Chicken soup

Delicious Chicken Soup – A Feast for the Soul

Chicken soup is a classic dish, sought after and loved by many of us. This soup recipe not only warms our souls but also offers a rich and comforting taste, perfect for any time of the day. With a mix of fresh vegetables, juicy meat, and aromatic souring agents, this soup quickly becomes a favorite in any household. Let's discover together how we can prepare a savory chicken soup, step by step!

Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 6

Necessary ingredients:

- 1 small chicken (back, wings, drumsticks, and possibly a thigh)
- 1 white onion
- 1 red onion
- 1 bunch of green onions (optional)
- 1 small celery
- 1 parsley
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 red capia pepper
- 1 carrot
- 1 bunch of fresh lovage
- 1 bunch of parsley (optional)
- Celery leaves
- 2-3 potatoes (or noodles, according to preference)
- Borscht or sour cherries for souring
- Tomato paste or crushed tomatoes

For serving:

- Sour cream
- Hot pepper
- Red onion

Preparing the chicken soup:

Step 1: Preparing the ingredients
Start by cleaning and washing the vegetables. Cut the white and red onions into small cubes, and you can grate the carrot and celery. The green bell pepper and red capia pepper should be chopped into cubes. If you prefer a colorful soup, add a grated carrot and a red pepper for a more vibrant appearance.

Step 2: Preparing the chicken
Wash the chicken well and cut it into pieces. You can use the back, wings, and possibly a thigh for a richer flavor. If you don’t have enough meat, feel free to add more thighs.

Step 3: Sautéing the vegetables
In a large pot, heat a little oil and sauté the white onion until it becomes translucent. Add the grated carrot and then the red and green peppers. Sautéing the vegetables will intensify the flavors and add depth to your soup.

Step 4: Boiling the chicken
In another pot, boil the chicken with water (about 2 liters should be enough). Once the water starts to boil, skim the soup as needed to achieve a clear broth. Then, add the sautéed vegetables and let everything simmer on low heat.

Step 5: Adding the vegetables
After about 30 minutes, add the remaining chopped vegetables, including the potatoes, which will provide consistency to the soup. If you want a healthier version, you can skip sautéing the vegetables and add them directly to the pot.

Step 6: Souring the soup
In the last 10 minutes of boiling, add the borscht (which you boiled earlier with an onion and a little thyme) or sour cherries, if you are using them. Another idea is to use frozen sour cherry juice, which will add a pleasant acidity and enrich the soup with vitamin C. Also, add the tomato paste or crushed tomatoes, which will provide a delicious flavor and a nice color.

Step 7: Finalizing the dish
Adjust the taste with salt and pepper, then add the chopped greens (lovage and parsley). Cover the pot and let the soup rest for a few minutes. This step is essential for the flavors to blend perfectly.

Serving:
Chicken soup is served hot, garnished with sour cream, freshly chopped lovage, and for those who love a bit of heat, with hot pepper. You can also add chopped red onion for extra flavor. If you want to turn this soup into a true feast, you can add torn pieces of boiled eggs, which will add an interesting texture.

Practical tips:
- If you want to save time, you can use store-bought chicken broth as a base, but nothing compares to the aroma of a soup cooked from fresh ingredients.
- Using seasonal vegetables will significantly improve the taste of your soup. Experimenting with different vegetables can bring new flavors.
- If you like a spicier soup, you can add a few slices of hot pepper during cooking.
- An interesting idea is to replace borscht with lemon juice for a different note of acidity.

Nutritional benefits:
Chicken soup is not only delicious but also healthy. It is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, thanks to the fresh vegetables and chicken meat. Additionally, borscht brings a supply of probiotics, which help maintain intestinal health.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but make sure to thaw it completely before cooking.
2. How can I make the soup more sour?
For a more sour soup, you can add more borscht or lemon juice, depending on your preferences.
3. What are the best vegetables for this soup?
The most commonly used vegetables are carrots, celery, peppers, and potatoes. You can experiment with zucchini or peas for a different taste.

In conclusion, chicken soup is a simple yet flavorful recipe that can be customized to everyone’s preferences. Whether you serve it for lunch or dinner, it will surely bring a touch of warmth and comfort to any day. So, put on your apron and let your creativity flow in the kitchen! Enjoy!

 Ingredients: a small chicken (back, wings, cutlery, and possibly a thigh) 1 white onion 1 red onion 1 bunch of green onions optional 1 small celery 1 parsley 1 green bell pepper (I used a gogoșar) 1 red capia pepper 1 carrot 1 bunch of fresh lovage 1 bunch of parsley optional Celery leaves A few potatoes or noodles To sour: bors or sour cherries Tomato paste or crushed tomatoes For serving: sour cream Hot pepper Red onion

 Tags:  chicken meat soup vegetables