Chicken Soup

Chicken Soup

A hearty, deeply flavoured chicken soup with vegetables, fresh herbs, and a hint of tarragon. Served over rice with hot sauce. The kind of soup that actually makes you feel better.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 1 hr 45 min Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 lb chicken thighs, chopped into roughly 1/2-inch strips
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • Garlic (optional, to taste)
  • Fresh tarragon (or other herbs — tarragon is particularly good here)
  • 1 litre (4 cups) liquid — a mix of beer and chicken stock works very well
  • Salt and pepper
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • Handful of fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
  • 1 cup rice (to serve)
  • Hot sauce and sliced serranos (to serve)

Instructions

  1. Heat a little oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken strips for a few minutes until starting to colour.
  2. Add the chopped onion and cook for a minute or so.
  3. Add the carrots and celery. Cook for another minute.
  4. Add the garlic (if using) and herbs.
  5. Pour in the stock and beer mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  6. Simmer gently for about 1 hour 40 minutes (the original notes say ~100 minutes).
  7. At the end, stir in the green onions and parsley or cilantro.
  8. Cook the rice separately according to your preferred method.
  9. {"To serve"=>"place a scoop of rice in each bowl using an ice cream scoop for a neat presentation. Ladle the hot soup around the rice. Offer hot sauce and sliced serranos at the table."}

Notes

  • Beer in the soup: The original notes suggest beer + chicken stock as the liquid. A light lager or wheat beer works well and adds subtle depth.
  • Tarragon: Strongly recommended — its anise flavour is the secret ingredient that makes this soup taste special.
  • Rice presentation: The ice cream scoop method for the rice is a lovely touch — it gives a neat dome of rice in each bowl.
  • Adjust as you go: Taste at the end and adjust seasoning, acidity (a squeeze of lemon), or heat as needed.

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