Clear Chicken Soup
In the realm of comfort foods, few dishes rival the soothing warmth and nourishing goodness of a good clear chicken soup. Whether it’s a remedy for a cold, a comforting meal on a chilly day, or simply a hug for the soul, clear chicken soup holds a special place in many of our hearts.
At its essence, clear chicken soup is a simple yet flavoursome soup made from chicken, aromatic vegetables, and fragrant herbs. The key to its clarity lies in the gentle simmering of the ingredients, allowing the flavours to meld while keeping the broth clear and free of impurities.
What You Will Love about this Recipe
The Ingredients
How to Make It
Step 1. Place all ingredients, except the parsley into a large pot and cover with 2 litres (8 cups) of water. Bring stock to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 90 minutes with the lid on.
Step 2. Remove the chicken from the broth and set aside to cool briefly before shredding the meat. The chicken broth can continue to simmer while you are doing this. Discard the skin from the chicken and shred the meat placing it into a bowl. To add more flavour to the broth add the bones back and simmer for another 1-3 hours.
Step 3. Strain the soup with a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Discard vegetables or use them in another dish.
TIP: – To make the soup extra clear, pass through the cheesecloth twice to remove the impurities. Make sure not to press the solids into the cloth as this will make it cloudy.
Step 4. Heat the broth until simmering and add the shredded chicken back to the soup. Season to taste. Serve garnished with fresh parsley.
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Variations
While the basic recipe for clear chicken soup remains consistent, there are endless variations to suit different tastes and preferences. Here are a few ideas to customize your clear broth soup:
- Flavours – Experiment with different herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, or turmeric to add depth and complexity to the broth.
- Vegetables – Beyond the traditional carrots, celery, and onion, consider adding leeks, parsnips, or mushrooms for additional flavour and texture.
- Protein – While chicken is the classic choice, you can also use other proteins such as turkey, duck or beef broth recipe.
Ways to Cook Clear Chicken Soup
Clear chicken soup can be prepared using various cooking methods, each offering its own advantages in terms of flavour and convenience:
- Conventional Method: Simmer the ingredients in a large pot on the stovetop for a couple of hours to allow the flavours to develop fully.
- Instant Pot: Utilize the pressure-cooking capabilities of an Instant Pot for a quicker cooking time without compromising on flavour.
- Thermomix: Opt for the convenience of a Thermomix for hands-off cooking and easy cleanup, perfect for busy weeknights.
What to Serve with Clear Chicken Soup
Clear chicken soup pairs well with a variety of accompaniments to round out the meal and enhance the dining experience. Consider serving it with:
- Crusty bread, or low carb bread, for us following a keto diet, or crackers for dipping
- Cooked rice, noodles, or keto pasta for added heartiness
- Roasted vegetables such as grilled zucchini and squash, peperonata, or a dollop of chimichurri or chive oil.
FAQs and Tips
Yes, you can certainly use boneless chicken for clear chicken soup. While using bone-in chicken adds depth of flavour to the broth, boneless chicken will still impart delicious taste and texture to the soup.
It’s recommended to simmer the chicken clear soup for at least 90 minutes to allow the ingredients to fully infuse the broth with their flavors. However, you can simmer the soup for longer if desired, up to 3-4 hours, to extract even more depth and richness from the chicken bones. Just be sure to keep an eye on the liquid level and adjust as needed to prevent the soup from becoming too concentrated.
Yes, clear chicken soup freezes very well and can be made in advance for convenient meal prep. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Be sure to leave some space at the top of the container to allow for expansion during freezing. When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator or reheat it gently on the stovetop until warmed through.
Next Keto Soup Recipes To Try
Here are just a few more delicious recipes for soup to try soon.
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Clear Chicken Soup
Equipment
- Skimmer for removing impurities
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Ingredients
- 1.6 kg (3 ½ lb) whole chicken jointed
- 3 garlic cloves roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons ginger 30g, roughly chopped
- 1 onion 140g, coarsely chopped
- 1 small carrot coarsely chopped
- 3 stalks celery coarsely chopped
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon salt flakes or to taste
- 2 tablespoons lime juice or apple cider vinegar
- 8 cups chicken broth or chicken stock 2 litres
- 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley leaves coarsely chopped (loosely packed) to serve
Instructions
CONVENTIONAL METHOD
- Place all ingredients, except the parsley into a large pot and cover with 2 litres (8 cups) of stock. Bring stock to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 90 minutes with the lid on.
- Remove the chicken from the broth and set aside to cool briefly before shredding the meat. The broth can continue to simmer while you are doing this. Discard the skin from the chicken and shred the meat placing it into a bowl. To add more flavour to the broth add the bones back and simmer for another 1-3 hours. (See below for Instant Pot).
- Strain soup with a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Discard vegetables or use them in another dish.
- Heat the broth until simmering and add the chicken back to the soup. Season to taste. Serve garnished with fresh herbs.
THERMOMIX CLEAR CHICKEN SOUP
- For TM method you will need to use split the chicken and broth into 2 halves and cook in two batches. Alternatively, use the sliding scale above for the servings and make half the recipe in one go.
- Insert blade cover. Place all ingredients, except the parsley into mixer; you can only add stock to the MAX line; cook 80 minutes/90°C/reverse/stir.
- Remove the chicken from the broth and set aside to cool briefly before shredding the meat.
- Discard the skin from the chicken and shred the meat placing it into a separate bowl.
- To add more flavour to the broth add the bones back to the mixer; cook 60 min/90°C/speed 1.
- Strain soup with a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Discard vegetables or use them in another dish.
- Add the chicken to the soup and stir to heat through. Season to taste. Serve garnished with fresh herbs.
Notes
– Store leftover clear chicken soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
– Alternatively, you can freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
– Chicken: For the best flavour and texture, use a whole chicken jointed into pieces. However, you can also use chicken thighs or legs if preferred.
– Vegetables: Feel free to customise the vegetables to your preference or what you have on hand. Other options include leeks or peppers.
– Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley add a vibrant flavour to the soup, but you can also use dried herbs if fresh are not available. Alternative Cooking Tips
– For a richer flavour, roast the chicken pieces in the oven before adding them to the soup. This will add depth and complexity to the broth.
– If using a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot, follow the same instructions above but adjust the cooking time according to the manufacturer’s guidelines for cooking chicken soup. I would pressure cook 25 min/high pressure/ slow release for 15 minutes/then quick release. Alternatively, you can slow-cook the soup for 8-10 hours. Things to Watch When Making
– Be careful not to cut the vegetables, too small. You do not want them dissolving into the broth.
– Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface of the broth during cooking to ensure a clear and clean soup.
– Adjust the seasoning to taste at the end of cooking, as the flavours will concentrate as the soup simmers. Chef’s Tips
– To achieve a clearer broth, avoid stirring the soup excessively while it’s simmering and be gentle when straining the soup.
– Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprinkle of fresh herbs just before serving.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
3 responses to “Easy Clear Chicken Soup”
I am really thankful for posting such useful information. It really made me understand lot of important concepts in the topic. Keep up the good work!
I absolutely love chicken soups and especially a clear chicken broth. The beautiful poached chicken meat that falls off the bones can be used in the soup and also in other meals as well. It’s great to keep a freezer stash and with winter coming and the cooler weather this soup is a winner for me . I loved using a whole chicken jointed into pieces. Such an inexpensive and nourishing bowl of beautiful chicken soup.
Absolutely delicious. I have just finished making this, this morning. It was exactly what I needed. It is so cold here in Melbourne. So tasty, and the chicken melts in your mouth. Thanks megs.
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