{Mama’s Homemade Chicken Soup}

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One thing I love about this time of year is the cooler weather… which provides the perfect opportunity to make different soups.  Now I love trying a new recipe as much as the next girl, but sometimes you just need to go back to an oldie but goodie.  This chicken soup recipe is quick, easy, healthy and can be altered quickly to use what you have already.  And for me, it brings back great memories of my childhood.

 {Quick Sidenote: One time when I was in college, I was pretty sick with a nasty cold.  I talked to my dad on the phone in the morning, and that evening he showed up at my apartment door with a steaming pot of chicken soup!  I have the best. parents. ever.}

When I learned to make this soup I quickly realized that there was no recipe… you just throw in a little of this and a little of that!  So, with that being said, bear with me as I try to explain this to you! {ha!}

You need to start out with a large soup pot with a lid… Doesn’t have to be anything fancy people!

1.) Fill the soup pot half full with water {See, I told you there is no recipe for this!}

2.) Add either a whole chicken {cut up} or a package of chicken breasts.  The chicken must be bone-in with skin on to flavor the soup.

3.) Cut up one onion and add to the soup pot.

4.) Cut up 3-4 large carrots and add to the soup.

5.) Cut up 3-4 large celery stalks and add to the soup.

6.) Cut up a tomato and add to the soup- this gives the broth a beautiful gold/reddish color. {FYI- I just made that color up}

7.) Cut up a large handful of fresh parsley and add to the soup.

8.) Add salt and pepper to taste.

9.) Add a bit of minced garlic… or not

10.) Add about a tablespoon of Siracha to the soup.  This is like a hot sauce, but believe me- I don’t like spicy things at all and this just gives it flavor, not spice.  Of course, if you are a spicy kind of gal- add more!  This sauce is found on the same aisle at the grocery store as the Asian and Mexican foods. MMMmmmm…

11.) Bring to a boil over medium high and then reduce heat to medium low- stir occasionally until carrots and celery are soft and chicken is cooked through.

12.) Pull out chicken and remove bones/skin, putting the chunks of meat back into the soup pot.

13.) This is where you decide if you want chicken noodle or chicken rice… or just plain chicken soup.  Either boil noodles or cook rice and add to your bown.  Ladel soup on top and season to taste.

14.) Other things to add: I have tried red pepper or zucchini in the past and both were tasty.

This is one of my go-to soup recipes.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!  What do you like to add to homemade chicken soup?

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