Cozy Grandma’s Hug Chicken Soup
A warm, comforting chicken soup recipe with tender chicken, fresh herbs, and vegetables simmered to perfection. Perfect for chilly days, potlucks, or when you need a cozy meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs / 1.4–1.8 kg), preferably bone-in and skin-on
- 10 cups (2.4 liters) cold water
- 2 medium onions, peeled and quartered
- 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 celery stalks, cut into chunks
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- Salt to taste (kosher salt recommended)
- 2 cups (120 g) egg noodles or your favorite pasta
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Place the whole chicken into a large stockpot and cover with 10 cups (2.4 liters) of cold water. Slowly bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, skimming off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.
- Add quartered onions, carrot chunks, celery, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaf, whole peppercorns, and salt to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes.
- Remove the chicken using tongs or a slotted spoon and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pot or large bowl, discarding solids or saving veggies for another use.
- Remove skin and bones from the cooled chicken and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the strained broth to the stockpot and bring to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook according to package instructions (usually 6-8 minutes) until tender but not mushy.
- Stir in shredded chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes to warm through.
- Just before serving, squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon and sprinkle chopped parsley on top.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if needed.
Notes
Start with cold water and bring to a gentle simmer to keep broth clear. Skim foam regularly. Strain broth well for clarity. Add lemon juice at the end to brighten flavors. Cook noodles separately if storing leftovers to avoid sogginess. Shred chicken while still warm for easier handling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 cups (480 ml
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 27
Keywords: chicken soup, comfort food, homemade soup, easy chicken soup, cozy soup, family recipe, bone-in chicken, egg noodles, healthy soup