How to Cook Delicious Chicken Soup from Scratch

Chicken soup is a staple when it comes to comfort food, and it’s perfect for a chilly evening. There’s nothing better than a warm bowl of chicken soup to lift your spirits and make you feel cozy. Cooking it from scratch may seem daunting at first, but it’s actually a simple process that anyone can master. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making homemade chicken soup that will satisfy the taste buds of your family and friends.

Gathering the Ingredients and Tools

The first step in making chicken soup is to gather the necessary ingredients and tools. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:

1 whole chicken, about 3-4 pounds
10 cups of water
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1 bay leaf
A large soup pot
A ladle
A wooden spoon

Preparing the Chicken

Begin by washing the chicken thoroughly and removing any giblets that may be inside the cavity. Cut the chicken into quarters, using a sharp knife.

Next, heat the oil in the soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken quarters and cook until browned, turning them occasionally. This should take around 10 minutes.

Cooking the Soup

Once the chicken is browned, add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery to the pot. Stir everything together and let it cook for around 5-10 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.

Add 10 cups of water to the pot, along with the bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer, covered, for around 1 hour.

Once the soup has simmered for an hour, remove the chicken quarters from the pot and set them aside to cool. Use a ladle to skim any foam or fat from the surface of the soup.

Now is the time to taste the soup and adjust the seasoning to your liking. If it needs more salt or pepper, feel free to add it. Once you’re happy with the taste, add the chicken meat back into the pot and let the soup simmer on low heat for an additional 10 minutes.

Serving the Chicken Soup

Now that your chicken soup is ready, it’s time to serve it! Ladle the soup into bowls, making sure to give everyone a piece of chicken. You can also serve the soup with a side of crusty bread or crackers.

Cleaning Up

Cleaning up after cooking is just as important as the cooking itself. Allow the soup pot to cool and then carefully discard the bay leaf. Once the soup is cooled down, store it in airtight containers and refrigerate it. Clean your kitchen area and all the utensils used.