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If you’ve ever wondered how to cook a soup chicken, the first thing to know is what you’re actually buying.
A soup chicken is also called a chicken back. Technically, it’s the carcass that’s left after a whole chicken has been cut into chicken breasts, thighs, wings, and drumsticks. “Carcass” is the correct term, but it doesn’t exactly sound appetizing, so soup chicken it is.
Don’t underestimate it, though. There’s still plenty of chicken meat left on the bones, and that’s exactly why soup chickens are one of the best ways to make rich chicken broth or chicken stock. They also happen to be one of the most economical things you can buy if you enjoy making homemade soup.
Unlike many recipes you’ll find online, we don’t start with a lot of water. 1 cup of water per soup chicken is enough. Time is precious and so is energy. Adding water just to boil it off is ridiculous. The goal is a rich, concentrated homemade broth, not a weak broth that has to simmer all day just to cook half the water away.
Homemade Chicken Broth
Ingredients
- 2 frozen soup chickens
- 2 cups water
That’s it.
Directions
- Place the two frozen soup chickens into a large pot.
- Add 2 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Once it’s bubbling steadily, turn the burner down to medium heat or whatever setting maintains a low simmer.
- Cover the pot and allow the soup chickens to cook until the meat pulls easily from the bones, adding a little bit of water only if necessary.
The soup chickens naturally release moisture as they cook. Starting with too much water simply dilutes the broth, leaving you with a weaker chicken broth that has to be reduced for hours to develop good flavour. Starting with less water gives you a richer more flavorful broth from the beginning, and gets you a finished product sooner.
Once the soup chickens are cooked, remove them from the pot and allow them to cool until they’re comfortable to handle.
Pick the remaining meat from the bones and set it aside. You’ll use it for soup in the next recipe.
Strain the broth into an airtight container if you’re using it within a few days, or a freezer-safe container if you’d like to save it for later. Homemade chicken stock freezes beautifully and is always nice to have on hand.
Homemade Chicken Soup
Now that you’ve made your broth, turning it into soup is easy.
Ingredients
- Homemade chicken broth
- Reserved shredded chicken
- Mirepoix (onion, carrots, and celery sautéed)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh parsley
- Egg noodles (optional)
Directions
- Return the broth to a clean pot.
- Add the mirepoix and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the shredded chicken.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- If you’d like noodles, cook the egg noodles separately and add them just before serving.
- Finish with chopped fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
That’s all there is to it. The broth already has plenty of flavour, so there isn’t much need to complicate it.
Can You Use a Dutch Oven?
Google says you can and so do a ton of recipe bloggers. I’ve never tried it because I don’t see the advantage. A large pot with a lid has always worked just fine for me.
Can You Use a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes. I guess you could but why would you want to use a slow cooker? The idea behind less water is to speed this up a bit.
I hear an Instant Pot also works well if you’re short on time. But I have never used one, so I honestly have no idea. Again, google and recipe bloggers seem to think this is doable, but the cooking method changes, and this is not my wheelhouse.
Soup Chicken vs. Leftover Roast Chicken
I would never say no to using good leftovers, and leftover roast chicken or a grocery store rotisserie chicken are both great options. A soup chicken, however, is sold specifically for making broth. Because the bones, skin, and remaining meat cook together, they produce a richer chicken stock with more depth of flavour than simply boiling leftover chicken pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add herbs?
Of course. If you enjoy fresh herbs, fresh thyme or fresh dill both work well. We usually keep it simple and finish the soup with fresh parsley.
Can I add noodles?
Yes. Egg noodles make a classic chicken soup, but you can leave them out or substitute another pasta if you prefer.
How long will homemade broth keep?
Stored in an airtight container, homemade broth will keep in the refrigerator for several days. It also freezes well in a freezer-safe container, so it’s easy to make a batch now and enjoy it later.
Why make your own chicken broth?
Because it’s hard to beat. Homemade chicken broth has better flavour than store-bought broth, lets you control the ingredients, and makes excellent homemade soup whenever the craving strikes.
Whether you’re making easy chicken noodle soup, using it as the base for another recipe, or simply keeping a few containers in the freezer for soup season, a couple of soup chickens can go a long way.
Continue Exploring Nemcsok Farms
- Looking for soup chickens? You can browse our Frozen Soup Chickens (2 Pack) here: Frozen Soup Chickens (2 Pack)
- Love all things chicken? Check out our collection of Chicken Quotes for Instagram for a few laughs: Chicken Quotes for Instagram
- Looking for more recipes? Visit The Kitchen Table for farm-fresh meals, preserves, and seasonal cooking ideas. The Kitchen Table
- Finished in the kitchen? Head over to The Potting Bench for gardening projects, DIYs, and creative ideas. The Potting Bench
