My Doctor's Mama's Chicken Soup

Warm your soul with "My Doctor's Mama's Chicken Soup," a comforting, homemade recipe that's as nourishing as it is delicious. This classic chicken soup starts with a whole chicken simmered to tender perfection, infusing the broth with rich, savory goodness. Packed with wholesome ingredients like carrots, celery, garlic, and fresh herbs, this hearty soup is accented with fresh parsley and a splash of lemon juice for an uplifting burst of flavor. Optional egg noodles add an irresistible texture, making it an ideal meal for cold days or whenever you need a cozy pick-me-up. Ready in just over two hours, this recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week. Serve it with crusty bread or crackers for the ultimate comfort food experience. Perfectly balanced and bursting with nutrition, this homemade chicken soup will quickly become your go-to remedy for both body and soul.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 medium (about 3-4 pounds) whole chicken
• 4 large, peeled and chopped carrots
• 4 large, chopped celery stalks
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 0.25 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons, or to taste salt
• 1 teaspoon, freshly ground black pepper
• 10 cups water
• 2 cups, uncooked (optional) egg noodles
• 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed (optional) lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Place the whole chicken in a large stockpot and add 10 cups of water, ensuring the chicken is fully submerged.

Step 2

Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.

Step 3

Add the chopped carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot. Stir in salt and black pepper.

Step 4

Cover the pot partially with a lid and let the soup simmer gently for 1.5 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 5

Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and transfer it to a large bowl to cool slightly. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into another pot, discarding the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Return the strained broth to the stove over low heat.

Step 6

Shred the chicken meat, discarding the skin and bones. Add the shredded chicken back to the broth.

Step 7

If using egg noodles, add them to the soup and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until tender.

Step 8

Stir in fresh parsley and a touch of lemon juice, if desired, for a bright, fresh flavor.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5544.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1012.1

Total Fat 20.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 194.9mg	0%
Sodium 5896.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 161.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.0g	0%
Total Sugars 39.4g
Protein 53.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0.3IU	0%
Calcium 788.5mg	0%
Iron 11.4mg	0%
Potassium 4293.1mg	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: 17.9%

Protein: 20.4%

Carbs: 61.7%