How to Make Delicious Chicken Soup for a Quick Dinner

Chicken soup has long been recognized as a soothing remedy for the common cold and an easy-to-digest meal when you're sick or just need something comforting. This popular recipe, known as "comfort food" in many households, is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that can boost your immune system. Here's how to make a hearty chicken soup perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 3 pounds)
• 6-8 cups of water or broth
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 5 celery sticks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Pepper and salt to taste (optional)
• Potatoes (for extra texture), peeled and cubed
• Lemon slices (to garnish)

Method of Preparation

To prepare your comforting chicken soup, start by thoroughly rinsing the chicken under cold water. Pat it dry with paper towels to ensure no excess moisture gets into the pot.

In a large pot or Dutch oven, place the chicken and cover with water or broth. Bring this mixture slowly to a boil over medium heat before reducing the heat to low. Let the soup simmer gently for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it cooks, the more flavorful your broth will be.

While your soup is cooking, prepare all necessary vegetables by chopping and dicing them into small pieces that match each other in size so they cook evenly. Also, peel and cube potatoes if you plan to include them as part of your soup's ingredients.

Cooking Time

The total time required for making this delicious chicken soup is approximately 3 hours when including the initial boiling phase followed by slow simmering. However, once everything is prepared, most of that time will be spent on low heat where minimal intervention from you is needed.

Number of Servings

This batch of chicken soup typically serves about 6 people comfortably. Adjust ingredient quantities according to your family size or preferences.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Add the cleaned and chopped vegetables along with the garlic, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper (if using) into the pot containing the simmering chicken. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes to an hour until all ingredients are tender.
2. Once ready, use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the chicken from its broth carefully, allowing it to cool down slightly before pulling out meat from bones with your hands and shredding it finely into small pieces. You can also opt for using a fork if preferred; either way works well depending on personal preference.
3. Return shredded chicken back into the pot along with any remaining juices collected while carving. Taste test, adjust seasoning as necessary - adding more salt or pepper according to taste. If desired, add potatoes at this point too and cook until fully cooked through.
4. Garnish bowls of soup with lemon slices before serving hot.

Tips & Variations

For a creamier version, you could add heavy cream towards the end after removing the chicken. This will thicken up your broth and give it a richer flavor too! Alternatively, try adding some dried herbs like parsley or basil for extra zest.

In conclusion, chicken soup is far more than just a winter staple; it’s versatile enough to enjoy year-round. Whether you're looking for something simple yet satisfying on a chilly evening or want to treat yourself to a nutritious lunchtime meal packed with vitamins and minerals - this recipe caters perfectly well across different scenarios.