depth—don’t skip this step.
• Onions: Builds sweetness and aroma; caramelize slightly for more flavor.
• Carrots: Adds sweetness and color; go for organic if possible.
• Celery: Provides a fresh, slightly peppery note—crucial for balance.
• Lemon: Brightens the broth with a zing—skip if you prefer a softer finish.
• Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme): Add at the end for a vibrant, herbal lift.
• Olive oil: A drizzle at the end enhances flavor—use a good one.

Tools of the Trade for a Rich Chicken Soup

• Large stockpot: To hold all ingredients and allow a gentle simmer.
• Fine sieve or chinois: To strain the broth for clarity and smoothness.
• Sharp knife: Chopping vegetables and chicken.
• Cutting board: Prep workspace for ingredients.
• Ladle: Serving the hot broth and removing foam.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Soup from Scratch

Step 1: Start by rinsing the chicken bones and carcass under cold water. Place them in a large stockpot.

Step 2: Add enough cold water to cover everything by a few inches. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, about 90°C (194°F).

Step 3: Skim off any foam that rises to the surface in the first 15 minutes. This keeps the broth clear and clean.

Step 4: Add roughly chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Let everything simmer gently for at least 2 hours, uncovered.

Step 5: Check occasionally, and add more water if needed. The broth should be rich, fragrant, and slightly gelatinous when done.

Step 6: Strain the broth through a fine sieve into another pot or large bowl. Discard the solids.

Step 7: Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Taste and tweak accordingly.

Step 8: Add shredded cooked chicken, chopped fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

Step 9: Serve hot, garnished with more herbs and a dash of good olive oil.

Cooking Checkpoints & Tips to Perfect Your Soup

• Broth: Look for a clear, golden liquid with a rich aroma. It should jiggle slightly when cooled.
• Vegetables: They should be tender but not mushy—test with a fork.
• Chicken: It should shred easily without resistance, and no pink bits remain.
• Taste as you go: Adjust salt and seasonings before serving, not after.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

• Not skimming foam, resulting in cloudy broth.? Skim foam often to keep broth clear and fresh-tasting.
• Over-salting at the end, making broth too salty.? Add salt in stages to build depth.
• Vegetables turning to mush or losing flavor.? Cook vegetables gently, avoid boiling rapidly.
• Adding dried herbs too early, losing their aroma.? Use fresh herbs added at the end for brightness.

Homemade Chicken Soup

This chicken soup is built on a slow-simmered broth crafted from chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs, resulting in a clear, flavorful liquid with a slightly gelatinous texture. The process involves skimming foam, tender vegetables, and shredded chicken, culminating in a comforting bowl with vibrant herbs and a bright squeeze of lemon. It’s a nourishing, adaptable dish that fills the house with warmth and aroma.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Comfort Food

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 set chicken bones and carcass rinsed
• 2 medium onions roughly chopped
• 2 large carrots roughly chopped
• 3 stalks celery roughly chopped
• 1 whole lemon for squeezing
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, added at end
• 2 tsp fresh thyme chopped, added at end
• 2 tbsp olive oil for finishing
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken for adding at the end
• to taste salt and pepper for seasoning

Equipment

• Large stockpot
• Fine sieve or chinois
• sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Ladle

Method

 

1. Place the rinsed chicken bones and carcass into a large stockpot, then cover with cold water, about 4-5 inches above the bones.
   
2. Bring the pot to a gentle simmer over medium heat and skim off any foam that rises to the surface during the first 15 minutes, using a ladle.
3. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Continue simmering uncovered for at least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to develop and the broth to deepen.
4. Check the broth occasionally, adding more water if needed, and let it simmer until it smells rich and looks slightly gelatinous when cooled.
5. Strain the broth through a fine sieve into another pot or large bowl, pressing gently to extract all the flavorful liquid. Discard the solids.
6. Season the clear broth with salt and pepper, tasting as you go to ensure balanced flavor.
7. Add the shredded cooked chicken, chopped herbs, and a squeeze of lemon to the hot broth, stirring gently to combine.
8. Finish by drizzling the olive oil over the soup for added richness and aroma.
9. Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish with extra herbs if desired, and serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add diced cooked potatoes or noodles after straining, simmering briefly to warm through. Adjust seasoning as needed before serving. The broth can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer for later enjoyment.

Madison Lane

Hi, I’m Madison Lane, the cook, recipe creator, and heart behind this kitchen. Food has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are of standing beside my dad while he cooked, watching him move comfortably around the kitchen, tasting sauces, and explaining why patience mattered just as much as seasoning.