Croatian Chicken Soup
Warm up with a bowl of comforting Croatian Chicken Soup, a heartwarming classic brimming with rich flavors and wholesome ingredients. This traditional recipe starts with a whole chicken simmered to tender perfection alongside an aromatic medley of vegetables like carrots, parsnip, leek, and celery root, creating a deeply flavorful broth infused with garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. The soup is finished with tender egg noodles and shredded chicken, offering a satisfying balance of textures in every bite. Perfect for chilly days or as a nourishing meal, this authentic chicken soup is both simple and soul-soothing. Garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and aroma, it’s a timeless dish that brings a touch of Croatian culinary tradition to your table. Ideal for family dinners or meal prepping, this soup will quickly become a beloved staple.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 about 3–4 lbs whole chicken
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 medium parsnip
- 0.5 small celery root
- 1 medium leek
- 1 medium onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 bay leaves
- 10 black peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons, or to taste salt
- 10 cups water
- 2 cups, cooked egg noodles or homemade noodles
Instructions
Rinse the whole chicken thoroughly under cold water and remove any excess fat or giblets, if included. Place it in a large stockpot.
Peel the carrots, parsnip, and celery root, and cut them into large chunks. Trim and wash the leek thoroughly to remove any dirt, then chop it into a few pieces. Peel the onion and leave it whole.
Add the prepared vegetables, garlic cloves, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and 2 teaspoons of salt to the stockpot with the chicken.
Pour 10 cups of water into the pot, making sure the chicken and vegetables are fully submerged.
Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for about 90–120 minutes. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during simmering.
After 90 minutes, check the chicken for doneness. The meat should be very tender and easily pull away from the bone. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly.
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl or another pot to remove the vegetables and spices. Discard the solids or save the vegetables for another use, if desired.
Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with more salt if needed.
Cook the egg noodles or homemade noodles according to package instructions or your preferred recipe, then drain and set aside.
Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding the skin and bones.
To serve, place a portion of cooked noodles into each soup bowl. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and add some shredded chicken to each serving.
Garnish the soup with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy your homemade Croatian chicken soup!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1267 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 26.1 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.1 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 190 mg | 63% | |
| Sodium | 5276 mg | 229% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 212.5 g | 77% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.2 g | 97% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.3 g | ||
| Protein | 58.0 g | 116% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 558 mg | 43% | |
| Iron | 12.4 mg | 69% | |
| Potassium | 2577 mg | 55% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
