Alphabet Chicken Soup
A comforting chicken soup with alphabet pasta, tender chicken, and fresh vegetables, perfect for family meals and kids' lunchboxes, blending hearty flavors with playful alphabet shapes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a 6 to 8-quart Dutch oven, combine the chicken, water, salt, peppercorns, and poultry seasoning.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cover and cook over low heat for one hour or until the chicken is tender.
- Remove the chicken and peppercorns from the broth.
- Skim off any fat from the surface.
- Remove the meat from the bones and return it to the soup.
- Add the alphabet pasta, carrots, celery, and onion to the soup.
- Cook, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes or until the alphabet pasta is tender.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or bay leaves during cooking. If you don't have alphabet pasta, any small pasta like orzo or ditalini can be used. You can also add other vegetables such as peas or corn for added nutrition and color. Make sure to taste the broth before serving, as some stewing chickens may require more salt.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Alphabet Chicken Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal. For a comforting twist, consider serving it alongside a slice of Chicken Muriel for a delightful dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water if it has thickened. If you'd like to freeze it, ensure the soup is cooled completely and store it in quart containers; defrost when needed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Alphabet Chicken Soup contains roughly 1281 calories, with 43g protein, 244g carbohydrates, and 38g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (142% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 741mg per serving (32% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more vegetables to this soup?
Absolutely! You can enhance the nutritional value of the soup by adding vegetables like peas, green beans, or even leafy greens like spinach. Just add them in during the last 10 minutes of cooking to ensure they maintain their texture and color.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).