There is something so comforting to a recipe of old fashioned chicken soup. Made on the stove, the smell of this chicken soup cooking will transport you back to your childhood. There is an abundance of veggies and chicken in this soup that will soothe you whether you have a cold or not.
One of my favorite things growing up was my mom’s chicken soup. She made it so often that it seems like we had it every week which excited us all because it was delicious and so comforting.
But because my Dad grew up in the Depression and my mom was naturally thrifty, she used to make her chicken soup with… drumroll please… chicken necks.
Do you realize how many chicken necks you have to eat to feel satisfied? Trust me, it’s a lot. And even though I was thankful that we had such a nice meal, I no longer eat that meat.
Now, I make chicken soup with the whole chicken. I love a lot of chicken in my soup to go along with the vegetables and orzo.
Wait until you try this recipe! You’re going to love it.
Have a pressure cooker and want to try cooking whole chicken soup? Check out my recipe here.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.
Helpful tips
- I usually get organic, free-range chicken because I prefer the taste. I also like that there isn’t any added antibiotics, hormones or anything else I don’t want to ingest. Try buying organic and you’ll never go back.
- They’ve changed their recommendation on whether to wash poultry before cooking it. They now say that washing chicken increases the chances of getting food poisoning and of cross contaminating other things, like tools, surfaces and utensils in the kitchen. Just take it out of the package and pat it dry inside and out with some paper towels.
- I use orzo in my soup but if you prefer, you can add noodles, rice or another small pasta like ditalini.
How to make old fashioned chicken soup
Pre-step
Get a medium stockpot.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – chicken, carrots, celery, onion and chicken broth.
Step two
Dry both inside and outside of the chicken and place it into a medium stockpot. Add chicken broth and turn the heat under the pan to high and bring to a boil.
Step three
Meanwhile, cut the onion, carrots and celery in chunks.
Step four
Lower heat under the pot to a simmer and add veggies and herbs and spices to stockpot. Carefully stir.
Step five
Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Step six
Add orzo and continue cooking for 15 minutes.
Step seven
Take out chicken and remove the meat off the bones. Place chicken pieces back in the stockpot.
I make a salad, take out a crusty roll, butter and then ladle some old fashioned chicken soup into a couple of crocks.
Time to eat.
And one more photo.
Delicious.
I hope you enjoy this old fashioned chicken soup recipe! It’s comforting, delicious and perfect if you have a cold.
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Good Old Fashioned Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 2 – 3 pounds whole organic chicken (washed and dried)
- 1 pound carrots (cut in chunks)
- 1 large onion (cut in chunks)
- 1 stalk celery (cut in slices)
- 32 ounces chicken broth (organic, I use Trader Joe's brand)
- 2 cups water
- bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons basil
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 2 tablespoons tarragon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Instructions
- Place chicken in stockpot and pour chicken broth and water in the pot. Turn heat on high and bring to a boil.
- Immediately lower to a simmer and add carrots, onion, celery, bay leaf, basil, parsley, tarragon, salt and pepper.
- Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Add orzo and stir. Cook for additional 15 minutes.
- Take chicken out of pot and remove meat from bones and return meat back to the pot and stir.
- Ladle chicken soup in some bowls or crocks.
- Eat
- Enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- I usually get organic, free-range chicken because I prefer the taste. I also like that there isn’t any added antibiotics, hormones or anything else I don’t want to ingest. Try buying organic and you’ll never go back.
- They’ve changed their recommendation on whether to wash poultry before cooking it. They now say that washing chicken increases the chances of getting food poisoning and of cross contaminating other things, like tools, surfaces and utensils in the kitchen. Just take it out of the package and pat it dry inside and out with some paper towels.
- I use orzo in my soup but if you prefer, you can add noodles, rice or another small pasta like ditalini.
lisa
I think we were poor too – because my Mom did the same frugal stuff. Being a kid, I was oblivious – it was just the way things were. This chicken soup will be making an appearance on our table this week for sure! Cold weather is a’ comin’!
Elaine
It’s funny how we are oblivious! It’s been freezing cold up here in Boston and has been for a few weeks. I’m looking forward to Wednesday when it goes up to a balmy 28 degrees F. 🙂
Suzy
There is really nothing better than chicken soup made right!
Elaine
I totally agree Suzy! Thanks!
Jill
Yes that does sound thrifty! I’m not sure I’ve eaten the neck. I’m a bit squeamish about raw chicken though – probably not the best thing since I’m a food blogger too. I usually take the easy way out when I make chicken soup and use an already cooked rotisserie chicken and store-bought chicken broth. I need to try this recipe next time.
Elaine
Jill, I get the squeamishness, I feel it too but I just pretend it’s a fake chicken and I’m good. Thanks for your comment!
Marie - Not Enough Cinnamon
I’m not sure I could eat chicken necks – anything that reminds me it used to be a living creature running around and I can’t lol. But your soup however… I would devour easily!!
Elaine
Thanks so much Marie – and I totally agree!!
Amy | The Cook Report
You can’t beat a family recipe, this one for chicken soup looks perfect!
Elaine
Indeed you can’t Amy!! Thank you!
Karly
Sometimes you just can’t beat a classic! This looks so good- perfect for the Arctic temps that are absolutely crushing me right now. Definitely need to try!
Elaine
Thanks Karly! I agree, and it’s frigid here too!
Helene
Yum with Tarragon flavored. It’s such an underrated herb and it does go well with chicken and bay leaf. I hadn’t actually thought of using tarragon that way, what a wonderful soup idea Elaine!
Elaine
Thanks Helene! I almost always put tarragon with my chicken. Thankfully hubby loves it too!
Paige
YUM…this is mouthwatering-looking and I love the organic bent on the recipe. Nice job!
Elaine
Thanks Paige, I appreciate it!
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade
I’ve never made chicken soup, but I do love it. My mom used chicken necks when she made soup when I was a kid, but we never ate the necks. I love that you make the soup with the whole chicken, and then pull it apart at the end. I never would have thought to do that. Pinning this to make very soon
Elaine
Thank you Karyl! Yay! Or not so yay that your mom made it with the necks too. You’re the first person I’ve heard that from. At least you didn’t have to eat the necks 😉
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
Spices for the win!! I love homemade chicken soup and this recipe sounds and looks just delightful! I love the seasoning and orzo pasta here. NOM.
Elaine
Thanks so much Dominique! I love how orzo puffs up the day after!! I almost prefer leftover soup to fresh. Weird, I know.
Ben Myhre
I will use chicken necks for stock and soup ALL DAY LONG!
Elaine
Haha, Ben. And I will watch you as I eat my whole chicken stock 🙂
prasanna hede
That’s a delicious looking soup! I liked the way you narrated the whole story.
Elaine
Thanks Prasanna!
Julie
Everyone needs a good, classic chicken soup recipe in their arsenal! It’s been so bitter cold and snowy here, this looks like the perfect way to warm up.
Elaine
Thanks Julie!! Yes, freezing weather here too! I made my second pot of soup in 2 weeks.
Christine
There is nothing better than a scratch-made chicken soup – This reminds me of the one my Grandma made when we were young. It made the whole house smell amazing!
Elaine
It really does Christine!
Kate
Nothing like a good hearty soup in the winter time! Those bowls! Soooo cute! I love hand thrown pottery.
Elaine
Thanks Kate!! They are thrift store finds!
Tatiana
Good chicken noodle soup always brings my family together around the table! It’s all about good vibes and friendly atmosphere, and of course the delicious taste of soup.
Elaine
Thanks so much for your comment, Tatiana! I so agree!
elcitrakale
nothing goes wrong with good warm and delicious soup in these freeze days. İt’s most scrumptious looking soup İ’ve seen this week. YUM!
Elaine
Thank you Citra!
Erica @ The Crumby Kitchen
Perfect, soul-soothing comfort food, just the way I like it! There’s only one thing I want when I’m sick, and this looks an awful lot like it. 🙂
Elaine
Thanks Erica! It is so nice when one is under the weather!
aish das padihari
I haven’t made a good chicken soup in months. Your version looks so good. I use a lot of bay leaf in my cooking as well. I think its a staple in my cooking
Elaine
Thanks Aish!
Monica | Nourish & Fete
This looks like the perfect bowl of comforting soup! You’re right – something about family recipes always sets them apart. I especially love the addition of tarragon here!
Elaine
Thanks Monica!!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
My family was relatively thrifty in my formative years. We often shopped and sold our old clothes at second hand stores and even went so far as to hike out into the wildness and pick fresh berries for jams and other preserves, but I don’t remember any chicken neck soup. That sounds both thrifty and like quite the labor-intensive eating experience!
Elaine
Hehe, Claire. Indeed it was. I love when people tell me their stories as you did. Thank you.
christopher
Love the silky smooth texture of this broth. Super comfort food. And satisfying.
Elaine
It’s heavenly, isn’t it?