I feel crappy and I need homemade chicken soup
October 27, 2021 10:42 AM Subscribe
I need homemade chicken soup recipes I can make in an hour or so, instead of overnight.
I like to flavor with garlic, throw some carrots in, simple and straightforward stuff like that.
My housemate can run out for ingredients.
Soup me?
Seconding having your housemate get a rotisserie chicken, celery and onions. We usually pull off all the meat and then simmer the carcass and some of the skin (depending on how much fat you want in your broth). Add in your garlic and carrots. An hour is plenty to get delicious broth. We usually get three pots of broth out of one rotisserie chicken. Add in chunks of chicken as desired. Add hot sauce if desired.
posted by spamandkimchi at 10:51 AM on October 27, 2021 [12 favorites]
posted by spamandkimchi at 10:51 AM on October 27, 2021 [12 favorites]
p.s. I use the Smart & Final chain chicken, others swear by other grocery stores, people with Costco cards use Costco's chicken but really for your purposes, any store bought rotisserie chicken will do.
posted by spamandkimchi at 10:53 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by spamandkimchi at 10:53 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
I haven't tried it, but I remember noticing this Consumer Reports chicken noodle soup recipe that they liked better than the canned soups they tried. I imagine you could add garlic and carrots to it.
posted by dywypi at 10:57 AM on October 27, 2021
posted by dywypi at 10:57 AM on October 27, 2021
Pretty sure you can't do it in one hour if you start with a raw chicken, unless you have a pressure cooker / magic pot (tm).
You can save some time by starting with canned or boxed broth (or even chicken boullion cubes) and as many other said, rotisserie chicken. Eat the meat, save the bones for broth making later.
posted by kschang at 11:15 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
You can save some time by starting with canned or boxed broth (or even chicken boullion cubes) and as many other said, rotisserie chicken. Eat the meat, save the bones for broth making later.
posted by kschang at 11:15 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
If housemate grabs some cheesecloth as well, that makes it super easy to bundle up some bones and cuttings (fat and skin, etc) and drop it in the broth to cook in. That will really help make it richer!
No one has mentioned noodles, and I'm not sure if you want them, but a bag of egg noodles is cheap and adds some extra body. Just add a handful, they'll expand.
Don't forget to add some thyme, pepper, and maybe a pinch of chili flakes to the broth to flavor it up. Garlic and onion powder also help if you find you didn't simmer enough to begin with.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:17 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
No one has mentioned noodles, and I'm not sure if you want them, but a bag of egg noodles is cheap and adds some extra body. Just add a handful, they'll expand.
Don't forget to add some thyme, pepper, and maybe a pinch of chili flakes to the broth to flavor it up. Garlic and onion powder also help if you find you didn't simmer enough to begin with.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:17 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Sometimes you can find frozen homestyle egg noodles in the frozen foods section. Like this. It's a low effort way to get some good hearty noodles in your soup.
posted by beandip at 11:18 AM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by beandip at 11:18 AM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
If you're not too demanding, you can actually make a decent soup fairly quickly. I've made quick soup when my wife is sick before by just sauteeing some breasts and veggies (she likes zucchini), then pouring broth over it. If you want something carb-ier but don't want to deal with noodles, you can dump instant rice in. Or if that's too much, you can get the 90 second microwave rice. That'll give you ready-to-eat soup in less than a half hour. If you use rotisserie chicken, it'll be even less. Will it be the best soup you've ever eaten? No, but if you're not in position to be picky, it'll get the job done.
Internet cooks say that adding a package of unflavored gelatin to your soup makes quick soup like this taste better. I haven't tried it, though.
If you anticipate being in need of chicken soup for a while, you can take a two-stage approach where you buy two rotisserie chickens, use one to make the quick soup I described above, then use its carcass to start making stock so that when you're ready for more soup, you'll have something better.
posted by kevinbelt at 11:29 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Internet cooks say that adding a package of unflavored gelatin to your soup makes quick soup like this taste better. I haven't tried it, though.
If you anticipate being in need of chicken soup for a while, you can take a two-stage approach where you buy two rotisserie chickens, use one to make the quick soup I described above, then use its carcass to start making stock so that when you're ready for more soup, you'll have something better.
posted by kevinbelt at 11:29 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
If you want the really lazy version that I would make in peace corps- bullion cubes, carrots, onion, garlic, honestly whatever other veg you want to throw in, cooked chicken from the market (grab a rotisserie chicken at the store) and egg noodles (I would make them but again, shelf stable from the store.)
Obviously you could get fancier with stuff but that usually starts added cooking time. A lot of the store bought broth or stock I’ve bought isn’t usually that flavorful which bullion cubes are easier but ymmv
posted by raccoon409 at 11:39 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Obviously you could get fancier with stuff but that usually starts added cooking time. A lot of the store bought broth or stock I’ve bought isn’t usually that flavorful which bullion cubes are easier but ymmv
posted by raccoon409 at 11:39 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
"Better than Bouillon" makes a great base to start soups -- will for sure help jump-start the flavor you're looking for. Around me, it's available in most major supermarkets and for sure at places like Whole Foods.
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:40 AM on October 27, 2021 [10 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:40 AM on October 27, 2021 [10 favorites]
In my fancy grocery store they have bone broth in the freezer section. It’s pretty great stuff. If your roommate finds that they should get it. You can stretch it out with regular swanson’s or whatever other stock if you want to.
They should also pick up cooked chicken, not raw. A rotisserie chicken is good, if the deli case has plain cooked chicken breasts that’s also good, some stores around here have shredded chicken meat in small containers in the grab and go section next to other high protein snacks.
If you want starch in there, egg noodles cook up fast. Rice is also pretty fast, so is orzo pasta. You should cook them separately so they don’t absorb all the broth.
Chop half an onion and a stalk of celery into small pieces. Cook it in your pot with a little oil on medium, you want them to sweat but not really brown. Cut carrots into coins and smash some garlic, and put those in the pot too. Add salt, pepper, a little water just to cover and put on the lid, let things come to a gentle simmer, keep it low. If you have dill and/or parsley, mince a handful of it and set it aside. If you have dried versions, you can put it in with the vegetables.
Take another pot out and fill it with water and set it to boil in preparation for your starch.
When your roommate comes back, thaw the bone broth in the microwave and add it to the pot with the vegetables. Add more stock or salted water as needed and taste for saltiness. Put your noodles, pasta, or rice into your other pot with plain water and cook them, get a strainer out and ready. Break down your chicken if needed, add it to the soup along with any fresh herbs. If you have leaves on your celery you could add those too. Keep the soup at a low simmer to evenly heat things through.
When your starch is couple minutes from done, strain and add to the soup. Simmer the soup for five more minutes or so for them to finish cooking through and combine.
If you want to be decadent, melt a pat of butter in there. If you have a rotisserie chicken with the skin on, you can set the skin aside, cut it into strips, and fry it in a separate pan until crispy and top your soup with them (cronchy!) If you don’t want to deal with a second pot and boiling water etc but still want carbs, you can add potatoes chopped small in with the carrots, or have toasted buttered bread on the side for dipping. I like to add fresh pepper too.
posted by Mizu at 12:08 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
They should also pick up cooked chicken, not raw. A rotisserie chicken is good, if the deli case has plain cooked chicken breasts that’s also good, some stores around here have shredded chicken meat in small containers in the grab and go section next to other high protein snacks.
If you want starch in there, egg noodles cook up fast. Rice is also pretty fast, so is orzo pasta. You should cook them separately so they don’t absorb all the broth.
Chop half an onion and a stalk of celery into small pieces. Cook it in your pot with a little oil on medium, you want them to sweat but not really brown. Cut carrots into coins and smash some garlic, and put those in the pot too. Add salt, pepper, a little water just to cover and put on the lid, let things come to a gentle simmer, keep it low. If you have dill and/or parsley, mince a handful of it and set it aside. If you have dried versions, you can put it in with the vegetables.
Take another pot out and fill it with water and set it to boil in preparation for your starch.
When your roommate comes back, thaw the bone broth in the microwave and add it to the pot with the vegetables. Add more stock or salted water as needed and taste for saltiness. Put your noodles, pasta, or rice into your other pot with plain water and cook them, get a strainer out and ready. Break down your chicken if needed, add it to the soup along with any fresh herbs. If you have leaves on your celery you could add those too. Keep the soup at a low simmer to evenly heat things through.
When your starch is couple minutes from done, strain and add to the soup. Simmer the soup for five more minutes or so for them to finish cooking through and combine.
If you want to be decadent, melt a pat of butter in there. If you have a rotisserie chicken with the skin on, you can set the skin aside, cut it into strips, and fry it in a separate pan until crispy and top your soup with them (cronchy!) If you don’t want to deal with a second pot and boiling water etc but still want carbs, you can add potatoes chopped small in with the carrots, or have toasted buttered bread on the side for dipping. I like to add fresh pepper too.
posted by Mizu at 12:08 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
The basic soup is: chop one onion, two carrots, three celery stalks, and mince two cloves of garlic and about an inch of peeled ginger, then sauté them all in oil until the onion is soft. Many grocery stores have pre-chopped vegetables either in the fresh or the frozen area. Then you can add about 32 ounces of broth of your choice (carton, can, or cubes/paste and water), all the other chopped vegetables you want, and optionally some chicken chunks (the canned chicken is better than you'd think, or get the pre-cooked shredded chicken from the deli area). Then simmer until the vegetables are bite-able, add two cups' each of your preferred noodles and frozen peas for the last few minutes. Correct the seasoning, ta-da.
In an Instant Pot you can do sauté mode for the first part, add everything except the noodles and frozen peas and go manual mode, high pressure, ten minutes, quick release, then back to sauté for the noodles and peas. Better Than Bouillon is indeed very delicious but you have to double the amount it says to use for real good flavor. If you don't have access to that, the flavor packets from five Top Ramen packs plus some hot sauce are pretty good, and as a bonus, the noodles cook really fast.
posted by blnkfrnk at 12:18 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
In an Instant Pot you can do sauté mode for the first part, add everything except the noodles and frozen peas and go manual mode, high pressure, ten minutes, quick release, then back to sauté for the noodles and peas. Better Than Bouillon is indeed very delicious but you have to double the amount it says to use for real good flavor. If you don't have access to that, the flavor packets from five Top Ramen packs plus some hot sauce are pretty good, and as a bonus, the noodles cook really fast.
posted by blnkfrnk at 12:18 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
This chicken stew recipe fulfills your timeline and it's easy. My kids ate it - that's the first soup they've ever deigned to eat and they loved it. I added a splash of miso paste to my broth.
posted by Knowyournuts at 1:02 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Knowyournuts at 1:02 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Chop
1 cup onion
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup sliced celery
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat 1 T oil over medium high heat. Add 1 pound boneless chicken breasts.
Cook 3 minutes per side or until lightly browned. Remove chicken and set
aside
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Add onion. Cook and stir 3 minuites, or until softened.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Add
4 1/2 cups water
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves
...and bring to a boil.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Add carrots, celery, 1 package ZATARAIN'S Yellow Rice, and chicken.
Reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove chicken again.
Cover and cook 20 more minutes
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove bay leaves. Shred chicken and return to soup.
posted by Ipsifendus at 1:13 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
1 cup onion
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup sliced celery
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat 1 T oil over medium high heat. Add 1 pound boneless chicken breasts.
Cook 3 minutes per side or until lightly browned. Remove chicken and set
aside
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Add onion. Cook and stir 3 minuites, or until softened.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Add
4 1/2 cups water
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves
...and bring to a boil.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Add carrots, celery, 1 package ZATARAIN'S Yellow Rice, and chicken.
Reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove chicken again.
Cover and cook 20 more minutes
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove bay leaves. Shred chicken and return to soup.
posted by Ipsifendus at 1:13 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
I had a similar need recently and Smitten Kitchen’s chicken, leek, and rice soup really delivered. Ready within an hour, so substantial and comforting. Leeks are sometimes available precut or frozen, if you want to spare yourself the cleaning and chopping. You can skip the parsley and red pepper, but the lemon gives it a little boost.
You must use chicken thighs for this recipe, it’s critical. Chicken breast will not get good results.
posted by punchtothehead at 1:56 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
You must use chicken thighs for this recipe, it’s critical. Chicken breast will not get good results.
posted by punchtothehead at 1:56 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Here, the frozen chicken broth would be the best option, and it would be very good. We can get frozen with no additives, whereas canned has some.
Alternatively, a pressure cooker can convert the bones of a charcuterie chicken into something delicious in 45 minutes.
In your situation, I'd go with the frozen broth and a packet of fresh tortellini. Heat up the broth to a simmer, add the tortellini and cook till they are done, 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and maybe grated cheese, share with roommate, go back to bed.
posted by mumimor at 2:09 PM on October 27, 2021
Alternatively, a pressure cooker can convert the bones of a charcuterie chicken into something delicious in 45 minutes.
In your situation, I'd go with the frozen broth and a packet of fresh tortellini. Heat up the broth to a simmer, add the tortellini and cook till they are done, 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and maybe grated cheese, share with roommate, go back to bed.
posted by mumimor at 2:09 PM on October 27, 2021
Seconding Better Than Bouillon. Also, throw on a couple tbsp of flour into the pan once your veggies are done cooking, stir it a minute, then add a couple cups of broth and simmer till it thickens a bit. Add it all to the soup pot and stir well. It thickens the soup a touch and makes it silky.
If I'm really sick (or I'm making soup for someone who is) though, I make souse. It's from the Bahamas and is like chicken soup and fire cider had a baby. Clears sinuses a treat! Just add some serranos, jalapenos, and a LOT of garlic to the veggies you're sauteeing, and a heaping tbsp of pickling spices to the broth, along with a healthy glug of both cider vinegar and lime juice. Skip noodles and dump in a can of hominy corn (drained). I use cut up fried chicken instead of rotisserie for this, and eat it with cornbread and honey to ease the spice. Intense but delicious!
posted by ananci at 5:23 PM on October 27, 2021
If I'm really sick (or I'm making soup for someone who is) though, I make souse. It's from the Bahamas and is like chicken soup and fire cider had a baby. Clears sinuses a treat! Just add some serranos, jalapenos, and a LOT of garlic to the veggies you're sauteeing, and a heaping tbsp of pickling spices to the broth, along with a healthy glug of both cider vinegar and lime juice. Skip noodles and dump in a can of hominy corn (drained). I use cut up fried chicken instead of rotisserie for this, and eat it with cornbread and honey to ease the spice. Intense but delicious!
posted by ananci at 5:23 PM on October 27, 2021
I make soup with the carcass of a rotisserie chicken and it's really good. I do it often enough that I can start it, so other stuff, and not feel too much time pressure. if you can't so that, good broth can be bought, and I like to add a little chicken Better Than Bouillon. I always start with sauteed onions, and usually add carrots.
Add chicken Italian sausage and lots of kale
Add cauliflower and serve with hot sauce
Add a stick of chorizo, potatoes, kale, maybe some lentils.
Serve with noodles, rice, or crusty bread.
I think it's better to vary the soup and herbs so I don't get tired of it, but I don't really get tired of it.
posted by theora55 at 7:33 PM on October 27, 2021
Add chicken Italian sausage and lots of kale
Add cauliflower and serve with hot sauce
Add a stick of chorizo, potatoes, kale, maybe some lentils.
Serve with noodles, rice, or crusty bread.
I think it's better to vary the soup and herbs so I don't get tired of it, but I don't really get tired of it.
posted by theora55 at 7:33 PM on October 27, 2021
Epicurious has Pro Chef Dan Giusti turn 2 rotisserie chickens into 4 meals for about $3 per portion. The final one used chicken carcass and veggies for chicken stock, then added chicken meat, and roux, then added tin biscuits and the whole thing goes into the oven. Too bad I don't have a full size oven or I'd give this a try.
posted by kschang at 6:22 AM on October 28, 2021
posted by kschang at 6:22 AM on October 28, 2021
This is the chicken soup I always want when I'm sick. It takes 50 min, and has garlic and carrots. We use Better than Bouillon. You can use a rotisserie chicken, or poach a chicken breast while the veggies are cooking.
posted by amarynth at 6:33 AM on October 28, 2021
posted by amarynth at 6:33 AM on October 28, 2021
I had chicken soup last night! Lots of good advice above so I hope you're squared away. My tip is to add turmeric, after trying it once I no longer make it any other way.
posted by counterfeitfake at 8:54 AM on October 29, 2021
posted by counterfeitfake at 8:54 AM on October 29, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you can’t buy prepped food, can you start gently browning onions and limp-but-not-icky fridge veg while your housemate runs out for chicken thighs?
posted by clew at 10:47 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]