Grandma's Homemade Chicken Soup

Grandma's Homemade Chicken Soup

There is nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of homemade chicken soup, especially when your sick or when the weather starts getting cold. I am sure that many of us have fond memories of his mother or grandmother down a hot bowl of chicken soup when we were younger. Remember how comforting it was, and how well you did it? I sure do, and I look forward to making chicken soup at least once a month during the cold days of winter. I will share with you one of the most delicious recipes for chicken soup, went down to me from my grandmother. It's quite easy to do and I promise you will enjoy it again and again ...

I rarely follow the exact measurements while cooking, so ingredients below are approximate.Forgive me in advance ..

INGREDIENTS

2 large chicken breasts on the bone, skin on

3 Large stalks celery sliced (reserve leaves)

3 large carrots sliced

1 medium onion chopped

3 cloves garlic, crushed

2 Medium Russet Potatoes Cubed

1 cup Small pasta for Soup (Orzo, Dateline)

Water

Chicken stock

Salt and pepper

Italian Grated Cheese (Optional)

Bouquet garn of thyme, Sage and Rosemary (instructions below)

DIRECTIONS

Step 1 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the chicken breasts skin down and brown.

Step 2 - Add water and chicken stock to pot. Add a 50/50 mixture of water and chicken stock. Chicken stock gives the soup a boost in flavor. Add enough liquid so that the chicken is completely flooded, plus a little more.

Step 3 - Add Celery, garlic and Bouquet Garn (instructions follow). Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover and simmer. Cook the chicken on a low simmer until you can easily pull the chicken off the bone. A chicken is done, remove it from the pot and place it on a large plate. Remove garlic and bouquet from pot and discard.

Bouquet Garn Instructions / Description

a bouquet Garn is just a fancy French name for a collection of herbs that can be added to stocks, soups and stews. When translated into English it means: "garnished bouquet". It is very easy to do. You can either tie bundle using strings or you can package it in Cheesecloth. I like to use Cheesecloth because it contains the herbs so they do not fall down and become a part of the soup. If you do not mind the herbs in the final soup, you can package it with string. This bundle of herbs will provide a delicious rich flavor to the soup.

Step 4 - Add the onions, potatoes, celery and carrots to pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until vegetables are tender.

Step 5 - Add your pasta and cook together with vegetables until pasta is al dente.

Step 6 - While the pasta is cooking, pull chicken from bones and shred into bite pieces. Place chicken in saucepan and stir.

Step 7 - Serve. Top with grated cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

Ralph Seep is a passionate home chef and founder of Chefability.com. Visit us today for more great recipes like this one.