If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort in a bowl, you’re going to absolutely fall in love with this Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe. It’s the kind of soup that warms your heart, soothes your soul, and fills your kitchen with the most inviting aromas. I promise you, once you try this, you’ll never want to reach for canned broth again—this soup is that good and that easy to make!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, Deep Flavor: Slow-simmering the whole chicken with fresh herbs creates a broth that’s bursting with taste.
Hearty and Nourishing: Loaded with fresh veggies and shredded chicken, it’s pure comfort in every spoonful.
Adaptable and Friendly: You can easily swap veggies or herbs based on what’s in your fridge or your cravings.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re nursing a cold or just want a cozy meal, this homemade chicken soup never disappoints.

A close-up of a dark blue bowl filled with clear chicken soup showing three main layers: the transparent broth at the bottom with small green herb pieces floating, tender white chicken chunks and strips in the middle, and small bright orange carrot cubes on top. A silver spoon is lifting some broth, chicken pieces, and carrot cubes from the bowl. The bowl sits on a yellow cloth with a soft white marbled surface behind it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic in this homemade chicken soup recipe comes from simple, fresh ingredients that work beautifully together. Using a whole chicken gives you that rich broth and succulent meat all in one pot. Plus, the mix of roots and herbs adds subtle sweetness and depth.

Whole chicken: Choose a fresh, preferably organic chicken for the best flavor; the bones are key to rich broth.
Chicken stock or broth: Homemade is ideal, but a low-sodium store-bought broth works well too for convenience.
Garlic cloves: Adds savory depth; I love crushing them whole so they infuse without overpowering.
Fresh thyme sprigs: This herb brings a lovely earthiness—don’t skip it if you have it on hand.
Bay leaf: A classic soup aromatic that rounds out the flavor beautifully.
Carrot: Adds natural sweetness and color; diced small so it cooks evenly.
Turnip: Gives a subtle bite and hearty texture to the broth.
Yellow onion or leek: Either is great—leeks add a mild, onion-like sweetness.
Parsnip: Adds a lovely nutty sweetness, great to balance the savoriness.
Celery ribs: Classic soup vegetable that lends crunch and flavor.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning to bring all the flavors together.
Fresh herbs (dill, parsley): Sprinkle on top just before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this homemade chicken soup recipe is. I often tweak it based on what veggies I have or how hearty I want it, and it never loses its comforting magnetism. Feel free to make it your own!

Noodle Variation: Adding egg noodles or small pasta shapes in the last few minutes of cooking turns this into a complete meal the whole family adores.
Low-carb Version: Skip the root veggies and add cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini for a lighter bowl.
Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce gives a warming heat—perfect on chilly evenings.
Winter Warmer: Add diced sweet potatoes or parsnips for more sweetness and fiber during cold months.

How to Make Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Assemble Your Chicken

Start by separating the chicken breasts from the carcass and detaching the legs. This sounds tricky, but I promise it’s simpler than it seems—I use a sharp knife and just follow the natural joints. This step helps the meat cook evenly and makes it easier to shred later. Place the breasts, legs, and carcass into a large pot or Dutch oven and pour in your chicken stock or broth until the chicken is fully covered. Toss in whole garlic cloves, fresh thyme sprigs, and a bay leaf to infuse the broth with herbal goodness.

Step 2: Slow-Simmering for Flavor

Turn the heat to medium-high and use an instant-read thermometer to keep the stock between 150°F and 160°F. This technique helps slowly extract maximum flavor without boiling it hard, which can make the broth cloudy or bitter. If you don’t have a thermometer, keep the pot at a gentle simmer with small bubbles, not a rolling boil. Cook the chicken breasts until they reach 150°F internally—about an hour. Remove the breasts and set aside; they’ll cook a little more later.

Step 3: Simmer On and Strain

Bring your soup back to a gentle simmer and cook for another hour, skimming any foam or impurities off the top. When finished, discard the thyme and bay leaf, then remove all the chicken pieces from the pot. Carefully shred the meat off the bones, discarding skin and bones. If your broth ended up a bit cloudy, you can pour it through a fine-mesh strainer to clear it up—this is especially useful if you want a cleaner presentation but still want full flavor.

Step 4: Add Your Veggies and Finish the Soup

Put back all the shredded meat except the reserved chicken breasts, then simmer your soup with diced carrots, turnip, onion (or leek), parsnip, and celery for about 10 minutes until tender but not mushy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Dice the chicken breasts and stir them in with any juices they released for extra moisture and flavor. Finish with fresh herbs like dill or parsley—this touch brightens the whole pot and adds a lovely fresh aroma right before serving.

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Pro Tips for Making Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe

Gentle Heat Control: Keeping your broth at a low simmer rather than a boil preserves clarity and delicate flavors.
Bone-In Flavor: Using the whole chicken carcass is the secret to my rich, layered broth—don’t skip the bones!
Fresh Herbs Late: Add fresh herbs just before serving to keep their brightness and avoid a cooked-down flavor.
Shredding Technique: Pull chicken meat gently with your hands or forks to keep it tender and avoid shredding too finely.

How to Serve Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe

A close-up image of a spoon holding clear soup with small white chunks of meat, orange carrot pieces, and some green herbs floating in it, rising above a round white bowl that has a dark blue rim. The bowl sits on a yellow cloth with steam rising from the soup, suggesting it is hot. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

My go-to garnishes are fresh chopped dill and parsley because they add a pop of color and a fresh, herby lift to each bowl. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice also brightens the flavor wonderfully. Sometimes I like a sprinkle of cracked black pepper on top for a little bite.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs perfectly with crusty bread or homemade dinner rolls—ideal for soaking up every last drop. For something heartier, I often serve it alongside a simple green salad or roasted vegetables to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party or when I want to impress guests, I ladle the soup into individual crocks or rustic mugs. Sometimes I add a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche on top and garnish with fresh herbs to elevate the presentation. It’s a simple way to make it feel special but still totally homey.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let the soup cool to room temperature, then store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Just remember to stir gently before reheating.

Freezing

This homemade chicken soup recipe freezes beautifully. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags (don’t forget to leave some headspace!) and freeze for up to 3 months. It’s such a lifesaver on busy days or when you need a comforting meal pronto.

Reheating

To reheat, I thaw frozen soup overnight in the fridge, then warm it gently over low heat on the stove. This prevents the chicken from drying out and keeps veggies tender. Stir occasionally until heated through, and add a splash of water or broth if it’s thickened too much.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken for this soup?

Absolutely! While a whole chicken gives the richest broth because of the bones and variety of meat, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs will still deliver great flavor and tenderness. Just adjust cooking times since thighs will cook faster than a whole chicken.
How can I make this soup gluten-free?

This homemade chicken soup recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free chicken broth or stock; always double-check labels if using store-bought. If you’re adding noodles, swap in gluten-free pasta or quinoa for a safe alternative.
Is it better to use homemade chicken stock or store-bought broth?

I’ll be honest — homemade stock really makes a difference here. It’s richer and more nourishing. But if you’re short on time, a good-quality low-sodium store-bought broth works just fine to get this soup on your table quickly.
How do I keep the chicken from turning rubbery?

The key is gentle cooking at low temperatures. Keep the broth between 150°F and 160°F, and avoid boiling. Remove chicken breasts as soon as they reach 150°F and set aside, then add them back at the end to finish cooking gently in the broth. This method keeps meat tender and juicy.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Definitely! You can place the whole chicken, stock, garlic, and herbs in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Remove the chicken to shred, and add your diced vegetables in the last hour so they don’t get too soft. This is perfect for hands-off cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s both humble and spectacular—a recipe that’s stood the test of many cozy evenings and healing moments. Whenever I’m feeling run down or just craving that homemade touch, this soup is my go-to. I hope you’ll enjoy making it just as much as sharing it with your loved ones. Trust me, once you taste this rich, soothing broth and tender chicken, you’ll have your own new favorite in the recipe box!