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A bowl of healthy chicken soup with fresh vegetables and herbs

Quick way to grow 5 healthy chicken soup recipes

This recipe provides a quick and healthy way to prepare five different chicken soup variations, perfect for a comforting and nutritious meal. It focuses on simple ingredients and efficient cooking methods to create flavorful soups.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 5 bowls
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Basic Chicken Soup Base
  • 1 whole chicken about 3-4 lbs
  • 4 carrots chopped
  • 4 celery stalks chopped
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • 12 cups water
Variation 1: Classic Noodle Soup
  • 4 oz egg noodles
Variation 2: Lemon Herb
  • 1 lemon juiced and zested
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
Variation 3: Spicy Mexican
  • 1 jalapeño sliced, deseeded for less heat
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
Variation 4: Ginger Turmeric
  • 2 inch fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 cup coconut milk
Variation 5: Asian Inspired
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sriracha optional
  • 2 scallions chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • large stockpot
  • Dutch oven
  • fine-mesh sieve

Method
 

Basic Chicken Soup Base
  1. Combine the whole chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, peppercorns, and water in a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  3. Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool, then shred the meat from the bones and discard the bones and skin.
  4. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding the cooked vegetables and herbs, and return the shredded chicken to the strained broth.
Variation 1: Classic Noodle Soup
  1. Add 4 ounces of egg noodles to a portion of the hot chicken broth and cook until al dente, about 7-10 minutes.
Variation 2: Lemon Herb Soup
  1. Stir in the juice and zest of one lemon and 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill into a portion of the hot chicken broth.
Variation 3: Spicy Mexican Soup
  1. To a portion of the hot chicken broth, add 1 sliced jalapeño, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, and one 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes; simmer for 10 minutes.
Variation 4: Ginger Turmeric Soup
  1. Whisk in 2 inches of grated fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and 1 cup of coconut milk into a portion of the hot chicken broth; heat until warmed through.
Variation 5: Asian Inspired Soup
  1. Stir 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, and optional 1 teaspoon of sriracha into a portion of the hot chicken broth, then garnish with chopped scallions.

Notes

You can freeze individual portions of the basic chicken broth for quick meals later. Adjust spice levels and herb quantities to your personal preference for each soup variation.