Growing up, my grandmother made the best chicken soup from memory! Unfortunately she passed away when I was in college, before I was able to ask her for the recipe.
It took me about ten years, but I finally replicated her soup and figured out why she never needed to write it down – it’s so easy!
I make a batch every Monday and heat it up in the evenings, adding all sorts of healthy foods that fit the season.
It’s a warm, simple meal to nourish your body, and eating something light before bedtime will help you sleep better. Better yet, it’s great to have on hand to eat when we feel like a cold is coming on!
Simple Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients
1 whole chicken – preferably organic, free range. You get a better fat ratio and better flavor
3 large carrots peeled or unpeeled (your preference) and cut into 1/2 inch to 1 inch slices
3 large celery stick cut into 1/2 inch to 1 inch slices; you may cook the soup with the leafy tops as well
1 large yellow onion peeled and cut in half
2-3 Tbsp pink Himalayan or Kosher salt. The Himalayan salt has more minerals. The amount will vary based on your taste.
Method
Remove chicken from packaging
Remove neck, giblets, liver from inside cavity if necessary
Wash thoroughly inside and out
Put chicken in at least a 12 quart stock pot
Clean workspace to remove any residue or liquids from the chicken
Wash carrots and peel (optional to peel)
Slice carrots and put them in stockpot
Wash celery sticks
Slice celery sticks and put them in stockpot
Wash onion and remove skin
Slice onion in half and put in stockpot with chicken
Cover all ingredients in the stockpot with water
Add the 2-3 Tbsp of salt
Bring to a boil uncovered
Once boiling, reduce heat to low to allow chicken to simmer
Put on cover and simmer for at least 6 hours for better flavor. You may simmer the soup up to 10 hours, but check the water level and add water if necessary. The longer you simmer, the saltier the soup will be.
A finished pot of soup ready to remove chicken and cool. Look for this nice golden yellow color.
Remove the chicken and place in a colander to drain. Once cooled, remove the meat from the bone and store in glass container (if possible). You can save the bones to make bone broth.
Cool the soup in an ice bath. Once cooled, store the broth with vegetables in a glass container, if possible.
Extra tips
If you can, prepare the soup the day before you need it. You can remove the chicken fat to use in other recipes. The soup will have better flavor the second day.
You can add carrot tops, potatoes, parsnips, and other foods when cooking, but these will alter the flavor and texture. Have fun experimenting.
We’d love your feedback on how this recipe works for you! Feel free to post comments or questions below.
