Chicken Soup Recipe

Here's a simple and delicious recipe for plain chicken soup:

Ingredients:

- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), cut into pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 cups water or chicken broth
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   - Rinse the chicken pieces under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
   - Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

2. Saute Vegetables:
   - In a large pot, heat a bit of oil over medium heat.
   - Add chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.

3. Add Chicken:
   - Place the seasoned chicken pieces in the pot with sautéed vegetables.

4. Add Liquid
   - Pour in 8 cups of water or chicken broth to the pot. If using water, you may want to add a chicken bouillon cube for extra flavor.

5. Season and Simmer:
   - Add a bay leaf to the pot for additional flavor.
   - Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
   - Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer for at least 1 to 1.5 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

6. Remove Chicken and Shred:
   - Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly.
   - Shred the chicken meat using forks, discarding the bones and skin.

7. Return Shredded Chicken:
   - Return the shredded chicken to the pot.

8. Adjust Seasoning:
   - Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt or pepper if necessary.

9. Serve:
   - Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

This plain chicken soup is comforting and versatile. You can customize it by adding cooked noodles, rice, or additional vegetables if you like. Enjoy.