Left Over Chicken Carcass Soup

Transform your leftovers into a comforting bowl of 'Leftover Chicken Carcass Soup,' a zero-waste recipe that’s as nourishing as it is wholesome. This easy, budget-friendly soup starts with a leftover chicken carcass simmered slowly to extract rich, flavorful broth. Enhanced with classic aromatics like onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, along with fresh herbs like thyme and parsley, this recipe delivers depth and warmth in every spoonful. Optional additions like diced potatoes, shredded chicken, and a splash of lemon juice let you customize it to your taste, making it perfect for satisfying weeknight meals or cold-weather cravings. Ready in just over two hours, this hearty broth is ideal for maximizing leftovers while serving as a delicious base for countless other dishes. Pair it with crusty bread for the ultimate comfort food experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 whole Leftover chicken carcass
• 8 cups Water
• 1 large Onion
• 2 medium Carrots
• 2 medium Celery stalks
• 3 whole Garlic cloves
• 2 pieces Bay leaves
• 4 sprigs Fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme)
• 4 sprigs Parsley
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black peppercorns
• 2 medium Potatoes (optional, diced)
• 1 cup Cooked chicken (optional, shredded)
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Break the leftover chicken carcass into a few large pieces, if it isn't already broken, to help it fit into your pot.

Step 2

Place the chicken carcass in a large stockpot. Add the water to fully submerge the bones.

Step 3

Peel and roughly chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Add these to the pot.

Step 4

Smash the garlic cloves with the side of a knife to release their aroma, and add them to the pot as well.

Step 5

Toss in the bay leaves, thyme sprigs, parsley, salt, and black peppercorns.

Step 6

Place the pot on medium-high heat and bring the contents to a gentle boil.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and allow the soup to simmer for 90 minutes to 2 hours, skimming any foam or impurities from the surface with a spoon periodically.

Step 8

After simmering, use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken carcass and any large solids from the pot.

Step 9

Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot or large bowl to remove any remaining bits of bone or vegetables.

Step 10

If you’d like to add extra heartiness, stir in diced potatoes and let them simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.

Step 11

If you have leftover cooked chicken, shred it into bite-sized pieces and add it to the simmering soup during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Stir in lemon juice for brightness, if desired.

Step 12

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.

Step 13

Serve hot and enjoy with your favorite bread or crackers!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3409.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1548.6

Total Fat 59.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 452.8mg	0%
Sodium 3020.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 94.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.5g	0%
Total Sugars 20.0g
Protein 158.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 381.3mg	0%
Iron 11.0mg	0%
Potassium 3436.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.8%

Protein: 40.9%

Carbs: 24.3%