When someone feels sick or is just plain sad, chicken soup serves as a picker-upper. That is how chicken soup is thought of, anyway. There are even a series of inspirational books based on the chicken soup-as-picker-upper concept.
Ingredients for basic chicken soup
Before going on to cook chicken soup, you should prepare the basic ingredients. You will need chicken, of course both for the broth and the meat. You will also need a large onion, carrots, some celery, and water. Add some salt and pepper for added zest in the flavor. Chicken bouillon granules may also add to the taste. Water is another obvious ingredient.
How to prepare chicken soup
Put your chicken and vegetables in cold water. Heat the ingredients with the pot open. Simmer until the chicken meat separates from the bones. Strain the broth and put in a separate container. Add the salt, pepper, and granules to the broth. Chop the meat, vegetables, and onion. Put these solid pieces back to the broth and stir.
You may also add in herbs with distinctive flavors, such as bay leaf, parsley, sage, and thyme. For those who are not squeamish, chicken feet can add flavor.
