Posted by Sandi
Trees are budding, birds are singing and one by one, my friends and family have succumbed to end-of-season coughs and sniffles. Determined to remain healthy, I’ve been vigilantly washing my hands, getting my rest, taking Vitamin C – the usual defenses. Still, this week I was invaded by the dreaded Spring Cold. Even on beautiful Orcas Island, the Spring Cold ain’t pretty!
I instinctively felt the urge for a healing pot chicken soup. Cooking is not my “thing” and in the past my homemade chicken soup has been blah at best. So I scoured the internet for recipe ideas and picked elements of each that I combined into one Awesome Chicken Soup! This soup has a delicate but complex blend of flavors with enough punch to break through those gunky taste buds when you’re sick, and would also be a tasty treat for a healthy palate. I’m happy to report that after three courses (along with other homeopathic goodies) I’m on the mend. 🙂
Awesome Chicken Soup
2 bone-in chicken breasts
1 large onion, quartered
4 garlic cloves, crushed
3 stalks Celery, chopped
Carrots – I used baby carrots but you could chop whole carrots
Sea Salt
Pepper
Curry powder
Nutmeg
1 Lemon
Rosemary – fresh
Optional – bay leaf, fresh parsley. I didn’t have these on hand.
Put chicken breasts in pot, cover with water
Add whole quartered onion, 4 crushed garlic cloves, sea salt, curry, nutmeg, pepper. Note: I didn’t measure the spices but used generous amounts!
Bring to boil, cook approx 30-45 minutes uncovered till chicken done
Remove chicken, onions and garlic from stock pot. Save the chicken and throw out onions and garlic.
While shredding meat off the breasts, bring stock to boil, add chopped celery
After 5 min, add carrots
After 10 minutes, add pasta (I used ½ box of Barilla Plus rotini), Bring to boil, cook for 10 min and reduce to simmer
Stir in shredded chicken, squeeze of whole lemon and fresh rosemary
Serve with fresh grated parmesan on top
Serves 6-8
There are endless ways to vary this, and if you have an Awesome Chicken Soup recipe to share, I’d love to hear it!
Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty – we’ll help you find your way home.
Thanks for posting these great recipes!
Only thing I’d do different with the soup is to cook the pasta separately so it doesn’t cloud the broth (add more starch than you want).
I like to microwave reheated chicken soup over cold rice or another type of prepared pasta I might have on hand!
Here is a link to another chicken soup recipe with some great comments at the end.
Happy Spring! Take care!
That’s a great idea! When I defrosted the soup I didn’t like the consistency of the pasta so much. Will try your method next time. Your link didn’t come through – please repost. Thanks!