Description
Hearty Mexican chicken soup showcases bold flavors from traditional ingredients. Comforting broth and tender chicken invite diners to savor authentic culinary warmth while experiencing Mexico’s rich gastronomic heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into pieces
Vegetables:
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Herbs, Seasonings, and Extras:
- 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth (preferably low-sodium)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups egg noodles (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Submerge chicken pieces in chicken broth within a spacious cooking vessel, escalating temperature until liquid reaches a vigorous boil, then immediately decrease heat to a gentle, consistent simmer.
- Incorporate diced carrots, chopped celery, minced onion, crushed garlic, aromatic bay leaves, and fragrant thyme into the simmering liquid. Allow the mixture to gently cook for 60-90 minutes, ensuring chicken becomes thoroughly tender and vegetables soften completely.
- Carefully extract chicken from the broth, meticulously separate meat from bones, and discard skeletal remains. Reintroduce shredded chicken back into the simmering liquid.
- Calibrate flavor profile by seasoning with appropriate salt and pepper quantities. Introduce fresh parsley and delicate egg noodles, continuing to cook until pasta reaches optimal tenderness.
- For an enhanced flavor dimension, consider adding a splash of bright, tangy lemon juice just before serving, which will elevate the soup’s overall taste complexity.
Notes
- Choose bone-in chicken pieces for richer, more flavorful broth that develops deeper taste during slow simmering.
- Low and slow cooking helps break down chicken connective tissues, creating silky smooth texture and releasing maximum nutrients.
- Consider using rotisserie chicken as a time-saving alternative for quick preparation, which adds pre-seasoned flavor and reduces total cooking time.
- For gluten-free version, replace traditional egg noodles with zucchini noodles or rice noodles to maintain similar comforting texture and nutritional profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg