Description
Hearty Chicken Soup brings comfort and warmth to your kitchen with its rich, soul-soothing broth and tender chicken. Packed with nutritious vegetables and aromatic herbs, this classic dish offers a perfect blend of flavor and nourishment you’ll crave on chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, thinly sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated turmeric (or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric)
- 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
Liquid and Additional Ingredients:
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 12 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup pearl or Israeli couscous
- 2/3 cup frozen peas (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious stockpot over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling base for the aromatic foundation.
- Introduce minced garlic, diced onions, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Sauté until onions become translucent and vegetables release their fragrant essence.
- Sprinkle freshly grated ginger and ground turmeric, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify for approximately 30 seconds.
- Pour in rich chicken broth, carefully nestle whole chicken pieces, and add a blend of fresh herbs, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper.
- Gently incorporate couscous into the liquid, cover the pot, and allow the mixture to simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked and grains are tender.
- Extract chicken pieces from the broth, using two forks to delicately shred the meat into bite-sized portions.
- Return shredded chicken to the pot, fold in vibrant green peas, and let them warm through for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Conduct a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings as needed. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and serve immediately for maximum flavor and comfort.
Notes
- Swap couscous with quinoa or rice for gluten-free alternatives that maintain the soup’s hearty texture.
- Use bone broth instead of regular broth to boost protein and enhance nutritional value with extra collagen and minerals.
- Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the soup.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or dill right before serving to brighten the soup’s flavor and introduce a fresh, vibrant element.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 202 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg