Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe

Ingredients: – 1 whole chicken (or 4 bone-in chicken thighs) – 8 cups water or chicken broth – 2 carrots, peeled and sliced – 2 celery stalks, sliced – 1 onion, diced – 2 garlic cloves, minced – 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste) – 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh thyme sprig – 1 bay leaf – Optional: 1 cup noodles, rice, or diced potatoe

Prepare the Chicken Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry. If using a whole chicken, cut it into smaller pieces for even cooking.

Cook the Chicken In a large pot, add the chicken and water (or chicken broth). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the top. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add Vegetables and Seasonings Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.

Simmer the Soup Cover the pot and let the soup simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Shred the Chicken Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Shred the meat using two forks, discarding the skin and bones.

Optional: Add Noodles or Rice If using noodles, rice, or potatoes, add them to the soup now and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until tender. – 

Return Chicken to the Pot Add the shredded chicken back into the soup. Stir and let it simmer for another 5 minutes to combine flavors. – 

1. Serve and Enjoy Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.