healing chicken soup recipe

This healing chicken soup isn’t about fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. It’s about harnessing the humble power of homemade broth and simple veggies to nurture your body from the inside out. I’ve come to rely on it after long days or when I catch a cold, craving that warm, soothing sip that feels like a gentle hug.

Why This Soup Becomes a Weekly Ritual

It’s simple, honest nourishment. The scent of simmering broth triggers a sense of calm and care. Plus, it’s endlessly adaptable—add rice, noodles, or greens. It’s the kind of dish that reminds you slow, healing moments are worth making time for.

Breaking Down the Healing Ingredients

• Chicken bones: Rich in minerals, they form the nourishing base. Use leftover carcasses or wings for flavor.
• Apple cider vinegar: Helps extract minerals from bones, adding a subtle tang. Skip if you prefer plain broth.
• Carrots: Sweet and earthy, they bring a mellow sweetness that balances the broth’s savory depth.
• Celery: Adds a fresh, slightly peppery note and crisp texture to the soup.
• Onions: Layered with flavor and sweetness, they form the aromatic backbone.
• Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme): Brighten the soup with herbal freshness, essential for that healing boost.
• Cooked chicken: Tender, shredded bits that add protein and heartiness.

Tools of the Trade for a Soul-Soothing Soup

• Large stockpot: To hold the bones, broth, and vegetables during simmering.
• Fine sieve or strainer: To strain the broth for clarity.
• Sharp knife: To chop vegetables and shred chicken.
• Cutting board: A stable surface for prep work.
• Ladle: To serve the soup in bowls.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Healing Chicken Soup

Step 1: Start by gently simmering chicken bones with a splash of apple cider vinegar for about 30 minutes. This helps draw out all the good, healing minerals.

Step 2: Remove the bones and strain the broth through a fine sieve. You want a clear, rich base that smells like warm, savory comfort.

Step 3: While the broth simmers, chop fresh vegetables—carrots, celery, onion—and sauté them until they’re just tender and releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 4: Add the vegetables to the broth and let everything simmer together for another 20 minutes, until the flavors meld and the house fills with a cozy scent.

Step 5: Finally, shred some cooked chicken into the soup, toss in a handful of herbs, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, with crusty bread on the side.

Cooking Checkpoints & Tips for Success

• Broth should be clear and golden, not cloudy or greasy.
• Vegetables should be tender but not mushy, with a hint of sweetness.
• Chicken should shred easily and be moist, not dry or stringy.
• The soup should smell fragrant with herbal notes and a hint of acidity from the vinegar.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

• Not skimming foam, resulting in murky broth.? Skim off excess foam from the broth to keep it clear.
• Overcooked veggies turning to mush.? Add vegetables later if you prefer a firmer texture.
• Missing out on herbal flavor.? Use fresh herbs for brightness, or dried if you’re out.
• Over-salting the broth.? If broth is too salty, dilute with a splash of water or add a potato while simmering.

Healing Chicken Soup

This comforting chicken soup is made with a nourishing homemade broth, tender vegetables, and shredded cooked chicken, creating a clear, golden broth with a hearty, soothing texture. The process involves simmering bones for minerals, sautéing vegetables for sweetness, and combining everything for a warm, restorative meal. It’s a simple, adaptable dish that feels like a gentle hug in a bowl.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Comfort Food

Calories: 150

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 pounds chicken bones or carcasses preferably leftover wings or carcasses
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar helps extract minerals from bones
• 2 large carrots peeled and chopped
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 handful fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
• 1 sprig fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
• 2 cups cooked chicken shredded, optional for added heartiness
• to taste salt and pepper for seasoning

Equipment

• Large stockpot
• Fine sieve or strainer
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Ladle

Method

 

1. Place the chicken bones in a large stockpot, add a splash of apple cider vinegar, and cover with cold water. Bring to a gentle simmer, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface, and let it simmer gently for about 30 minutes. This step helps extract nourishing minerals from the bones.
   
2. Remove the bones from the broth and strain the liquid through a fine sieve into a clean pot, discarding any solids. You should now have a clear, golden broth that smells warm and savory.
   
3. While the broth cools slightly, chop the carrots, celery, and onion into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic for added aroma.
4. Add a tablespoon of oil to a separate pan and sauté the chopped vegetables over medium heat until they’re tender and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. The vegetables should release a sweet aroma and become slightly translucent.
5. Pour the sautéed vegetables into the strained broth and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Let it cook together for another 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the house to fill with a cozy scent.
6. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring to release their aroma. Then, stir in the shredded cooked chicken if using, and add fresh herbs like parsley and thyme.
7. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting until it’s perfectly balanced. Let it simmer for a few more minutes for the flavors to settle.
8. Ladle the hot, fragrant soup into bowls, garnishing with additional chopped herbs if desired. Serve with crusty bread for a comforting, nourishing meal.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can add rice or noodles during the final simmer. Always skim foam during the initial simmer for a clearer broth. Feel free to customize with your favorite herbs and vegetables.