ORGANIC CHICKEN SOUP

chicken soup.jpg
 
 

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 medium carrots, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices

  • 2 celery ribs, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

  • 4 fresh thyme sprigs

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 2 quarts chicken stock, recipe follows

  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken

  • Sea Salt & Black Pepper

  • 1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Chicken Stock:

  • 1 whole Organic chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds), rinsed, giblets discarded
  • 2 carrots, cut in large chunks
  • 3 celery stalks, cut in large chunks
  • 2 large white onions, quartered
  • 1 head of garlic, halved
  • 1/4 bunch fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Place a soup pot over medium heat and coat with the oil. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, thyme and bay leaf. Cook and stir for about 6 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent. Pour in the chicken stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Toss in the chicken, and continue to simmer for another couple of minutes to heat through; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Chicken Stock:

Place the chicken and vegetables in a large stockpot over medium heat. Pour in only enough cold water to cover (about 3 quarts); too much will make the broth taste weak. Toss in the thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns, and allow it to slowly come to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, partially covered, until the chicken is done. Keep skimming off the byproducts.

Carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board. When its cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones; hand-shred the meat into a storage container.

Carefully strain the stock through a fine sieve into another pot to remove the vegetable solids. Use the stock immediately or if you plan on storing it, place the pot in a sink full of ice water and stir to cool down the stock. Cover and refrigerate for up to one week or freeze.