Intro: Nothing quite beats the delicious, comforting taste and aroma of homemade chicken soup. This versatile dish is timeless and perfect for those chilly evenings or when you’re feeling under the weather. Here are 15 easy steps to help you make your own flavorful bowl of chicken soup.

1. Gather your ingredients:

– 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces

– 8 cups of water

– 3 carrots, peeled and chopped

– 3 celery stalks, chopped

– 1 onion, chopped

– 2 cloves of garlic, minced

– Fresh parsley, chopped

– Salt and pepper, to taste

2. Rinse the chicken pieces under cold water and pat them dry.

3. Place the chicken pieces in a large pot and cover with water, ensuring there’s enough to submerge all the meat.

4. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce the temperature to maintain a steady simmer.

5. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during this process.

6. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the pot at this point.

7. Allow it all to simmer gently for about 1 hour or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

8. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the chicken pieces from the pot.

9. Set aside the cooked chicken for later use—once cooled, it can be shredded or chopped.

10. Optional step: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth if you prefer a clearer soup.

11. Return the broth to a clean pot if you strained it.

12. Bring the broth back up to a simmer and season with salt and pepper as needed.

13. Add your choice of noodles or rice to cook in the broth—or keep it simple without additional carbs.

14. Once the noodles or rice are cooked, add the shredded or chopped chicken back into the pot.

15. Stir in fresh parsley to taste, and serve your homemade chicken soup piping hot with crusty bread on the side.

Congratulations! With these easy steps, you’re now ready to indulge in a bowl of soul-warming, savory chicken soup. Enjoy!