CHICKEN SOUP 3 WAYS

Chicken Soup 3 Ways image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

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8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
One 3-pound chicken, quartered into 2 leg pieces and 2 on-the-bone breast pieces (save the backbone to make chicken stock)
Kosher salt
2 to 3 small carrots, thinly sliced
3 stalks celery with leaves, thinly sliced and leaves roughly chopped
Combo 1: 4 cups baby spinach, one 15-ounce can drained chickpeas and 1 to 2 tablespoons harissa (depending on the brand)
Combo 2: 1 cup cubed tofu, 1 cup cooked broccoli and 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
Combo 3: 1 cup cooked quinoa, 2 ounces sliced ham cut into ribbons and 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Steps:

Make the soup: Add the broth and 4 cups water to a large soup pot and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt. Submerge the chicken pieces in the broth. When the broth starts to boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the breast and tender start to separate, about 15 minutes, then remove with tongs or a large strainer. Continue simmering the leg pieces until the meat pulls away from the bone, about 10 more minutes. Remove the legs from the pot and set aside. When the meat is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and shred the meat by hand.
Add the carrots and celery stalks (reserve the leaves) to the soup and simmer until tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the shredded chicken until just heated through, about 3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Season with salt, stir in the celery leaves and cool to room temperature.
Divide the soup into three 4-cup servings and freeze in containers for up to 1 month.
To reheat: Thaw a container of soup and bring to a low boil in a medium saucepan. Add the desired combo mix-ins and cook for a just a few minutes to heat through. Serve.