Granny'S Chicken Soup
A comforting chicken soup with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty rice or orzo, perfect for warming up and nourishing the soul.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put cut pieces of chicken in 3 quarts of water in a large pot.
- Add salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken and let it cool. Debone the chicken and set aside.
- Refrigerate the broth until fat coagulates on the surface, then skim off the fat.
- Dice the cooked chicken meat, discarding the bones.
- Add chopped celery, chopped onion, chopped carrots, stewed tomatoes, and chopped parsley to the broth.
- Return the diced chicken to the pot and reheat.
- Stir in the cooked rice or orzo pasta and cook until heated through.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider using homemade broth instead of water. You can also substitute the rice with quinoa or barley for a different texture. If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Don't skimp on the poultry seasoning, as it enhances the overall taste profile of this comforting dish.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken soup is delicious on its own, but you can serve it with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It also pairs beautifully with Chicken-Broccoli Crescent Rolls for a comforting family dinner. Garnish with extra parsley for freshness and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm the soup on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much during storage.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Granny'S Chicken Soup contains roughly 818 calories, with 53g protein, 158g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (746% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (272% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (252% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1606mg per serving (70% 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 use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but ensure it is fully thawed before cooking to achieve even cooking and tenderness. If using frozen pieces, you may need to extend the cooking time by 30 minutes to ensure it's cooked through.
What can I substitute for stewed tomatoes?
If you don't have stewed tomatoes, diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes can work as alternatives. For a fresher taste, you could also use fresh tomatoes, just make sure to peel and chop them before adding to the soup.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with hearty vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini, and use vegetable broth instead of water. You can also add beans for protein and extra heartiness, making it a satisfying meat-free meal.
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).