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 soothing chicken soup is made by simmering chicken bones and vegetables to create a nourishing, clear broth. It features tender shredded chicken and aromatic herbs, resulting in a comforting dish with a golden hue and a fragrant, hearty flavor. Perfect for long days or when feeling under the weather, it’s a simple, restorative meal that can be customized with rice, noodles, or greens.

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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

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 pounds chicken bones leftover carcasses or wings
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar helps extract minerals
• 2 large carrots peeled and chopped
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 1 large onion diced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
• 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
• to taste Salt and pepper

Equipment

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

Method

 

1. Place the chicken bones in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to help draw out minerals. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for about 30 minutes, skimming off foam as it appears and releasing a warm, savory aroma.
   
2. Remove the bones from the broth and strain through a fine sieve into a clean bowl, discarding solids. You should have a clear, golden broth that smells rich and comforting.
   
3. While the broth simmers, chop the carrots, celery, and onion into bite-sized pieces. Sauté the vegetables in a little oil in a separate pan until they just start to soften and release their sweet aroma, about 5-7 minutes.
   
4. Add the sautéed vegetables to the strained broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Let everything cook together for another 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the broth is fragrant with herbal and vegetable notes.
   
5. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it to the simmering soup. Stir in chopped parsley and thyme for a fresh herbal boost, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes to meld flavors.
   
6. Serve the healing chicken soup hot in bowls, garnished with extra herbs if desired. Enjoy the warm, comforting aroma and soothing texture of this nourishing dish.
   

Notes

Feel free to add rice, noodles, or greens to customize your soup. For a richer broth, simmer the bones longer or add more herbs.