Chicken soup facts for kids
A classic preparation of chicken noodle soup made with a stewing hen and flavored with thyme and black pepper
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| Course | Soup |
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| Main ingredients | Chicken |
Chicken soup is a warm, tasty soup made from chicken cooked in water. It often includes other ingredients too. A classic chicken soup has a clear chicken broth. It usually has pieces of chicken or vegetables.
People often add pasta, dumplings, or grains like rice and barley. Many people think chicken soup helps when they have a cold or flu. It's also known as a comfort food in many places.
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Making Chicken Soup
Making chicken soup is quite simple! You can add different root vegetables to change the flavor. These include parsnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and celery root. Herbs like parsley and dill are also popular. Other vegetables like zucchini, whole garlic cloves, or tomatoes can be added. Don't forget black pepper for a little kick!
To cook, slowly bring the soup to a boil. Then, let it simmer gently in a covered pot. This should be done on a very low heat for one to three hours. You can add more water if needed.
For a clearer broth, you can skim off fat drops while it cooks. Another trick is to boil the chicken in cold water first. Then, throw out that water before continuing. You can also strain the soup through a strainer or cheesecloth. Sometimes, saffron or turmeric is added to give the soup a yellow color. After cooking, the chicken can be shredded and kept in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
Healthy Benefits of Chicken Soup
Chicken soup can be a low-fat meal. After cooking, you can chill the soup. A layer of fat will form on top, which you can easily remove.
Studies show that cooking bones in soup for a long time increases the amount of calcium in the soup. This makes it even healthier for your bones!
Types of Chicken Soups
When we say "chicken soup," it usually means a thin broth. This broth has pieces of meat, maybe vegetables, and often noodles, rice, barley, or dumplings.
Cream of chicken soup is different. It's a thick, creamy soup. It's made with chicken stock and chicken pieces. Milk or cream and flour are added to make it thick. It might also have vegetable pieces.
Here are some terms you might hear about chicken soups:
- Chicken broth is the liquid part of chicken soup. You can drink broth on its own. It can also be used as a base for other dishes.
- Chicken stock is a liquid made by simmering chicken bones and vegetables. It's usually an ingredient for more complex meals. Stock is not typically served on its own.
Images for kids
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Cream of Chicken Soup
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Soto ayam, a version of chicken soup popular in Indonesia
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Kreplach shaped in the form of hamantashen float in a bowl of chicken soup made for the Purim seudah.
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Samgyetang, a Korean chicken soup
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A bowl of Tinola, a chicken soup from the Philippines
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American style Chicken Noodle Soup.
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Canned chicken soup (not condensed)
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Waterzooi made with chicken, potatoes and cream
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Homemade chicken soup with elbow macaroni, chicken pieces, carrots and celery
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Chicken soup with dark, leafy greens
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Southern Chinese-style chicken soup with mushrooms and corn pieces
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Homemade chicken noodle soup cooking
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See also
In Spanish: Caldo de pollo para niños
