Simple Roasted Chicken Soup Recipe
Don’t Throw Out That Roasted Chicken Carcass
Question: When you roast a whole chicken for dinner or buy a rotisserie chicken at the market, what do you do with the carcass after cutting most of the meat off?
I bet many of you just toss it. I often do but last night I again realized what a mistake this is. Instead use it to make a simple chicken broth you can use to make a quick and easy chicken soup. It cannot be easier and the flavor is so much better than anything you can buy in a can.
I’m not talking about making a classic chicken stock that does take time to do properly. I’m talking about covering the chicken with water in a large saucepan or small soup pot and let it simmer for an hour or more with the lid mostly on.
You can remove most of the already cooked meat and just simmer the carcass or leave whatever meat is on the bird and remove it after you are done. Whatever is easier for you.
Last night, I let the carcass simmer for about a 1-½ hours while I helped the kids with their homework and worked out. When it was done and the liquid had plenty of flavor, I removed the carcass and any remaining bones from the liquid and added some chopped carrots and celery.
While the carrots and celery were cooking, I removed most of the edible meat from the bones and reserved it until the carrots and celery were tender but still a little crunchy. I could have added leeks or fennel or broccoli but this was for my oldest daughter and me and this is what she wanted. You can add whatever you like or want to clean out of the refrigerator. It’s going to be good.
When the vegetables were done, I added the reserved chicken meat and some store bought cheese tortellinis that I just cooked for my younger daughter who doesn’t like chicken soup. I could have added cooked pasta; egg noodles or even cooked the pasta in the chicken broth. It could not be easier. This is a classic shortcut meal.
This simple chicken soup was incredibly flavorful. So much better than any commercial soup you can find. The flavors are fresh and clean without all the salt and artificial flavorings.
And to think, I almost threw out that carcass.
on November 3rd, 2007 at 9:29 pm
WOW! I was just surfing around tonight looking for ideas, and for some reason I found this recipe. Great idea and thanks!!
on November 5th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I do this all the time! In fact, I let mine simmer over a couple days, after adding all kinds of “stuff” from leftovers to dinner scraps. I also purposely purchase roasting chickens much larger than I actually need and plan about 4 meals out of one roasting event!
Love your site - actually gave it a shout out on my blog: http://whitneygang.blogspot.com. Got your site address from Sue S at CHOP - I’m Todd’s wife. I’ve had a blast going through the archives for recipes and tips.
Keep up the great work!
on December 10th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Indeed, it is amazing how much mileage one can get out of a chicken– and like you said, it’s very easy to do! I’m making chicken soup right now from last night’s chicken roast leftovers– I’ll be using winter veggies for my soup ( parsnips, potatoes, carrots, turnips, celery, etc. ) tonite. Wet and chilly out… a great night for some homemade soup by the fireplace!
on November 18th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Will be trying this tomorrow night, going to simmer the carcass today…
on December 18th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Try this guerrilla tactic: After your roast-chicken meal, drop remaining carcass and meat scraps into your crockpot. Throw in a small onion if you like, add water to an inch of the brim, and run the appliance on low overnight.
After breakfast next day, pour everything through a colander, catching the broth below in a second pot. Discard spent meat and bone.
This technique almost effortlessly produces a quart or more of rich chicken broth, ready for seasoning.
Tip: To avoid cooking fumes, I like to conduct this operation outdoors, setting the crockpot under the hood of my barbecue grill.
on August 24th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
i love Chicken Soup it is so yummy.
on September 25th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
i love to eat Chicken Soup, my mom used always serve that dish with me specially when i am sick during my childhood days.
on October 13th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Chicken Soup is one of my favorite dishes of all time. it is very tasty and the ingredients are very available. sometimes i put a dash of chili over my chicken soup because i like it spicy hot.
on January 27th, 2010 at 2:21 am
Thanks for your recipe! It was my first time making chicken noodle soup and it turned out fabulous. Although I actually started with cornish game hen carcasses…
I threw in roughly chopped onion, celery, carrot and some pepper corns into the initial carcass broth. This might not make a difference though, since I added onion, celery, carrot, thyme AFTER straining…
Hi Ann, Game Hen Noodle Soup …. I like it. Thanks for posting. - RG
on February 25th, 2010 at 8:42 am
Great idea. Frugal, too. Stretching those dollars is more important than ever.
You can say that again. - RG
on June 28th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Chicken Soup is THE comfort food for most of us. I love making it and add thawed chopped green chili peppers. Sometime I also add 2 tsp. corn starch with 1/2 cup 1/2/&1/2 and 1/2 cup cream. To either of these changes, I add about 2 tsp. of ground Comino (Cumin). These soups on a chilly evening are like wrapping up in a soft, warm, blanket. Hope you try them and enjoy!
Lynzi
Hi Lynzi, thanks for your ideas, sounds delicious - RG