I’m not sure why, it’s still been about 80* and fall is not in the air, but I’ve been in the mood to make a big pot of homemade chicken soup. And, so I did! Homemade soup is good no matter the weather, and this Hearty Chicken Soup is no exception. This soup is loaded with fresh veggies that simmer in a homemade chicken stock. It’s delicious and healthy!
I recently overbought on fresh cherry tomatoes, and decided to oven roast them, knowing I’d add them to my chicken soup. A hot oven, a bit of salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil, is all it takes to created sweet juicy roasted tomatoes. Once the tomatoes were roasted, about 20 minutes at 400*, I let them cool, then blended them smooth and refrigerated.
The day before I made the soup, I made my chicken stock. Making homemade stock is so simple, and great to have on hand. I like freezing it in different size containers so I can grab out whatever I need. I used a whole chicken (inners removed and rinsed), 2 carrots (peeled and cut in half) 4 stalks celery (including leaves, cut in half), 1/2 large yellow onion (peeled, cut in 1/2), 3 fresh garlic cloves (peeled), 1 bay leaf, 1 TBSP kosher salt, 1 tsp pepper. I covered it all will water and set it to cook, adding a little more water as needed. For this recipe I was using my 6.5 qt. Anolon stockpot (it was just barely big enough). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover (leave lid slightly ajar), and simmer. Cook for approx. 2 1/2 hours or until chicken falls apart. Let cool. Strain broth. Discard veggies. Shred chicken meat. On day two, you’ll be using all the stock and chicken meat to make this recipe Healthy Chicken Soup. I’d be lying if I told you I used all the chicken meat. I actually saved out just enough to make some Easy Chicken Salad for lunch.
Day two, make the soup! It actually can be done all in the same day, but I prefer to refrigerate the broth over night. Chilling it allows me to skim the fat off the top before I make the soup. Don’t worry if the stock is thick and gelatinous. Here’s what I read about jell-o like chicken stock:
“When you simmer a fresh chicken — complete with bones, skin, and meat — you extract the collagen from the bones. This collagen in the bones is what is causing your soup to gel. It’s completely natural, and it only happens in rich, well-made chicken stock.
It can be a little freaky, though, if you’re not expecting it! The good news is that this thick, gelled stock is extra-rich. If you want to thin it out, go ahead. Simmer the soup with two or three extra cups of water. It will help the soup last longer, and it shouldn’t thin out the flavor too much.” the kitchen.com
Ok, I know I made good stock and I have lots of roasted tomatoes, a refrigerator full of assorted fresh veggies, so let’s get to making soup!
- 4-5 cups homemade chicken stock (fat skimmed)
- 2 cups fresh roasted tomatoes (including roasting liquid)
- 2 cups water
- 3 cups shredded chicken meat
- 1 ear fresh corn (kernels removed)
- 1 small bunch broccoli (cut into small florets)
- 2 carrots (thin half round cuts)
- 2 celery stalks (thinly sliced)
- 2-3 cups fresh kale (ribs removed, chopped)
- 1 cup cooked brown rice (optional)
- For serving:
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Prep all veggies.
- Using a large stock pot, add all ingredients (except kale and brown rice), heat over med high (without lid) until boiling, then reduce heat to low and simmer (with lid on, slightly ajar) for about 1½-2 hours. Add kale and cooked brown rice, cook another 15 minutes.
- Serve topped with parmesan cheese.
**Did you notice there is no added salt, pepper, or other spices added to the recipe? That’s because I started with such flavorful stock and tomatoes. You can certainly add some to taste, but, for me, a little fresh parmesan on top was just enough.
The great thing about making this soup is that the recipe is totally flexible. Feel free to substitute veggies depending on what you like or have on hand. Frozen corn is an acceptable substitution if you don’t have fresh. Fresh roasted tomatoes are certainly superior to canned, but it you must substitute, purchase good San Marzano tomatoes. If you prefer noodles to rice, add them. Or not.
This soup looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing.
looks so yummy and healthy too!
Looks great. I crave Chicken soup especially this time of year.
You can tell from the photos that you made a rich stock. There’s nothing like it for making soup or sauces.
Nothing is like chicken soup. It is a staple of life.
I’d eat this soup even in August 🙂
I love a hearty chicken soup like this one! And I love the idea of making and freezing stock for ready use! Fall is coming, bring on the soups!! Gonna have to add this one to the list!
Wow… this soup looks AMAZING!
Looks like a fantastic soup – and I love that you put parm cheese on the side – I almost always put it in my soup.
The addition of roasted cherry tomatoes looks so scrumptious. I can tell that with the broccoli, greens, and other veggies, this soup really would cure what ails you. I’d like to snuggle up in a warm blanket with this soup. YUMMMMMM!!!!!
Oh my goodness this soup looks so good. I will definitely be pinning and making. Thanks for sharing.
Perfect as we head into fall. I love your addition of kale! Warm, filling goodness.
Love al the tomatoes, and those crunchy veggies that you added into this chicken soup, must taste so good.
Love chicken soup! I would not have the restraint to hold back on the noodles, though!
What a glorious selection of tomatoes you had there, and that soup looks perfect now that the weather is changing.
I am bookmarking this. I love chicken soup and have been a little under the weather so this is exactly what I need!
Looks so yummy and healthy! I love the extra veggies in it, too!
What a delicious looking and sounding soup, like you I’ll often batch make soups over a couple of days… Having a nice soup in the fridge to fall back on for lunch is heaven as far as I am concerned.
Hmmmmm I love making soups in the fall and chicken soup is a favorite. This one looks so good.
I love how you spiced things up and diverted from traditional chicken soup with this recipe. Chilly nights, sweaters, and warming soup season is almost here!
There nothing more comforting than a bowl of chicken soup. This one looks delicious and hearty .
There is nothing better on a grey day than a hearty homemade chicken soup! Yours looks so good!
We love chicken soup; your healthy version looks wonderful!
Homemade chicken soup is one of my all time favorites.There’s nothing better than sitting down with a warm bowl of soup on a cold day. Love!