Chicken borscht

Chicken borscht: a classic and comforting recipe

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Chicken borscht is a traditional Romanian recipe, perfect for chilly days or when you need a comforting dish. This sour soup is not only tasty but also nutritious, filled with fresh vegetables and flavors that will enrich your meal. Follow the steps below to achieve a perfect borscht, rich in flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

- 500 g chicken (preferably thighs or breast)
- 2 carrots
- 1 bunch of parsley
- 1 piece of celery
- 2-3 potatoes
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 1 bell pepper (preferably red for extra color)
- Parsley leaves
- Lovage leaves
- 250 ml sour borscht (or to taste)
- 200 g noodles
- 2.5 l water
- 1 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

1. Preparing the meat: Start by washing the chicken well under cold running water. Choose a large pot to place the meat and add 2.5 liters of cold water. Put the pot on the stove and allow the meat to boil. When the water starts to boil, use a skimmer to remove the foam that forms on the surface. This step is essential for obtaining a clear and appetizing borscht.

2. Adding the vegetables: When the meat is almost cooked (about 30 minutes), add the whole onion, sliced carrots, diced celery, and bell pepper. These vegetables will provide a rich flavor to the borscht. Let everything simmer over medium heat for another 15 minutes.

3. Flavoring the borscht: Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes, then add them to the pot. When the potatoes are nearly cooked (after 10-15 minutes), add the diced tomatoes and the sour borscht. The latter will bring a sour note and give personality to your borscht. Let everything boil together for another 10 minutes.

4. Finalizing the dish: Five minutes before turning off the heat, add the noodles to the pot. Wait for them to cook according to the package instructions. Don’t forget to add salt to taste, and if you wish, you can also add lovage leaves for extra flavor.

5. Serving: After all the ingredients are cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let the borscht rest for a few minutes. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh parsley or lovage leaves for a more appealing look. Chicken borscht is delicious and pairs perfectly with a slice of fresh bread or polenta.

Useful tips:

- If you want an even more intense flavor, you can add a few peppercorns or a few bay leaves during cooking.
- For a vegetarian version, you can replace the chicken with mushrooms and add more vegetables.
- The borscht can be stored in the refrigerator and is even tastier the next day when the flavors have had time to meld.

Enjoy this chicken borscht, a simple and quick recipe that will warm you up and bring you comfort from home!

 Ingredients: 500g chicken meat, 2 carrots, 1 sprig of parsley, 1 piece of celery, 2-3 potatoes, 2 tomatoes, 1 onion, 1 bell pepper, parsley leaves, lovage leaves, 250 ml of sour borscht, 200g noodles, 2.5 liters of water, 1 teaspoon of salt.