Welcome to the ultimate one pot chicken soup recipe! Nothing beats a comforting bowl of the best chicken soup, especially on chilly nights or when you’re feeling under the weather.
This classic recipe is not only delicious but also easy to make, ensuring you have a warm and hearty meal, perfect for soup season.
One Pot Chicken Soup Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken
- 6 cups of water
- 2 carrots, spiralized
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions for this One-Pot Chicken Soup
Start by preparing your chicken. Remove any giblets and rinse the chicken under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil.
Carefully place the whole chicken into the pot and sear on all sides until golden brown. This step helps to enhance the flavor of the soup.
Once the chicken is browned, add 6 cups of water to the pot. This will form the base of your flavorful broth.
Bring the water to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let the chicken simmer for about 1 to 2 hours, or until it is cooked through and tender.
After the chicken is cooked, carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot using a slotted spoon. Place it on a cutting board and allow it to cool slightly.
While the chicken is cooling, add the spiralized carrots to the pot. These will cook in the flavorful broth, adding sweetness and texture to the soup.
If desired, you can also add other ingredients such as egg noodles, rice, or white beans to make your soup heartier and more filling.
Once the chicken has cooled enough to handle, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces using a fork or your fingers. Discard the skin and bones, leaving only the tender chicken pieces.
Return the shredded chicken to the large soup pot and stir to combine with the vegetables and broth. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.
Let the soup simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, garnish the soup with fresh herbs such as parsley or dill for an extra burst of flavor.
Tips for Success
- For extra flavor, consider adding a bay leaf or two to the pot while the soup is simmering.
- If you’re short on time, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or use chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken. Simply add them to the pot and cook until they are cooked through, this may take extra time when making a big batch.
- This recipe is highly customizable, so feel free to add your favorite vegetables or spices such as fresh parsley or fresh dill to suit your taste preferences.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for longer storage.
Elevate Your Broth
A key element of any delicious chicken soup is the broth. To achieve the best flavor, opt for homemade chicken broth or stock whenever possible. Simmering bone-in chicken breast or skinless chicken thighs in water with aromatic ingredients like sweet onion, carrots, and celery on medium heat for an extended period produces a rich and flavorful broth.
For added depth of flavor, consider incorporating bay leaves and chicken bouillon into the mix. If you’re short on time, using a pressure cooker can expedite the process without compromising taste.
Brighten with Citrus
Lemon juice adds a refreshing twist to traditional chicken recipes. Just a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice at the end of cooking can brighten the flavors and cut through the richness of the broth. This small addition enhances the overall taste profile, especially on a cold night when you’re seeking warmth and comfort. Whether you’re using leftover chicken, a leftover rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, or cooking from scratch, it’s a good idea to add a hint of lemon juice that can take your homemade chicken soup to the next level.
Versatile Rice Soup Variation
While classic chicken noodle soup is always a favorite, consider switching things up with a rice soup variation. Wild rice with its chewy texture, adds a delightful twist to traditional recipes. Cooked until tender, long grain white rice or wild rice creates a hearty base for your soup, providing a satisfying and wholesome meal. Whether enjoyed on a cold winter night or as leftovers the next day, this easy recipe offers versatility and nourishment in every spoonful at any time of year.
Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
The best part of this recipe is how easy it is to customize. The base of this flavorful soup can serve as homemade chicken stock that allows you to make a great soup with just a simple addition of pasta noodles.
Once you have made your own chicken stock, that is the only thing you will want to use for all of your soup recipes. It’s perfect when added to chicken stew, or cream of chicken soup.
When adding pasta, be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the noodle’s packaging to ensure you are making the most flavorful chicken noodle soup. When following the recipe card below, adding in the noodles when this recipe calls for adding carrots is a good time to ensure as much flavor as possible.
Nutritional Information and Tips
For those conscious of their dietary intake, homemade chicken soup can be a nutritious option. Packed with tender chunks of chicken, fresh vegetables, and flavorful broth, it’s a source of essential vitamins and minerals.
To make informed choices, refer to the nutritional information provided below. Additionally, consider portioning your soup into smaller portions for easy reheating and portion control. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, this classic comfort food is sure to be a hit.
By following this easy one pot homemade chicken soup Recipe, you’ll have a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Whether you’re craving a bowl of classic homemade chicken noodle soup or looking for a hearty dinner option, this recipe is sure to please. Give it a try today and see for yourself just how delicious homemade soup can be!
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Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe
This homemade one pot chicken soup recipe will warm you up and satisfy that comfort food craving any time of the year!
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 1 whole chicken
- 2 carrots
- Salt & Black Pepper to Taste
Instructions
Start by adding a whole chicken to a Dutch oven. It doesn't have to be a Dutch oven, you can use a stock pot if you would like. Add in about 6 cups or so of water, I have added more water when making this homemade chicken soup recipe in the past but this ratio seems to make the most flavorful chicken broth although a cup or two, either way, may not change the flavor too much. I then add spiralized carrots, you can do this with a potato peeler or use a spiralizer. This gives them a chicken noodle-type shape and it replaces pasta but you could add in some if you enjoy noodles in your Homemade Chicken Soup. Cook about 2 hours before adding carrots.
Notes
See the post for variations on this recipe with lots of great add-in ideas!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
2 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 183Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 148mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 21g
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It does look good. It would be nice on a cold day like today.