Perfectly Balanced Chicken Soup

A warm and comforting bowl of chicken soup is a staple in many households during cold seasons or to just enjoy any time for its delicious taste. This recipe will guide you through creating a nourishing, balanced meal that can serve up to four people.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 cups of water or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)

Cooking Time: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Steps to Prepare the Chicken Soup:

1. Start by preparing your chicken. You can use a whole chicken or chicken parts such as thighs, legs, wings, etc. Rinse it under cold water to ensure cleanliness. Place the chicken in a large pot that is big enough to hold all the ingredients comfortably.

2. In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic; sauté until the onions become translucent, about 5 minutes. Once they are soft and golden, transfer them into your pot with the chicken.

3. Add the carrots, celery, and fresh thyme to the pot along with five cups of water or chicken broth depending on how much soup you desire. Ensure that there is enough liquid so that all ingredients can cook together properly.

4. Bring everything to a boil before reducing heat down to low setting where it gently simmers for at least three hours. The longer the chicken cooks, the more tender and flavorful your soup will be. During this time, you might want to check periodically on the pot to ensure that there's enough liquid; add water if necessary.

5. Once done cooking, carefully remove the chicken from the broth and let it cool slightly before handling. When cooled down enough, shred or tear apart the meat into smaller pieces using forks or your hands. You may discard bones unless you wish to add them back for extra flavor in the soup.

6. Return shredded chicken along with its juices back into the soup pot. Stir gently but thoroughly so that flavors meld together beautifully before adjusting seasoning according to personal preference - adding salt and pepper as needed.

7. Let your creation simmer again for another half hour or until all components have been thoroughly heated through without further cooking them.

8. Taste the soup, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve hot in bowls. Pair this hearty dish with warm bread rolls to make it even more satisfying!

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (calculated for 4 servings): Approximately 300 calories per bowl.

• Fat: ~15g
• Sodium: ~900mg
• Potassium: ~1600mg
• Protein: ~30g

Tips & Tricks:

1. If you're short on time, you can purchase bone-in chicken pieces and pre-made vegetable broth from the store instead of starting with a whole bird. This way, your meal preparation will take less effort and still be delicious.

2. For a richer flavor profile, consider adding herbs like bay leaves or peppercorns to the broth during cooking.

3. To make this dish more nutritious, incorporate leafy greens such as spinach or kale towards the end of your simmering process. These will provide additional vitamins and minerals without affecting taste much.

In conclusion, perfectly balanced chicken soup not only satisfies hunger but also offers numerous health benefits due to its rich nutrient content. Whether you're having it for lunch or dinner during winter months when colds are prevalent, this dish proves invaluable in providing comfort and nourishment simultaneously.