Filled with protein and vitamins, chicken soup is one of the best comfort foods around. When you’re feeling ill or under the weather, some homemade chicken soup will get you feeling better in no time. Best of all, making chicken soup at home is incredibly easy to do; in fact, it’s almost impossible to mess up! From preparing the chicken to adding the spices and veggies, these instructions can help ensure your homemade chicken soup will be delicious every time!
Add all ingredients into a large pot
It's important to have everything on hand before you start cooking so that you don't leave out any ingredients. In addition, make sure you have a large pot or stockpot ready so that everything can fit. There are many chicken soup recipes out there, and they often vary in terms of ingredients used, but here's what most chicken soup recipes tend to include: carrots, celery and onion for flavor; fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary (or both) for flavor; and low-sodium broth or water (and sometimes wine) for liquid.
Simmer until vegetables are tender
A simmer is where you have enough water in your pot that it’s on very low heat (just below boiling) and small bubbles are rising through it. Simmering is perfect for soups and stews because you want your ingredients to cook evenly and slowly, but not so fast that they get mushy or curdle (this can happen when you boil). To make sure you know when your pot has reached a simmer, use an inexpensive kitchen thermometer. They’re not just for baking anymore!
Strain soup through a fine mesh strainer
Strain your chicken soup through a fine mesh strainer into large bowls or mason jars. You can line your strainer with cheesecloth if you like, but it’s not entirely necessary. Plus, cheesecloth tends to have lint in it that gets stuck in your food, so it’s better just to use a clean mesh strainer. Make sure you press down firmly on top of your chicken meat as you pour soup through so you don’t lose any precious broth! Once all of your soup has been strained, use a ladle and dish towel to wipe off any residue left on bottom of pan. As long as no food is stuck there, it won’t burn while you prepare your other ingredients!
Remove meat from bones and add back to soup after cooling
Cooking raw chicken can be extremely dangerous if you don’t handle it properly. After cooking, let chicken cool before removing meat from bones and adding back to soup. This will ensure that any bacteria present on meat is killed by temperature change. For example, Campylobacter causes nearly half of all bacterial foodborne illnesses in Canada, according to Health Canada’s 2014 data.
Enjoy
Many chicken soup recipes are so loaded with fat, salt and preservatives that they’re actually harmful to your health. To keep your chicken soup healthy and safe for consumption, follow these three tips: (1) only use natural ingredients; (2) don’t add processed meats like bacon or cold cuts—add extra vegetables instead; and (3) never consume canned soups. Instead, opt for homemade soups—they’re generally easier to prepare, healthier and cheaper than their packaged counterparts. If you do buy canned soup at the store, read labels carefully and make sure each ingredient is one you recognize!
Healthy Chicken Soup Recipe
Wholesome, tasty, and incredibly affordable, chicken soup has long been considered the ultimate comfort food. But did you know that it’s also one of the healthiest comfort foods out there? That’s right! This not-so-humble bowl of deliciousness can help boost your immune system, improve your skin, and even help fight off those nasty colds and flus that seem to be going around every year. We’ll show you how to prepare this comforting dish in just 30 minutes or less so you can enjoy it whenever you like!
Essential Ingredients
To create a healthy chicken soup, use fresh ingredients and clear broth. Choosing fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, onions and parsley will give your soup rich flavor without adding excess calories. Chicken should be lean and skinless if possible; removing any visible fat will make it easier to skim off excess grease later. As for broth, choose low-sodium varieties that have been made without additives or extra sodium. If you’re trying to lose weight or lower your blood pressure, try to avoid soups with added sodium; depending on how much meat is in it, a serving of soup can often contain over 1,000 mg of sodium—about 40% of what most people should consume in an entire day!
Serving Options
To make more servings, simply increase everything by 50%! However, if you’re going to freeze some of your soup, I would recommend halving or quartering it—it freezes and reheats better in smaller portions. The recipe below makes 8 hearty servings. Make sure you have a big pot ready to go before making a large batch of soup! The ingredients are for about 5 quarts of soup, but don’t be afraid to triple them to serve 12 people. You can always divide leftovers into individual portions and freeze them so that you have healthy homemade chicken soup on hand when you need it!
Basic Directions
Place two cups of chopped carrots and onions in a large soup pot along with two tablespoons of minced garlic. Let simmer for about ten minutes, adding water if necessary to keep ingredients covered. Once your vegetables are soft and have taken on a little color, add four cups of chicken broth, one teaspoon of ground cumin, half a teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves and salt to taste.
Alternatives/Variations
Although most traditional chicken soup recipes are simply made with a chicken and various other ingredients, there are many variations available. As long as it contains at least some of these things: onion, carrots, celery, chicken and water; you’re on your way to a healthy meal that provides your body with plenty of nutrients. Most chefs recommend using homemade stock or broth in soup recipes to guarantee freshness and higher quality ingredients. Try adding some fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for an extra boost. Feel free to spice up your soup any way you like – but proceed with caution when it comes to salt! Adding too much salt will negate any benefits provided by other ingredients in a recipe.
Unsalted food is like garbage
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