How to Make Healthy Soup

Bring the water and chicken broth to a simmer., Add the chicken breasts, and simmer for 6 minutes, then let it stand off-heat until the chicken is cooked through., Take the chicken out of the broth, let it cook, then shred it to smaller pieces...

17 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Bring the water and chicken broth to a simmer.

    Pour 4 cups (950 milliliters) of water and ¾ cups (180 milliliters) of low-sodium chicken broth into a 2 or 3-quart (2 or 3-liter) saucepan, and bring it to a simmer over medium-low heat.

    Using a low-sodium chicken broth is the first step to creating a healthier chicken soup., Add 1 pound (454 grams) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the saucepan, and simmer uncovered for 6 minutes.

    Next, take the saucepan off the burner, cover it with a lid, and let it stand (off-heat) until the chicken is cooked through.

    This will take about 15 minutes.

    The chicken is cooked through when it is no longer pink inside and the juices run clear.

    Do not undercook the chicken. , Using a pair of tongs, take the chicken out of the broth, and let it cool on a plate for 10 minutes.

    Then, using a knife and fork, shred the chicken to ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) wide, 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) long pieces.

    Set the broth aside for later. , Peel and chop 1 medium-sized onion, then add it to a heavy-bottomed 4-quart (4-liter) pot with 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of oil.

    Let the onion cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens.

    This will take about 6 minutes.

    Do not let the onion turn brown or caramelize. , Peel 1 garlic glove, mince it, then add it to the pot with the onion.

    Continue cooking, stirring from time to time, until the garlic turns fragrant.

    This will take about 1 minute. , Cut the carrots and celery into ⅓-inch (0.85-centimeter) thick slices, then add them to the pot.

    Add ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.

    Cover the pot with a lid, and let the vegetables cook until they turn soft.

    This will take about 8 to 10 minutes.

    Give the vegetables a stir every so often so that they don't burn and cook more evenly.

    Don't worry about cooking the vegetables all the way through.

    You will continue cooking them in the next step. , Take the water-and-chicken broth mixture from before, and pour it into your saucepan over the vegetables.

    Give it a stir, then simmer it, covered, over low to medium-low heat until the vegetables turn tender.

    This will take about 10 minutes. , Give everything a stir, then ladle it out into 4 soup bowls and serve.

    If you have any soup left over, you can store it in the fridge or freezer.
  2. Step 2: Add the chicken breasts

  3. Step 3: and simmer for 6 minutes

  4. Step 4: then let it stand off-heat until the chicken is cooked through.

  5. Step 5: Take the chicken out of the broth

  6. Step 6: let it cook

  7. Step 7: then shred it to smaller pieces.

  8. Step 8: Cook the onion in the oil in a separate pot over medium heat until it softens.

  9. Step 9: Add the garlic

  10. Step 10: then cook for another minute.

  11. Step 11: Add the rest of the vegetables and seasoning

  12. Step 12: then continue cooking until everything turns soft.

  13. Step 13: Add the chicken broth and simmer

  14. Step 14: covered

  15. Step 15: for 10 minutes.

  16. Step 16: Take the pot off the heat

  17. Step 17: then add the shredded chicken and chopped parsley.

Detailed Guide

Pour 4 cups (950 milliliters) of water and ¾ cups (180 milliliters) of low-sodium chicken broth into a 2 or 3-quart (2 or 3-liter) saucepan, and bring it to a simmer over medium-low heat.

Using a low-sodium chicken broth is the first step to creating a healthier chicken soup., Add 1 pound (454 grams) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the saucepan, and simmer uncovered for 6 minutes.

Next, take the saucepan off the burner, cover it with a lid, and let it stand (off-heat) until the chicken is cooked through.

This will take about 15 minutes.

The chicken is cooked through when it is no longer pink inside and the juices run clear.

Do not undercook the chicken. , Using a pair of tongs, take the chicken out of the broth, and let it cool on a plate for 10 minutes.

Then, using a knife and fork, shred the chicken to ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) wide, 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) long pieces.

Set the broth aside for later. , Peel and chop 1 medium-sized onion, then add it to a heavy-bottomed 4-quart (4-liter) pot with 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of oil.

Let the onion cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens.

This will take about 6 minutes.

Do not let the onion turn brown or caramelize. , Peel 1 garlic glove, mince it, then add it to the pot with the onion.

Continue cooking, stirring from time to time, until the garlic turns fragrant.

This will take about 1 minute. , Cut the carrots and celery into ⅓-inch (0.85-centimeter) thick slices, then add them to the pot.

Add ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.

Cover the pot with a lid, and let the vegetables cook until they turn soft.

This will take about 8 to 10 minutes.

Give the vegetables a stir every so often so that they don't burn and cook more evenly.

Don't worry about cooking the vegetables all the way through.

You will continue cooking them in the next step. , Take the water-and-chicken broth mixture from before, and pour it into your saucepan over the vegetables.

Give it a stir, then simmer it, covered, over low to medium-low heat until the vegetables turn tender.

This will take about 10 minutes. , Give everything a stir, then ladle it out into 4 soup bowls and serve.

If you have any soup left over, you can store it in the fridge or freezer.

About the Author

J

Jean Cooper

Enthusiastic about teaching practical skills techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.

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