Its bitter outside. But its homey and warm inside. Because a few nights ago I crockpotted a whole chicken, then turned the left overs into a warm chicken soup. So easy you’re going to hate me because you never did this before. So good you’ll love me because you’ll start making it all the time.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 5 lbs)
- chicken broth (about a cup)
- salt
- pepper
- paprika
- peeled orange
- yellow cooking onion, cut into crescent moons
- carrots
- favorite chicken spices (tarragon, thyme, whatever you like. Optional)
Get Cookin’
- thoroughly wash chicken (remove the giblets!), stuff orange segments inside and place in crockpot
- around chicken, place a pound of baby carrots, or regular carrots cut into bite-size pieces, and onion pieces
- sprinkle paprika, salt and pepper (and any optional spices and herbs) on top (to taste)
- pour 1/2 cup to 1 cup chicken broth around chicken
- set crock pot to “slow cook” 8-10 hours.
Check to ensure the internal temp is ideal for chicken, then serve your dinner. Chicken will be very soft and fall off the bone.
Because you’re sure to have leftovers, here’s dinner number two:
Ingredients
- leftovers (above)
- 2-4 stalks celery, cut into moons
- more onions and/or carrots, if necessary
- more chicken broth, if necessary (this depends on how brothy you like it. I don’t usually add any).
Get Cookin’
- STRIP your chicken. Dispose of all bones and skin. You can store the leftovers in the fridge overnight before preparing soup if you would like.
- Combine ingredients in a pot and simmer.
- That’s it. No. Really.
Star Power Rating: Is there anything better than homemade chicken soup on a bitter day? I don’t think so. 5 out of 5.
Notes for Next Time: The huz added a lot more salt and pepper than I did. The directions are “to taste.” I suppose he has better taste. Use your judgement and don’t be shy with your spieces.
© 2009, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.
There is nothing better than homemade chicken soup! I really didn’t know hot to make it until a friend told me how easy it was. I’m sold…homemade anything is better than the canned variety. Happy New Year!