Description
Hearty chicken soup brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables across America. Packed with tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and aromatic herbs, this classic dish promises nourishment and satisfaction in every spoonful you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables:
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 parsnips, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery ribs, sliced
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 1 leek, halved lengthwise, sliced, and rinsed
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Herbs, Seasonings, and Liquid:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh tarragon
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 cups (1.2 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) roughly chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a large pot, warm olive oil over medium heat. Sauté carrots, parsnips, celery, leek, and onion for 4-5 minutes until softened but not browned. Add garlic, salt, and pepper, stirring for an additional minute to release aromatic flavors.
- Introduce chicken breasts, thyme, tarragon, bay leaf, and broth to the pot. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, allowing chicken to cook thoroughly while maintaining tenderness.
- Remove chicken using tongs and transfer to a cutting board. Allow to cool briefly, then shred meat using two forks into bite-sized pieces. Return shredded chicken to the pot and simmer for 1-2 minutes to absorb broth’s rich flavors.
- Extract thyme and tarragon sprigs along with bay leaf from the soup. Incorporate fresh parsley and taste, adjusting seasoning as needed. Ladle hot soup into bowls, garnishing with additional parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Enhance vegetable flavor by caramelizing them slightly longer for deeper, richer taste without burning.
- Choose bone-in chicken breasts for more intense flavor and extra gelatin that improves soup’s texture and nutrition.
- Swap chicken with turkey or tofu for diverse dietary preferences while maintaining similar cooking techniques.
- Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, remembering flavors intensify overnight in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg